Kentucky head coach Will Stein is still piecing together his staff, but that hasn’t slowed down the Wildcats’ push on the recruiting trail-especially at the quarterback position. With the lone transfer portal window of the offseason just two weeks away and both Oregon and Texas A&M preparing for College Football Playoff appearances this weekend, Stein and his key assistants-defensive coordinator Jay Bateman and offensive line coach Cutter Leftwich-have their plates full. Still, in the world of college football, there’s always room to make a recruiting call, especially when it involves a potential future face of the program.
On Thursday, Stein and newly hired offensive coordinator Joe Sloan extended their first quarterback offer in the 2027 recruiting class-and it was a big one. The Wildcats officially re-offered four-star quarterback Keegan Croucher, a name that’s already well known in recruiting circles.
Croucher, currently ranked No. 205 overall and among the top 20 quarterbacks in the 2027 Rivals Industry Ranking, brings a strong résumé and a growing reputation. Originally from the Northeast, he’s set to transfer to Chattanooga (Tenn.)
Baylor School for his senior season in 2026, a move that should elevate his exposure even more. But he’s already put up numbers that command attention.
As a freshman at Fonda-Fultonville in New York, Croucher tossed 31 touchdown passes-a staggering number for a first-year varsity player. He then transferred to Cheshire Academy in Connecticut, where he continued to shine.
As a sophomore, he threw for 2,052 yards and 20 touchdowns. He followed that up with a junior campaign that saw him rack up 1,692 yards and 16 touchdowns-in just nine games.
Those kinds of numbers, combined with his frame, arm talent, and mobility, have made him a blue-chip prospect.
Croucher committed to Ole Miss back in October, but with Lane Kiffin and offensive coordinator Charlie Weis Jr. now both moving on from the Rebels, the door has cracked open for other programs to make a push. Kentucky, which originally offered Croucher back in May under former offensive coordinator Bush Hamdan and quality control assistant Mike Hartline, is now officially back in the mix.
The quarterback himself acknowledged the renewed interest, telling On3’s Steve Wiltfong, “Kentucky definitely attracts me.” He also noted his strong connection with Stein, saying, “Will Stein recruited me really hard at Oregon and was very close with him then. He said I was his first call in the ’27 class.”
That’s a telling quote. When a new head coach makes you his first call in a new recruiting cycle, it’s not just a nod-it’s a statement. Stein clearly sees Croucher as a foundational piece for the future of Kentucky football.
Right now, Buford (Ga.) High School quarterback DJ Hunter remains the lone commit in Kentucky’s 2027 class. But with Stein and Sloan now steering the offense, it’s clear they’re looking to build something dynamic-and that starts at quarterback.
Keegan Croucher is more than just a name to watch. He’s a signal-caller with the tools, production, and upside to be a game-changer at the next level. And with Kentucky back in the hunt, don’t be surprised if the Wildcats become a serious contender in what’s shaping up to be a wide-open recruitment.