Former Kentucky high school standouts, from left, Kash Daniel, Drake Jackson and Landon Young
What would Kentucky football be like today if Landon Young, Drake Jackson, Davonte Robinson and Kash Daniel had not been part of Mark Stoops’ 2016 recruiting class? They were willing to commit to Kentucky even though coach Mark Stoops had won TWELVE games total in three seasons from 2013-15. Since the four arrived at UK, Kentucky has gone 32-20 and been to four straight bowls. All but Daniel had a redshirt year and are still at Kentucky.
This year Kentucky’s football recruiting has continued to do well with in-state commitments. The state’s top recruit, Frederick Douglass offensive lineman Jager Burton, was the latest in-state player to pick UK.
But the 2021 recruiting class also includes verbal commitments from Frederick Douglass receiver Dekel Crowdus, Somerset quarterback Kaiya Sheron, North Hardin running back La’Vell Wright and North Hardin safety Jordan Lovett. They are all among the top seven rated in-state recruits.
No one is happier to see more Kentuckians choosing the Big Blue than Young, a senior offensive tackle ranked among the best in the Southeastern Conference.
“Kentucky was never really looked at as a football state. You see a lot of different states looked at more as football states,” Young said. “To see really good athletes coming out of this state is really cool.
“A lot of years that were not that many players that came out of Kentucky period, but to see more come out of Kentucky now and also choose Kentucky as a school is really cool.”
Young said when Jackson, Daniel and Robinson joined him in picking Kentucky they wanted to “make a difference” in the program and believe they have.
“I think more Kentucky boys coming here is going to continue to help make that difference because we have pride like no one else on this team has,” Young said. “We are playing for our home state, our family, our Lord, everything Kentucky has provided for us our whole life.
“Our chance to give something back and represent Kentucky across our chest just means something special.”
