Elijah Groves is now committed to North Carolina State.
How big a loss was four-star linebacker Elijah Groves’ de-commitment from Kentucky? He was the sixth highest rated player in UK’s 2024 recruiting class — he is the nation’s 250th overall prospect in the On3 composite rankings while 247Sports has him as the No. 12 linebacker and 130th best player in the nation regardless of position.
He had almost 20 scholarship offers when he picked UK over NC State and Purdue in July. The 6-3, 210-pound Groves is now committed to NC State.
Groves had over 15 offers and was previously committed to Kentucky. He also has two younger brothers who both already have multiple Division I offers.
Josh Edwards, football recruiting analyst for TheCatsPause/247 Sports, believes Kentucky can withstand losing the Tennessee linebacker.
“They have multiple others committed at the position and could potentially return their top three linebackers from the 2023 season. It is disappointing to lose a prospect with the athletic traits that Elijah Groves possesses but it does not impact their short-term outlook,” Edwards said.
Kentucky has lost linebacker Keaten Wade to the transfer portal after he played in every game this season. He has had over 500 snaps the last two years.
“Wade is more of a pass rusher, which I would say is a position that UK should look to address in the transfer portal,” Edwards said. “The problem is that everyone is looking for one of those difference making prospects at the position. As it stands, J.J. Weaver, Tyreese Fearbry and freshman Jacob Smith will be leaned on heavily.”
Edwards believes Groves’ decision was isolated and UK will not see a rash of de-commitments before signing day Dec. 20. Kentucky has added Georgia quarterback Brock Vandagriff and Texas A&M receiver Raymond Cottrell through the transfer portal. Edwards expects UK to add more transfers.
“It is part of doing business in today’s college football landscape,” Edwards said.
5 Responses
And now that trevin wallace declared for the nfl, UK has a glairing hole MLB & MLB depth. Smh groves could be starting/shairing PT in the SEC if he was still going to UK. Guess he doesnt want to play big time football
It’s probably the NIL money and nothing to do with UK or the SEC.
Uh, NIL money would indicate it has everything to do with KY.
Playing Louisville in the 4th game this next year. Smiling ear to ear!
Pretty sure Louisville is still the final game of the season Ben