[The Blue Blur]

It's been a little while since we've had one of these lengthy updates that takes a look at the big picture but that's what we're doing right now. Let's get right to it.

Where & who UK is recruiting

Sources are indicating that Kentucky plans to take a big haul in this recruiting cycle. There will be some attrition and this class will be very important when it comes to filling out the roster and, hopefully, transforming the make-up into more of a legit SEC squad.

How many will UK take at each position?

(1) Quarterback
(2) Running Backs
(3) Wide Receivers
(1-2) Tight Ends
(5) Offensive Linemen
(4) Defensive Backs**

I haven't heard concrete numbers on the other positions (DE, DT, LB), but the above numbers account for 16-17 spots. Assuming Kentucky finds a way to take close to a full class, as I ultimately believe they may be able to do, that would mean probably four defensive linemen and four linebackers. With Denzel Ware and Dorian Hendrix already on board, I'm guessing UK looks to take three more at each position.

**It's worth noting that this staff views safety and cornerback prospects almost interchangeably. Guys like Mike Edwards, Darius West, Nick Glass, etc., are all able to play either position, so they're looking for the best available players.

Where are these guys going to be coming from? Here's what someone told me recently:

"You want to get the three or four best guys from Kentucky and there's your base, the core of your class. Then hopefully you get seven or eight from Ohio, a couple from Georgia, a couple from Florida, and you're on your way to filling it out."

That's the road map, folks. And while it might not hold true every year, it's probably a pretty good rough sketch of how things will play out.

I have been told that Kentucky is in hot pursuit of "about 50" prospects, and they're hoping to sign "about 20." You've got to be careful, do darn well and get it right, because that 50 can dwindle in a hurry and you can find yourself in a heap of trouble.

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In-state recruiting notes

Having spoken with a few sources, I would not be shocked if Kentucky is very stingy with in-state offers in this class. Currently, three Kentucky recruits have offers from the Wildcats: Drew Barker, Matt Elam and Reggie Bonnafon. There are a select few others still under consideration, e.g. Nacarius Fant, R.J. Taylor, etc., but it's a select few and the staff seems to have soberly assessed the situation: Most of the guys in the state just aren't quite explosive enough to be a part of an SEC depth chart.

Let's take a quick look at the latest on a couple of in-state guys.

Barker and I have exchanged texts quite often of late and he will be at Tennessee next weekend, Kentucky April 8 and then April 10, and then South Carolina the weekend of April 13. It's possible he could take trips after that, but it looks to me like that's going to be his final three, ultimately. I go back and forth in terms of my confidence with Barker, and today I feel better about UK's chances than I had over the past week or two.

One source told me this recently: "[Kentucky] feels pretty good about him ... If [they] don't get him, [they] just weren't going to. [They've] done everything they can do."

Kentucky can't sell Barker on a history of double-digit win campaigns or an SEC title next year. But they can sell him on throwing to guys like Ryan Timmons, Thaddeus Snodgrass (in all likelihood) and a talented array of skill position players. The staff is making the case that all the pieces will be in place for Barker to have a long and prosperous career as the starting quarterback in Lexington, and as of today, I believe it's a pitch that's resonating in a big way.

Drew Barker is Kentucky's No. 1 target. Period. Regardless of position. If he commits, he's the only QB the Cats take. He knows this. He's the kind of guy that does his research independently, which is why he was a bit concerned when there were rumors that Kentucky had offered another quarterback. But I have it from good authority that the issue was resolved and will not hurt UK's chances. On top of that, I know that Barker is following UK's recruiting efforts very closely on a daily and weekly basis. That's a very good sign.

Kentucky is very confident they could get DeShone Kizer to visit, almost immediately, if they moved on from Barker. But they aren't, and there are good reasons for that.

On to Matt Elam ... someone floated a rumor to me recently that Elam loves Charlie Strong and is leaning to Louisville. I don't buy that. I think Kentucky is the most likely landing spot, followed by Alabama, then Louisville and Tennessee/Florida after that. Two separate sources have indicated that Elam's "personality" is more likely to help Kentucky than Alabama. He's a quieter kid, not super 'on edge,' and is probably a better fit in the UK program than in the pressure cooker that is Tuscaloosa - where the fans and the coaches make things a bit wilder.

I'm not sure, at this point, that Fant is going to get an offer. In fact, were I do make a guess today I would be inclined to say no.

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Notes on Ohio recruits

Kentucky feels very good about that talented 'core' of top Ohio prospects that know one another very well: Thaddeus Snodgrass, Derek Kief, Mike Edwards, Darius West, etc.

Snodgrass is likely to announce sooner rather than later and I'm starting to hear some good information on the details, but just not a good time to shed light on it. Kief is at Ohio State this weekend, one week after visiting Alabama, and then it's on to Kentucky.

Edwards probably has Kentucky at the top of his list, followed by Louisville and perhaps Nebraska, and he told me today he's still planning to narrow his list "in the next couple of weeks," as he's been telling me and Josh Helmholdt for a few weeks already. And Darius West is, frankly, staying more open-minded than I imagined he would, but UK is still in good shape.

The tight ends, Ethan Wolf and Darryl Long, are guys UK feels good about, and with good reason. Wolf visits in a couple of days and Long is likely to attend the Wildcats' spring game. However, it's a total dogfight between UK and Louisville for the top spot on Long's list. After those two I would put North Carolina; the Heels offered recently. He's targeting a summer decision and I could not tell you whether he's leaning to Kentucky or Louisville. I think he has a great bond with the guys at UK, but he's enamored with where UofL is "right now."

As sources indicated late last week, and as we first reported here at Cats Illustrated, Brady Taylor has emerged as a huge target for UK. I'm now hearing Michigan State will probably offer very soon. But I still think UK will be in pretty good shape. Vince Marrow has a good relationship with Taylor's family and I've learned never to bet against "Mr. Ohio."

Kentucky's recruiting efforts on the offensive line are heavily concentrated in Ohio. There are guys elsewhere; Bookser in PA, Wynn and Brown in FL, etc., but Ohio is a great state for OL talent and it's right in Kentucky's backyard. The offer list reflects that. And as I mentioned, expect UK to try and get five linemen. Barker is watching UK's recruiting efforts along the line very closely.

Note: I'm hearing that Cincinnati (Ohio) Mariemont lineman Jon Bezney has an offer from Kentucky and has emerged as another top target in the trenches.

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Notes on Visitors/Strategy

Kentucky is a school that will get plenty of frequent unofficial visitors from Ohio, but it's not centrally located enough to attract a lot of guys from Florida, Georgia, Alabama, etc., before official visit season. For that reason, the staff's strategy is to hang around and make the top five, and hopefully get an official visit late in the process. That's the hope with guys like Bryson Allen-Williams (who Bradley Dale Peveto is in good contact with), Raekwon McMillan (contact has been more sporadic with him, as it is with all the top, top guys), Blake Bone (who Mainord is working hard and effectively), Jarvis Stewart (currently committed to USF), etc.

Kentucky is trying to get Justin Jackson and Eric Shute in for visits but has been unsuccessful to date.

Speaking of visitors, I confirmed today that Chris Frey is a good-looking linebacker that the Cats like, probably a little more than Airius Moore. Neither has an offer. You don't want to offer until you are absolutely sure you want these three-star types. And this staff is very confident in their ability to seal the deal while a kid is on campus. They're just personable, energetic guys that bring guys into their comfort zone and make them feel right at home. Make no mistake about it: Frey would love to be a Wildcat, and he's another solid (5.6, three-star) LB. Always nice to know you've got that option.

Also, it's worth noting that Dante Sawyer's high school coach - who coached Lexington Catholic for many years - was at Kentucky just yesterday. The Cats are in Sawyer's top five and they're hoping to "hang around."

E.J. Moss, from Alabama, also reportedly tripped to UK recently, and I'm hearing Kentucky feels good about their chances.