There’s a new energy building in Lexington, and it’s coming straight from the quarterback room.
Will Stein hasn’t been at Kentucky long, but he’s already making waves on the recruiting trail-especially with elite quarterback talent. Known for his work developing top-tier passers, Stein is giving the Wildcats something they haven’t always had in the national recruiting conversation: momentum. And right now, that momentum is focused on one of the most coveted arms in the 2027 class.
Enter Israel Abrams.
The 6-foot-4, 194-pound quarterback out of Illinois is one of the most dynamic signal callers in the country. Ranked No. 3 among quarterbacks and No. 44 overall in the Rivals Industry Ranking, Abrams is a name you’re going to hear a lot over the next year.
Last fall, he lit up the Illinois high school circuit, throwing for 4,072 yards and 40 touchdowns. He capped off his season with a 418-yard, five-touchdown performance-four through the air and one on the ground-in a state championship win for Montini Catholic.
That’s not just production. That’s command.
And now, Kentucky’s in the mix.
Abrams has two visits to Lexington already on the books. He’ll be on campus March 13 for an unofficial visit, and he’s locked in an official visit for June 19.
That alone is a big deal. When top-tier quarterbacks start circling dates on the calendar, it means they’re paying attention-and Kentucky has theirs.
But let’s be clear: this is a competitive recruitment. Auburn, led by Alex Golesh, has been in the driver’s seat early, and the Tigers have momentum with several recruiting projections favoring them. Purdue and Florida State are also in line for official visits, and Tennessee is working to get Abrams to Knoxville.
Still, Kentucky’s not backing down. Stein, along with co-recruiter Joe Sloan, brings a track record from Oregon and LSU, two programs that consistently landed and developed elite quarterback talent.
While Kentucky doesn’t carry the national name recognition of those schools-at least not yet-Stein and Sloan aren’t shying away from big swings. They’re pushing hard, and it’s starting to show.
And it’s not just quarterbacks.
Over the weekend, Kentucky also secured an official visit from Asa Barnes, a four-star running back ranked No. 20 nationally at his position. Barnes, a Tennessee native, has the Vols high on his list, but the Wildcats are making a serious push. He’s planning to visit both schools in June.
“They show a bunch of love and I like the way Coach Kolby (Smith) is teaching,” Barnes said. “I think Kentucky could make some noise within the coming months and years. And even though they came on into my recruitment way after some schools, the amount they pursue me really pushes their case.”
That’s the theme here: Kentucky may be arriving late to some recruitments, but they’re arriving with purpose.
There’s a noticeable shift happening in Lexington. With Stein leading the offensive charge and a staff that’s not afraid to go toe-to-toe with recruiting heavyweights, Kentucky is positioning itself as a serious player for top offensive talent. Whether it’s Israel Abrams under center or Asa Barnes in the backfield, the Wildcats are making it known-they’re not just here to compete in the SEC; they’re here to win on the trail, too.
And that’s a message recruits are clearly hearing.