In the heart of Kentucky, a high school gym turned into the epicenter of college football recruiting last weekend - and all eyes were on one name: Seneca Driver.
The Boyle County (Danville, Ky.) tight end is widely regarded as the top-ranked player in the 2027 class, and he’s drawing the kind of attention that usually surrounds five-star quarterbacks or generational edge rushers. But Driver’s blend of size, athleticism, and versatility at the tight end position has made him a must-see prospect - and coaches from across the college football landscape are lining up to make their pitch.
New Kentucky head coach Will Stein isn’t wasting any time getting in the mix. In just his first full day on the job while still wrapping up duties at Oregon, Stein was already courtside at Rupp Arena, catching the Kentucky-Mississippi State basketball game with none other than Driver in attendance.
And he wasn’t alone. Kentucky general manager Pat Biondo was right there with him, both making it clear that Driver is a top priority for the Wildcats’ 2027 class.
Fast forward a week, and Stein and a loaded Kentucky staff - including offensive coordinator Joe Sloan, tight ends coach Justin Burke, and wide receivers coach Joe Price III - made the short trip to Boyle County to watch Driver take the hardwood in a rivalry showdown against Danville. The gym was packed, and not just with fans. It was a who’s who of college football recruiters.
Among the notable names in the building: Oklahoma tight ends coach Jason Witten - yes, that Jason Witten - and Sooners offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle. Louisville also came strong, sending head coach Jeff Brohm, recruiting staffer Brady Brohm, and recruiting director Vince Marrow to scout the rising star.
And the game? A classic.
Danville edged out Boyle County in a 53-50 thriller, but the real headline was the recruiting buzz around Driver. In an age dominated by the transfer portal and digital scouting, seeing this many high-profile coaches packed into a high school gym on a cold Friday night felt like a throwback - a reminder that for elite talent, the old-school approach still holds weight.
Driver’s been on the radar for a while now. He turned heads at a Kentucky camp a couple of summers ago, and since then, his stock has only risen.
Programs from across the country have been circling, but Kentucky and Louisville appear to be going all-in. And with Junior Day on the horizon - Driver is set to attend Kentucky’s on January 24 - the recruiting battle is just heating up.
What happens next? Expect a flurry of visits, calls, and pitches as the top programs jockey for position.
Driver is the kind of talent that can anchor a recruiting class and reshape an offense. The next six months will be pivotal - not just for Driver, but for whichever program lands him.
This is big-time recruiting, and it’s only just getting started.