After losing a commitment last week from 3-star offensive lineman Tyreek Jemison, Kentucky football wasted no time reloading its future roster.
On Wednesday, the Wildcats landed a pledge from 2026 edge rusher
Justyn Hartley out of Hoover, Alabama.
A 6-foot-2, 215-pound defender, Hartley received an offer from Kentucky earlier in the day from defensive coaches Brad White and Anwar Stewart, and he didn’t hesitate to pull the trigger on his commitment.
Despite currently being unranked, Hartley has drawn attention for his motor and production, finishing his junior season with 75 tackles and nine sacks. His other offers have come from FCS programs such as Austin Peay, Illinois State, North Alabama, and others.
The addition of Hartley gives Kentucky’s 2026 class another defensive piece. His commitment brings the Wildcats’ 2026 high school recruiting class to 15 members, headlined by four-star quarterback Matt Ponatoski (Cincinnati Moeller) and four-star safety Messiah Tilson (Rockford, Ill.).
Hartley joins fellow defensive recruits Ben Duncum, Garrett Witherington, and Max Mohring in a class that continues to emphasize toughness and versatility on defense.
For head coach Mark Stoops and his staff, they are showing that Kentucky’s recruiting pipeline in the South remains active and competitive heading into the 2026 cycle.
