Kentucky Football’s Recruiting Momentum Is Real - And It Starts With Seneca Driver
For years, Kentucky fans have lived with the sting of watching elite in-state talent slip away. The name Michael Mayer still brings a wince to the Big Blue Nation - a generational tight end from just across the river in Northern Kentucky who starred for Notre Dame instead of donning the blue and white.
And he wasn’t the only one. Shaun Alexander, Damien Harris - the list of homegrown stars who got away is long enough to fill a highlight reel.
But now, there’s a new tone in Lexington. And it’s not one of regret - it’s one of momentum.
Last night, that momentum hit a new gear. Recruiting insider Steve Wiltfong dropped a crystal ball prediction that Seneca Driver, the No. 1 player in Kentucky and the No. 5 tight end in the nation, is trending toward the Wildcats. That’s not just a win - that’s a statement.
This Is the Type of Battle Kentucky Used to Lose
Driver’s recruitment has all the hallmarks of a classic Kentucky heartbreaker: elite national talent, a position of need, and a crowded offer sheet. In years past, this is where fans would start mentally preparing for a “close but no cigar” scenario - maybe a second-place finish to an SEC heavyweight or a blue-blood program with a shinier trophy case.
But Will Stein is flipping that script.
Since taking over, Stein has been clear about his vision: high school recruiting isn’t just a priority - it’s the lifeblood of his program. That means building real, lasting relationships with players and families. Not just showing up with a flashy pitch, but putting in the work, day in and day out.
And so far, that approach is paying off.
Brady Hull Was the First Domino
Before the buzz around Driver, Stein landed a key in-state piece in Pulaski County’s Brady Hull - a 3-star offensive lineman with offers from South Carolina, Mississippi State, and Duke. Hull isn’t just a depth add.
He’s a tone-setter. A player who believes in the vision and is ready to help build something bigger.
“I believe in them, and I know they believe in me,” Hull said. “We’re going to get this thing rolling.”
That’s the kind of quote that sticks. Not just because it sounds good, but because it reflects a shift in mindset.
Players like Hull - and now potentially Driver - are buying into what Kentucky is building. Not because it’s the easy choice, but because it feels like the right one.
Driver Would Be a Program-Changer
Let’s be clear: landing Seneca Driver would be more than just a recruiting win - it would be a turning point.
Driver isn’t just the top player in the state. He’s a national-level talent at a premium position.
He’s the kind of player who can anchor an offense, who draws double teams, who opens up the field for everyone else. And he’s right in Kentucky’s backyard.
If Stein can close the deal, it sends a message that the days of letting top-tier local talent walk out the door are over. That the fence around the Commonwealth is real - and it’s holding strong.
A New Era in Lexington
There’s still work to be done. Predictions aren’t signatures, and nothing’s official until the ink dries on signing day.
But the energy around Kentucky football right now is different. It’s focused.
It’s intentional. And it’s starting to produce results.
Will Stein said high school recruiting would be the foundation of his program. With players like Brady Hull already on board and Seneca Driver potentially on the way, that foundation is starting to take shape - and it looks solid.
For Kentucky fans who’ve spent years watching stars leave the state, this isn’t just a feel-good story. It’s a long-awaited shift. A sign that the Wildcats are no longer content to play second fiddle in their own backyard.
They’re building something - and it’s starting to look real.