Joker and Co. Don’t Disappoint

Just a few days ago, UK’s incoming recruitng class was ranked a deplorable 72nd in the nation, but as predicted by Head Coach Joker Phillips on Monday, the team had a couple of last-minute surpirses on National Signing Day.

4 Star tight end Alex Smith, 3 Star running backs Branden Gainer and Miles Simpson, and 3 Star linebacker Tim Patterson all joined the UK fold this morning bringing its total signees up to 26.

This sudden surge of signing talent has jumped UK’s class to 48th in the nation according to Rivals.com. Though this ranking is lower than the 2009 class, Phillips and the rest of his staff have done an excellent job turning on the after burners since January to bag recruits.

In early January, brought in new offensive and defensive line coaches Mike Summer and David Turner to help the UK coaching staff can an edge in the recruiting field.

However, the Cats naturally didn’t get every recruit they went after. 4 Star running back Rajaan Bennet decided to side with Vanderbilt, 3 Star middle linebacker Jonathon Brown joined Illinois, and 3 Star athlete and Lagrange, Ga product Jamius Gunsby chose USF over UK.

But, there are still two unknowns that havent decided where they want to play their college ball: 4 Star cornerback Anterio Sloan, 4 Star defensive tackle Todd Chandler, and 3 Star cornerback Joeseph Byrd.
Sloan was committed to UK but quickly reopened his options after Rich Brooks’ retirement and Chandler has UK in his top three along with cross-state rival Louisville. Byrd has expressed some interest in Big Blue but he is the least likely to sign with the Cats in 2010.

UK’s class ranks 10th in the SEC ahead of Arkansas and Vanderbilt and ranks second-to-last in stars/recruit with a 2.77 according to Rivals.com.

RECRUIT POSITION STARS

Mychal Bailey DB 2
Tyler Brause QB 3
Alvin Davis DE 3
Nermin Delic DE 3
Mike Douglas DE 3
Teven Eatmon OL 2
Branden Gainer RB 3
Josh Gibbs (JC) DB 3
Justin Henderson DE 3
Farringon Huquenin DE 2
Jabrari Johnson LB 3
Brice Laughlin DT 3
Joe Mansuer K 2
Tim McAdoo DT 3
Malcolm McDuffin (KY) LB 3
Tim Patterson (KY) LB 3
Jerrell Priester ATH 3
Tyler Robinson TE 2
Donte Rumph (JC) DE 3
Raymond Sanders RB 3
Ronnie Shields TE 2
Eric Simmons DB 2
Miles Simpson (KY) RB 3
Alex Smith TE 4
Dale Trimble DB 3
Avery Williamson LB 3