Kentucky’s coaching staff has been busy on the recruiting trail, and if the early signs are any indication, they’re zeroing in on a specific prototype at a critical position: long, athletic edge rushers who can disrupt opposing backfields.
One name that’s already made an impression is Rion Jackson out of Annapolis, Maryland. The 6-foot-5 edge rusher was on campus for Junior Day at the end of January and came away impressed.
Jackson, ranked as the No. 25 edge rusher and a top-300 national prospect by 247Sports Composite, isn’t just a name to watch - he’s a player Kentucky fans should keep tabs on. He’s planning to return for an official visit, though a date hasn’t been locked in yet.
And Jackson is far from the only target. The Wildcats have cast a wide net, and the list of edge rushers who’ve either visited or are showing strong interest is a who’s who of long, explosive athletes.
From New Jersey’s powerhouse Don Bosco program comes Aidan O’Neil, while Ohio’s Winton Woods product Jaylen Mercer has also been on campus. Indiana has been a hotbed, too, with Jayce Brewer (Franklin Central), Chris Wilson (Yorktown), and Sean Fox (Warren Central) all making the trip to Lexington. Add in Antwan Jackson from Memphis’ White Station and Javion Herrington out of West Boca Raton in Florida, and you start to see a clear trend: Kentucky is targeting edge defenders from all over the map - and they’re not just looking for anyone.
Length is the common thread here. Most of these prospects stand at 6-foot-5 or taller, and even those who don’t quite hit that mark are close.
That kind of size on the edge is a premium in today’s game - it’s not just about batting down passes or setting the edge in the run game. These are the types of players who can bend, close space quickly, and turn pressures into sacks.
One of the most intriguing names in the mix is Mekai Brown from Greenwich Country Day in Connecticut. A top-100 overall prospect, Brown has already been offered and is reportedly eyeing a spring visit. If that materializes, Kentucky could be in the mix for one of the more coveted defensive recruits in the country.
The Wildcats aren’t just going after big names - they’re going after the right fits. And the early returns suggest this staff knows exactly what it wants at edge: size, athleticism, and a high ceiling. With spring visits on the horizon and official visits to follow, Kentucky’s edge board is one to keep a close eye on as the 2026 class starts to take shape.