Kentucky’s recruiting operation is on an uptick after landing 15 commitments over the last month. The Cats are riding high after securing a pledge from blue-chip quarterback Matt Ponatoski on Sunday. However, the program received some tough news on Tuesday.
South Florida linebacker Adam Balogoun-Ali has made his final decision. The pick wasn’t UK.
BREAKING
Read: https://t.co/qBiiBib0AB pic.twitter.com/QUHZr3GShI
— Rivals (@Rivals) July 8, 2025
The high three-star recruit and top-500 prospect was one of the Kentucky’s top linebacker targets this cycle. After flipping four-star wide receiver Denairius Gray out of a long-time Auburn commitment, the Tigers won a head-to-head battle against Kentucky. Missouri was also a finalist.
Three-star recruit Max Mohring remains Kentucky’s only linebacker commit in the 2026 class. UK could look to address this position again when visits can resume once the season begins in the fall.
Kentucky’s 2026 high school recruiting class
| Player | Position | High School | Ranking |
| Matt Ponatoski | QB (6-2, 190) | Cincinnati (Ohio) Moeller | 4-star (No. 257 overall) |
| Denairius Gray | WR (6-1, 170) | Hollywood (Fla.) Chaminade-Madonna | 4-star (No. 302 overall) |
| Messiah Tilson | S (6-2, 165) | Rockford (Ill.) Guilford | 4-star (No. 343 overall) |
| Jordan Crutchfield | CB (6-2, 195) | Vero Beach (Fla.) High | High 3-star (No. 424 overall) |
| Dallas Dickerson | WR (6-1, 180) | Bogart (Ga.) North Oconee | High 3-star (No. 467 overall) |
| Lincoln Watkins | TE (6-4, 225) | Port Huron (Mich.) Northern | 3-star (No. 606 overall) |
| Tyreek Jemison | iOL (6-5, 330) | Dallas (Ga.) Paulding County | 3-star (No. 688 overall) |
| Prince Jean | WR (6-0, 170) | Valdosta (Ga.) High | 3-star (No. 733 overall) |
| Garrett Witherington | DL (6-4, 290) | Birmingham (Ala.) Briarwood Christian | 3-star (No. 989 overall) |
| Davis McCray | WR (6-2, 190) | San Antonio (Texas) Cornerstone Christian | 3-star (No. 1,089 overall) |
| Max Mohring | LB (6-3, 215) | Malvern (Pa.) Prep | 3-star (No. 1,296 overall) |
| Delvecchio “Deuce” Alston II | RB (6-0, 200) | Trussville (Ala.) Hewitt-Trussville | 3-star (No. 1,331 overall) |
| Cameron Miller | T (6-5, 310) | Hammond (Ind.) Morton | 3-star (No. 1,388 overall) |
| Ben Duncum | DL (6-5, 250) | Austin (Texas) Lake Travis | Unranked |
| Isaiah McMillian | CB (6-0, 170) | Katy (Texas) High | Unranked |
The post Kentucky target Adam Balogoun-Ali commits to Auburn appeared first on On3.