The advent of the transfer portal and NIL has seemingly taken the emphasis and importance of high school recruiting down a notch in college football.
Still, though, it is key to building a capable roster
in the SEC. Will Stein and his Kentucky coaching staff know that full well.
On Wednesday, it was announced that Mount Washington (Ky.) Bullitt East tailback Jay’Quan Crawford has committed to the Cats. The class of 2026 recruit will add to what’s been a very productive high school and transfer portal class to kick off the Will Stein era.
The 6-2, 200-pound Crawford is currently a 3-star recruit ranked 1,939th nationally. 123rd among running backs, and 13th in the state of Kentucky by 247 Sports Composite. He rushed for 539 yards and five touchdowns as a senior at Bullitt East.
Crawford was on Kentucky’s campus in January for a visit, and that ultimately helped seal the deal. He held additional scholarship offers from Toledo, Eastern Michigan, and Kent State.
New running backs coach Kolby Smith now has a deep room to work with. Crawford is now the seventh player to join the position group. Jason Patterson and Tovani Mizell are the only returnees, while Texas transfer CJ Baxter is expected to be the bellcow back next season. Oklahoma transfer Jovantae Barnes should also see significant playing time.
Now, check out some highlights of the newest Wildcat below!
