[LeeCoUKFan]

Cats in front for JUCO lineman Hayes

Justin Rowland
Special to CatsIllustrated.com

Kentucky is obviously hitting the junior college ranks hard in an effort to build immediate depth and put a competitive product on the field right away.

To that end the Wildcats have accepted verbal commitments from junior college prospects like Za'Darius Smith, Steven Borden, Javess Blue, Nate Willis, Melvin Lewis and most recently Shyquawn Pullium.

Now UK leads for a junior college offensive lineman from El Dorado (Kan.) Butler County C.C.

"Kentucky offered me on Tuesday, I think it was," said tackle Luke Hayes. "My top three right now would be K-State, just because it's close to home, and Kentucky and Baylor. That would be my top three. if I put it in order it would probably be Kentucky at the top."

Kansas State, Baylor and Kansas are the other schools that have offered the 6-foot-6, 290-pound tackle.

Originally from Kansas, Hayes told Cats Illustrated he didn't grow up a big fan of either in-state football program. That has provided an opening for UK.

"I've talked to the offensive line coach, coach (John) Schlarman. Then I also talked to coach (Neal) Brown, the offensive coordinator. They told me about themselves and told me about the school. They said that they're getting ready to do some things, some new things to their stadium. They're getting a new football facility.

"I definitely have a lot of interest in them. Right now I'm just kinda keeping my options open and keeping an open mind."

Kansas State is the only school Hayes has visited recently. He was in Manhattan for the Wildcats' spring game.

Hayes was not a highly recruited prospect coming out of high school in part because he played tight end and defensive end.

"Now I'm playing offensive tackle and I think that suits me better. I wasn't ever really fast but for an offensive tackle I'm pretty fast," he said. "I'm a lot more confident in myself. I play more aggressive, which is another good thing that has helped me."

Hayes said he will wait until the beginning of September before he sets his official visits.

Conference affiliation could really help UK with Hayes.

"I definitely want to go play in the SEC because that's where the best talent is," he concluded.

http://kentucky.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1512398