Kentucky Football is changing its recruiting playbook-and it’s not subtle.
For years, the Wildcats built their roster by finding under-the-radar prospects, developing them into SEC-caliber players, and leaning into relationships over flash. It was a steady approach, one that occasionally paid off, but rarely turned heads nationally.
That era? It’s over.
Under offensive coordinator Will Stein and defensive coordinator Jay Bateman, Kentucky is shifting into attack mode. The new philosophy?
Protect your turf. Hunt without fear.
And don’t blink when the bluebloods come calling.
Owning the Home Turf-and Then Some
Stein made it clear: the foundation of this new recruiting identity starts at home. And not just with filling roster spots-he’s talking about real production from in-state talent.
“The best way that we’re going to move forward is really starting inside the state of Kentucky. It has to,” Stein said.
“When I’ve seen Kentucky at its best, it’s homegrown talent. That’s where you got to start.”
That message is already resonating. Over the weekend, Kentucky hosted a Junior Day that brought several top prospects to Lexington, including offensive lineman Brady Hull.
After the visit, Hull was projected to land with the Wildcats-a strong sign of momentum. But Hull wasn’t the only high-profile name on campus.
Dylan Berymon, the top-ranked player in the 2026 class, is reportedly down to Kentucky and Nebraska.
Still, Stein isn’t putting up a fence just around the Commonwealth. His definition of “homegrown” stretches beyond state lines, forming a five-to-six-hour recruiting radius that includes talent-rich cities like Nashville, Cincinnati, Indianapolis, Chicago, Detroit, and even as far as Charlotte, Atlanta, and St. Louis.
That’s a serious footprint-and it comes with serious expectations.
“And then this is a national brand,” Stein added. “University of Kentucky, this logo holds weight. So, this is where you can use your resources and your relationships to go into a state like Texas, to really dive into South Florida, even in the DMV area.”
Translation: Kentucky isn’t just looking to compete locally. They’re going national.
Jay Bateman: Relentless and Relatable
To execute this kind of aggressive recruiting strategy, you need a closer. Someone who doesn’t flinch when Alabama or Michigan walks into a living room. That’s where Jay Bateman comes in.
“This guy hunts in recruiting,” Stein said. “He is a shark.
He’s a pitbull. He’ll go up against anybody.
And there’s no real tricks with Jay-he’s straight up, but he creates real bonds with these players.”
That combination-relentless energy and genuine connection-is already delivering results. In just over a month, Bateman helped flip linebacker Kenny Darby from LSU and defensive back Andre Clarke Jr. from Michigan.
Those aren’t fluke wins. Those are statements.
And they reflect a staff that’s not afraid to challenge the traditional power structure.
“You know, we’ll go wherever,” Stein said. “If there’s a kid in Alaska that wants to play at Kentucky that’s good enough, we’ll go there. In the new state of college football and recruiting, it’s really about building relationships and making sure that we’re consistent in our approach... and just bringing the best guys that fit our program.”
That’s not just talk. It’s a mission-and it’s already in motion.
Kentucky’s Message Is Loud and Clear
For years, Kentucky was seen as a program that picked up the leftovers-the guys who didn’t get offers from the big-name schools. That’s no longer the case.
Now, they’re walking into the same rooms as the heavyweights and refusing to back down. They’re not waiting for the recruiting dominoes to fall-they’re pushing them over themselves.
This new Kentucky staff isn’t just recruiting harder. They’re recruiting smarter, wider, and with a chip on their shoulder. And if early returns are any indication, the rest of the SEC might want to start paying attention.
The Wildcats aren’t playing nice anymore. They’re playing to win.