Offensive linemen Charlton, left, and Mercer Luniewski visited Kentucky last week and both got scholarship offers.
Twin brothers Charlton and Mercer Luniewski of Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy have always talked about playing college football together.
Kentucky is willing to give them that opportunity as both linemen were offered a scholarship by the Wildcats last week.
“We have both been dead set on continuing our football careers together. We know how valuable we are as a pair and what we offer on the field. Going to school together is what we want,” said Charlton.
Mercer is 6-7, 300 pounds and Charlton is 6-5, 280 pounds. Mercer, a three-star prospect, has 12 scholarship offers including Wisconsin, Pittsburgh and Minnesota. He has been to Kentucky several times. Kentucky was Charlton’s first Power 5 offer among his six Division I offers.
“I think we are still processing it (the Kentucky offer). It didn’t really surprise us but it was a great honor to both get offered,” Charlton said. “Kentucky has been at the top of our list for a long time. It’s close to Cincinnati, is a great SEC school and has great academics. It’s kind of the whole package for us so to both get a scholarship offer was very gratifying.”
The twins know Kentucky freshman tight end Josh Kattus of Cincinnati and his brother, Justin, a senior who is currently being recruited by Kentucky and visited campus this week. The twins train with the Kattus brothers in Cincinnati.
Charlton said the twins play “very similar” and each has a lot of things to offer.
“We are both very athletic. My brother is about 20 pounds heavier and a 1/2 inch taller,” he said. “He moves better laterally and gets off the line very well. He’s a really good (offensive) tackle. We are both very athletic for our size.”
He says they are both “true tackles” with one playing on the left side and one on the right. However, Charlton believes he can be an “elite” pulling guard in college.
“It just depends on what a school sees for us and what is most beneficial for us and the team,” Charlton said. “We both play defense. He is 6-7, 300 and playing defensive end. I think I could play tight end.”
Kentucky associate coach/recruiting coordinator Vince Marrow has been their primary recruiter since they attended a camp at Kentucky last summer.
They have both been track athletes but that was mainly to enhance their recruiting status.
“Track was never a main sport for us. We knew it would help our leverage and explosion,” Charlton said. “We also played basketball and know the majority of players that get drafted were multi-sport athletes.”
The brothers are not sure when they’ll make their college choice but Charlton knows they will be back at Kentucky.
“We will just see where our hearts take us,” Charlton said. “Whatever program is the most passionate about us will shine through.”
