Martels Carter, left, with UK signee Javeon Campbell at the Army All-American Game.
Between Kentucky’s 4-8 season and so many players going and coming in the transfer portal the high school seniors who signed with UK in December probably did not get as much attention as normal.
Recruiting coordinator Vince Marrow really likes 6-0, 195-pound defensive back Martels Carter of Paducah Tilghman, a consensus four-star recruit and the top-ranked in Kentucky.
He had 25 tackles, including three tackles for loss, and three interceptions his senior season when he helped Paducah Tilghman win the Class 4A state championship. He also had 35 receptions for 490 yards and five touchdowns and 12 carries for 122 yards and one touchdown catching on offense.
“Me and Martels have a really good relationship. His dad is a high school coach that I really like,” Marrow said. “He had some pretty impressive schools on him but he was upset when one kid decommitted from us. It was after midnight when he called me to tell me we would be okay when it happened.
“I love his leadership. The last time I felt like this when we signed a kid was Mike Edwards (who has been in the NFL since 2019 and played on two Super Bowl champions). He is good on both sides of the ball. He is actually a better person than player and just comes from a great family.”
Carter picked UK over Oregon, Tennessee, Clemson and Auburn.
Marrow also believes 6-5, 235-pound defensive lineman Cedric Works of Frederick Douglass, who moved from Ohio to Lexington before his senior season, could be special. The four-star prospect was ranked as the nation’s No. 11 edge rusher by 247sports and had 54 tackles, four sacks and four tackles for loss in 14 games. He had 82 tackles with 10 tackles for loss as a junior at Clayton Northmont in Ohio.
He chose Kentucky over LSU, Penn State and Florida.
“His upside is really huge,” Marrow said. “He’s a very athletic guy. He’s a highly ranked outside linebacker and I really believe he is one of the big-time guys that we signed.”
2 Responses
These 2 along with the other kid who has only played football for 3 years are going to be special! I see Carter getting some pt next year! Our secondary should be improved with all the best players back. I’m excited about the unknown because we usually do better when everyone thinks we will be down. Teams overlook us and we play harder! With the guys Marrow brought in I feel good about our o line and secondary 2 major problems for us.
I agree Terry. I am super excited about next year. We got rid of some cancers on last years team, which IMO is why we were 4-8. There is no way we should have had that record with the talent we had. A cancerous locker room can doom a team. Stoops is also partly responsible, and he has owned up to his mistakes. I think we are going to surprise some people, but I am a glass is half full guy EVERY year. Go Cats!!!