Alabama safety Avery Stuart built relationship with UK assistant Frank Buffano that led to his commitment

Avery Stuart picked UK over Florida State, Auburn, Penn State, Oklahoma and others in part because of the relationship he built with assistant coach Frank Buffano. (Twitter Photo)

Sunday many Kentucky football fans were disappointed with three-star South Warren defensive back Christian Conyer picking Tennessee over UK and it touched off social media chatter about UK athletics director hurting football and basketball recruiting with his stance on NIL.

Wednesday the tone was a bit different after four-star defensive back Avery Stuart of Montgomery, Ala., picked UK over Florida State and Auburn. He also had offers from Penn State, Oklahoma, Mississippi State, Arkansas and others.

The 6-2, 175-pound Stuart, who plays at Alabama Christian Academy, is the No. 20 highest rated commitment all-time at UK according to 247Sports and raved about receivers Dane Key and Keaten Wade, two stars in the 2022 recruiting class, and 2023 receiver Shamar Porter. He is regarded as the nation’s 12th best safety by 247Sports and 197th best player.

The On3 Consensus — which utilizes averages from all four recruiting services — has him rated as the nation’s No. 222 player and No. 14 safety. He had 41 tackles, 24 pass breakups and two interceptions last season.

Alabama Christian Academy coach Michael Summers says Stuart is “one of the hardest working kids” he has had and worked to make himself a high-level Division I player.

“He was good enough that in the ninth grade we knew he would have this opportunity,” Summers said. “He is a dedicated kid who has competed and developed to where he has great football awareness. He’s really smart and really good with the ball in the air. He has really good hips.”

Summers said his star defensive back has a 77 1/2-inch reach and can “jump through the roof.” But  not only can he defend the pass, he’s also good at shutting down the run game on one side of the field.

“He reads plays well. He takes really good angles on the run,” Summers said. “He gave my son a concussion in practice last year. He can defend the run.”

What about his speed?

Summers said he probably would be timed in 4.5 or 4.6 seconds in the 40-yard dash.

“But he’s faster than he tests. He doesn’t get a good start in the 40. He plays fast and at his full speed, so his 40 time doesn’t do him justice,” the coach said.

Summers credited UK defensive backs coach Frank Buffano for building a great relationship with Stuart.

“Coach Buffano is a straight up guy. He did a fantastic job building a relationship beyond football,” Summers said. “They did a good job selling themselves for being able to develop him as a student and person and not just a football player. That was important to him and his family.”