Going into the national signing period Wednesday, Kentucky has three verbal commitments from receivers — an obvious position of need for the Wildcats. Dekel Crowdus of Frederick Douglass is one of the three receivers on board and one of only two four-star players currently in Kentucky’s recruiting class. Christian Lewis of Alabama, a three-star prospect, is another receiver commit.
The third receiver — Chauncey Magwood of Georgia — does not seem to be as well known or as highly regarded but do not underestimate his skills.
“He has great short area quickness in and out of his routes and his ball skills are off the charts,” said Lee County (Ga.) coach Dean Fabrizio. “The other thing about Chauncey is he steps his game up to another level in big games.”
The 6-0, 185-pound Magood picked UK over offers from Nebraska, South Carolina, Arkansas, Louisville, Florida State and others. He will be starting his 57th straight game for Lee County Friday in the Class AAAAAA state semifinals. His team is 51-5, including 11-1 this year, with two state championships in his four years as a starter.
“We have had only a handful of starters as freshmen in my time here. He will be starting his 57th game over four year for us this coming Friday. That is amazing,” Fabrizio said.
Magood had 33 catches for 388 yards as a freshman and 68 receptions for 958 yards and seven scores as a sophomore. As a junior he had 53 catches for 700 yards and 10 scores. However, this season he has just 11 catches for 141 yards and two scores to give him 165 catches for 2,187 yards and 19 touchdowns.
His numbers are down this season for a reason — he has moved to quarterback where he has thrown for 633 yards and seven scores and rushed for 433 yards and five more touchdowns.
Fabrizio said it was an “unselfish” move by Magwood to move to quarterback but was all-in to help the team. The coach thinks the move to quarterback to actually help make Magwood a better receiver at UK. The coach also says there is “no about” Magwood is ready physically to compete in the SEC as a true freshman.
“He has a greater understanding of the overall picture now and what a quarterback wants from his wide receiver,” Fabrizio said.
Magwood “remained solid” to UK despite the Cats’ 4-6 record and firing of offensive coordinator Eddie Gran and quarterbacks coach Darin Hinshaw.
“He’s just a great kid, great student (3.2 grade-point average) and great person,” Fabrizio said about his star player.
