Will Stein hasn’t officially touched down in Lexington yet, but his presence is already being felt across the recruiting trail. As Kentucky’s new head coach gears up for his first season, his staff is wasting no time laying the foundation for the program’s future - and they’re doing it with a clear strategy: lean on the transfer portal in the short term, but build long-term success through high school recruiting.
We’ve already seen the early returns. Kentucky secured a commitment from four-star wide receiver Kenny Darby in the 2026 class, and more could be on the way.
But what’s especially notable is how aggressively the Wildcats are getting involved with 2027 prospects - a move that signals Stein isn’t just thinking about year one. He’s thinking about year four and beyond.
Let’s break down the latest developments from a busy weekend on the Kentucky football recruiting front.
Reconnecting with In-State Talent
One of the biggest shifts under the new regime is a renewed focus on keeping top Kentucky talent at home - something that had slipped under the previous staff. Two of the state’s top 2027 prospects, cornerbacks Jordan Haskins and Allen Evans, were re-offered by the Wildcats this past week, reigniting relationships that had cooled off over the past year.
Both offers came from new assistant coach James Gibson, who’s expected to lead the defensive backs unit. That’s a significant move, especially considering the caliber of these players.
Haskins, out of Bryan Station, is a versatile athlete listed at 5-foot-11, 170 pounds. He’s already drawing interest from Louisville, Illinois, Indiana, and Missouri, among others.
And it’s easy to see why. As a junior, he filled up the stat sheet with 50 tackles, three interceptions, and a sack.
But he’s not just a defensive standout - Haskins also contributed on offense, scoring four rushing touchdowns and throwing for four more. Playing for his father at Bryan Station, he’s the kind of multi-dimensional athlete that can thrive in today’s game.
Then there’s Allen Evans, who helped power Trinity to another state title this fall. At 6-foot-1, 180 pounds, Evans brings size, range, and a knack for making plays in the secondary.
He posted 28 tackles, one tackle for loss, and two interceptions this season. His offer sheet speaks volumes - Alabama, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Penn State are all in the mix.
He’s currently ranked as the No. 90 overall recruit in the 2026 class, and Kentucky is making a clear push to keep him close to home.
2027 Class Heating Up
Kentucky didn’t stop with in-state re-offers. The staff also extended several new scholarships to rising juniors around the country, signaling a broad and calculated approach to the 2027 class.
Among the names to know:
- Kyler Kuhn, an interior offensive lineman ranked No. 162 nationally, received his offer from new run game coordinator Derek Warehime and offensive line coach Cutter Leftwich. The 6-foot-3, 280-pound Missouri native is also a standout wrestler - a trait that often translates well in the trenches. He’s recently picked up offers from Arkansas, Florida, Penn State, and Virginia Tech.
- Jalaythan Mayfield, a 6-foot-1, 215-pound linebacker from North Carolina, had previously been offered by the former UK staff. He recently named Kentucky in his top 10 alongside programs like Oregon, Georgia, and Miami. That’s elite company, and it shows Kentucky is staying in the fight.
- Braylon Williams, a 6-foot-2, 220-pound linebacker from Texas, received his offer from new defensive coordinator Jay Bateman. Williams recently trimmed his list to 10 schools, and Bateman - who previously coached at Texas A&M - is now working to get Kentucky into serious contention.
- Aston Whiteside, another Texas linebacker listed at 6-foot-2, 200 pounds, was offered by both Bateman and Gibson. He’s also hearing from Texas Tech, TCU, Kansas State, and Arizona State. The connections from Bateman’s time in the Lone Star State are clearly paying dividends.
Other Names to Watch
The 2027 class isn’t the only one drawing attention. Kentucky is also staying active with 2026 prospects.
One name to keep an eye on is Brady Hull, a three-star interior offensive lineman out of Pulaski County. Hull, listed at 6-foot-1, 285 pounds, had already been on Kentucky’s radar under the previous staff - and Stein’s group is keeping that momentum going. Hull recently told reporters he’s also hearing from South Carolina, Tennessee, and NC State, and he plans to return to Lexington for Junior Day.
Meanwhile, Dylan Berymon, a four-star defensive tackle in the 2026 class, has scheduled an official visit to Kentucky for January 16-18. The 6-foot-2, 330-pound Louisiana native is ranked No. 211 nationally and is considered one of the top 10 players in his state.
He also has an official visit lined up with Nebraska earlier in the month. Kentucky offered Berymon on December 22 and has been ramping up its pursuit ever since.
The Big Picture
It’s still early in Will Stein’s tenure, but the blueprint is already coming into focus. The Wildcats are going to lean on the portal to patch immediate holes - that much is clear. But the long-term vision centers on building a sustainable pipeline of high school talent, especially within Kentucky and key recruiting territories like Texas, Missouri, and the Carolinas.
Re-establishing ties with in-state stars like Haskins and Evans sends a strong message. So does the flurry of offers going out to 2027 prospects. This isn’t just about the next signing day - it’s about reshaping the program’s identity from the ground up.
Stein and his staff are putting in the work now to ensure Kentucky isn’t just competitive in 2026 - but built to thrive well beyond that.