Kentucky

Who could be the Next Kentucky Football Commitment?

Published

2 years ago

June 27, 2024

Who could be the Next Kentucky Football Commitment?

Big Blue Nation received some surprising, welcome news on Thursday afternoon when Cedric “CJ” Works announced his commitment to Kentucky.

A four-star talent, Works became the highest-ranked player in Kentucky’s 2025 recruiting class, vaulting the Wildcats up to No. 24 nationally in the On3 Team Industry Rankings. Ranked as the No. 143 player overall, he is the third Top 200 player in the class, joining DB Martels Carter and RB Marquise Davis.

Vince Marrow’s work is far from finished. Another Top 200 player may join the fold with a few other impressive prospects.

Thank you to today’s sponsor, our friend Andy Luedecke at MyPerfectFranchise. Andy is a huge college sports fan and franchise veteran, having owned multiple franchises and businesses. Using his expertise, he helps others find their American Dream through a very thorough consultation and evaluation process.

If you are wanting to find a way out of corporate America, wanting a side-hustle business, or a way to diversify…..reach out to Andy, as he’s got a ton of knowledge in this world and best of all, his services are 100% free to you – always! After you finish this post, you can learn more or reach Andy at [email protected].

Tight End Off the Board

Before we get to the good news, there’s some bad news we must share. For the second straight year, Ohio State stepped in to snag a tight end from Cleveland that was on the verge of pulling the trigger and committing to Kentucky. A year ago it was Damarion Witten. This summer the Cats are missing out on Brody Lennon.

Lennon is an exceptional athlete for his size. If he camped at Ohio State, he was probably going to get an offer. Lennon did not make the trip to Columbus for a few weeks. He changed his mind just a few days away from his official visit to Kentucky. Lennon earned the offer, officially visited a week later, then pulled the trigger and committed to today. Ya can’t win ’em all, especially against Ohio State for kids from Ohio.

The On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine (RPM) nailed the Works commitment, despite significant interest from Penn State and Florida. The RPM Machine believes the Cats are staying hot.

Despite multiple picks from 247 Alabama insiders, Kentucky leads the way for Frankfort DL Javeon Campbell, the No. 167 player in America. An impressive Ohio athlete who visited last week, Top 200 CB Dawayne Galloway, is trending toward Kentucky according to On3’s RPM.

Kentucky has one offensive tackle in the fold, but two more bricks may soon be added to the Big Blue Wall. The Wildcats are the favorite to land Jermiel Atkins, who announces his commitment on July 4. On Thursday On3’s Steve Wiltfong submitted an RPM pick for Kentucky to land Florida offensive tackle Bryan Auguste, who officially visited earlier this month.

Although the RPM machine isn’t buying all the way in, Adam Luckett shared on 11 Personnel that he believes Kalen Edwards is another one to closely keep an eye on. The Tennessee athlete is a true nose tackle prospect who is an ideal fit in Kentucky’s 3-4 defense.

Learn more about Andy Luedecke and franchise ownership through these resources:
Andy’s Story
Why a Franchise
Service Based vs Brick and Mortar
Semi Absentee Ownership
The Process and How It works

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Kentucky

Former Kentucky FOP spokesperson pleads guilty to wire fraud

Published

4 hours ago

May 14, 2026

Press Room

Former Kentucky FOP spokesperson pleads guilty to wire fraud

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WAVE) – A former spokesperson for the Kentucky Fraternal Order of Police pleaded guilty Thursday to wire fraud after stealing thousands of dollars from the union and fellow officers.

Ryan Straw entered his plea at the Eastern District federal courthouse in Kentucky.

Straw was under investigation for embezzlement as of last November, according to a letter from the FOP board.

According to that letter, Straw convinced other officers to give him money for an investment club. That money was never invested. Straw was also suspected of taking funds from the lodge itself.

The FOP gave Straw the chance to return the money, but he did not.

Straw previously conducted media interviews and spoke about police matters, including accountability issues at the state level.

He faces a maximum of 20 years in prison, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office. Sentencing is pending.

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Kentucky

Which Kentucky Derby horses are running in the 2026 Preakness Stakes?

Published

16 hours ago

May 14, 2026

Press Room

Which Kentucky Derby horses are running in the 2026 Preakness Stakes?

Golden Tempo won the Kentucky Derby. He won’t be at the Preakness. And that’s becoming a familiar story.

This marks the second straight year and the third time in five years that the Derby winner has decided not to compete in the Preakness Stakes despite having a healthy horse. The reason is almost always the same: two weeks isn’t enough time.

Trainer Cherie DeVaux made the call quickly after Golden Tempo’s dramatic last-to-first Derby victory on May 2.

“Golden gave us the race of a lifetime,” DeVaux said in a statement. “We believe the best decision for him moving forward is to give him a little more time following such a tremendous effort.”

DeVaux and Golden Tempo are focused on the June 6 Belmont Stakes instead.

The pattern is pretty clear.

From 1997 to 2018, every Kentucky Derby winner ran the Preakness, keeping the Triple Crown path intact. That streak ended with Country House, who won the Derby on the disqualification of Maximum Security, was scratched from the Preakness. The sport has been wrestling with the question ever since. Maryland’s racing leaders have considered moving the Preakness one week later, from the third Saturday in May to the fourth, though no change has been made.

Of the 14 horses entered in the Preakness Stakes at Laurel Park on May 16, just three made the trip from Churchill Downs. None of them won the Derby. One nearly caused the biggest upset in recent memory.

Ocelli (Post 2, 6-1)

The most intriguing Derby returnee. Ocelli finished third at 70-1 odds on May 2, giving trainer Whit Beckman and jockey Tyler Gaffalione a surprise ticket to Laurel Park. He was the lone maiden in the Derby field and remains a maiden heading into Saturday. Nobody expected him to be here.

Incredibolt (post 12, 5-1)

The morning-line co-favorite among Derby runners. Incredibolt finished sixth at Churchill Downs and trainer Riley Mott moved quickly to point him to Laurel Park. Jockey Jaime Torres won the 2024 Preakness aboard Seize the Grey. The connections believe the 1 3/16-mile distance suits Incredibolt better than the Derby’s mile and a quarter.

Robusta (Post 4, 30-1)

The longest shot of the Derby trio is Robusta, who finished 14^th of the 14 in the Derby. The question with any horse coming back this quickly after a tough Derby is how much the race took out of him. At 30-1, it seems the market has answered that question.

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Kentucky

Northern Kentucky man accused of abusing missing teen girl found at his home

Published

1 day ago

May 13, 2026

Press Room

Northern Kentucky man accused of abusing missing teen girl found at his home

COVINGTON, Ky. (WKRC) – A Northern Kentucky man is in jail, accused of sexually abusing a 14-year-old girl who’d been reported missing.

Matthew Wade, 40, faces charges, including sexual abuse, unlawful transaction with a minor and assault.

Covington Police say they found the teen at Wade’s home on Highway Avenue on Monday. According to the police report, he was knowingly hiding her, knew she was missing and had cut her ankle monitor off.

Investigators say the teen was given alcohol, marijuana and magic mushrooms.

The girl told police wade slapped her and choked her.

Officers also say they found guns in the home.

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