As the dust begins to settle from the frenzy of the transfer portal, Kentucky football is shifting its focus back to the high school ranks - and not a moment too soon. With just three Saturdays left before the February recruiting dead period hits, Will Stein and his staff are making the most of their limited window, hosting a group of promising prospects in Lexington this weekend.
While the SEC schedule didn’t do the Wildcats many favors - only one home basketball game remains before the dead period, next Saturday’s noon tip against Ole Miss - that hasn’t slowed down the recruiting push. Stein and his staff are getting boots on the ground and bodies on campus, laying the groundwork for the next wave of talent in the Bluegrass.
Let’s take a closer look at who’s expected to be in town this weekend - and why it matters.
A Big-Time Official Visitor in the 2026 Class
Kentucky isn’t done with the 2026 class just yet. In fact, they’re taking one last swing at one of the top uncommitted defensive linemen in the country: Dylan Berymon.
Berymon, a 6-foot-2, 300-pound four-star from Louisiana, is making his official visit to Lexington this weekend after spending last weekend at Nebraska. He’s ranked as the No. 211 overall player in the 2026 class and the eighth-best prospect in Louisiana - a state that’s long been a recruiting battleground for SEC powers.
The former Texas commit has also been in contact with LSU and Georgia, but the recruitment appears to be coming down to Kentucky and Nebraska. With National Signing Day right around the corner, this visit could be pivotal. If the Wildcats can seal the deal, it would be a major late-cycle win for the new staff and a statement of intent from Stein’s regime.
Other Notable Visitors
Jay’Quan Crawford - 2026 RB, Franklin County (KY)
Crawford is a name to watch locally.
The running back from Franklin County has drawn multiple offers from MAC programs and could be in the mix as a preferred walk-on option for Kentucky. With the staff still finalizing its depth chart and roster flexibility, Crawford’s visit is a chance for both sides to gauge mutual interest ahead of signing day.
Brady Hull - 2027 OL, Pulaski County (KY)
Hull is one of the top junior offensive linemen in the state, and at 6-foot-3, 280 pounds, he’s already attracting attention from SEC programs.
South Carolina, Auburn, and Tennessee are all on his upcoming visit list, but Kentucky has been in on him early - first under the previous staff and now as a continued priority under Stein. The Wildcats would love to keep the in-state talent home, and this weekend is a key touchpoint in that effort.
Carter Blattner - 2027 DL, New Jersey
Blattner brings size and upside to the table.
At 6-foot-5 and 260 pounds, the four-star defensive lineman is currently ranked No. 369 nationally in the 2027 class. He’s got interest from Rutgers, Pitt, and Wisconsin, and Kentucky is looking to get in the mix early.
Defensive line depth is always at a premium in the SEC, and Blattner’s frame and athleticism make him a long-term project worth tracking.
Antwan Jackson - 2027 EDGE/TE, Memphis (TN)
Jackson might be the most intriguing athlete visiting this weekend.
He’s listed at 6-foot-6, 245 pounds with an 84.5-inch wingspan and a reported 4.5-second 40-yard dash - eye-popping numbers for a high school junior. Already holding offers from Georgia, Alabama, LSU, Ole Miss, and Tennessee, Jackson is a rising star in the 2027 class.
Kentucky got in the mix just over a week ago, thanks to Tony Washington Jr., and they’re wasting no time getting him on campus. Whether he ends up on the edge or as a tight end, Jackson’s physical tools make him a high-ceiling prospect with SEC-ready measurables.
The Big Picture
This weekend’s visitor list is a reflection of Kentucky’s evolving recruiting strategy under Will Stein. While the transfer portal has dominated headlines - and rightly so - the foundation of any sustainable program still lies in high school recruiting. Getting players on campus, especially those with SEC-level talent and upside, is how you build depth, develop continuity, and eventually win in the trenches of college football.
With limited opportunities before the dead period, every visit counts. And for Kentucky, this weekend could be the start of something bigger.