[LeeCoUKFan]

Dubose gives UK its second Saturday commit

Justin Rowland
Special to CatsIllustrated.com

At this rate Kentucky could have one of the SEC's top defensive lines in the coming years. Tymere Dubose became just the latest big, athletic lineman to commit to the Wildcats on Saturday.

It was a big day for the UK football program. First three-star tight end Darryl Long pledged to the Cats. Next word leaked that Tymere Dubose had committed to Kentucky.

Cats Illustrated first reported this week that Dubose was planning a Wednesday press conference to announce his college choice. But Vindy.com, the webpage of the Youngstown (Ohio) newspaper The Vindicator, reported on Saturday that Dubose had picked Kentucky.

It wasn't a huge surprise as the Wildcats were believed to be the favorites for a number of reasons. First, Kentucky showed interest in Dubose and offered before most other schools, who only recently got involved. And Dubose's coach is Brian Marrow, the brother of UK assistant coach Vince Marrow.

Recently rated a three-star prospect by Rivals.com, Dubose also had offers from the likes of Michigan State, Arkansas, West Virginia and Maryland, among others. Altogether more than a dozen schools had offered.

Dubose has only played one year of high school football so in some respects he's still very raw. But the 6-foot-6, 265-pound defensive lineman is believed to have enormous upside, according to many scouts that frequent the region.

Given the fact that the state of Ohio does not have spring football and Dubose's lack of experience, it's understandable that he remained under the radar for so long.

He is Kentucky's fifth verbal commitment from the Class of 2014 and the only defensive lineman. He joins an impressive crop of young defensive linemen that will be entering the program in the years ahead. Also included in that group would be Jason Hatcher, Jacob Hyde, Alvonte Bell and Regie Meant, in addition to Za'Darius Smith and whoever else UK adds in this year's class.

Dubose's commitment boosts Kentucky's class up to No. 20 nationally on the Rivals.com team ranking list for 2014.

http://kentucky.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1500297