'14 GA RB Stanley Williams (Kentucky Verbal)

[T Town Tommy]

Looks like Stanley may commit to Kentucky tomorrow. This kid is a baller but his Irish fiasco still puzzles me. Oh well... hope it works out for him.

 

[Luckylucci]

Stanely is a helluva talent. Kentucky must be putting something in the water, smh.

 

[T Town Tommy]

Stanely is a helluva talent. Kentucky must be putting something in the water, smh.

Not a done deal yet but the staff is pretty confident. As far as putting something somewhere... well, it probably isn't water.

 

[dublinirish]

Paper currency and water generally dont mix

 

[Kaneyoufeelit]

Committed to Kentucky

 

[LoveThee]

What is going on at Kentucky? Seriously. Stoops was never that great as an assistant at FSU was he? I don't get how a new coach can suddenly help a program that is such a dumpster fire but they have a great recruiting class. Its nuts

 

[Kaneyoufeelit]

I think the change-of-regime-it's-a-new-day line plays really well on a lot of recruits. They can have this kid. This made me laugh
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p>Not Notre Dame? “<a href="https://twitter.com/SethEmerson">@SethEmerson</a>: Former UGA commit. RT <a href="https://twitter.com/RowlandRIVALS">@RowlandRIVALS</a>: Stanley Williams, nation's #1 all-purpose back,committed to Kentucky.”</p>— Dawg Sports (@dawgsports) <a href="https://twitter.com/dawgsports/statuses/345290632098627585">June 13, 2013</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[T Town Tommy]

Looks like Neil Brown has his slot back for his air raid offense. Stoops and Co. is doing a good job recruiting thus far.

 

[GreenSox04]

He'll end up at Alabama...



Edit: yes I'm aware he doesn't have an offer, point being, flake.

 

[Rhode Irish]

Kids like this that aren't going to end up at ND, I look at it as a win when they end up at Kentucky and not anyone we could ever run into.

If I can contradict myself a bit, though, does anyone think that Kentucky could be a sleeping giant? I know they don't have much in the way of historical success, but it seems like a place where the right coach could win. It doesn't have academic standards to serve as an impediment like Duke. It has good brand recognition and cred with kids because of its basketball program. And they can offer kids a chance to play in the best conference in the country. The fan base is also capable of being big-time, as they are with basketball. I don't know much about the football culture in Kentucky, and maybe people there just aren't going to care. But it wouldn't shock me if they got good at some point.

 

[Son of Kenmare]

Committed to Kentucky but has never visited, received an offer or talked to coaches. Declared the recruiting reporters complete idiots for falling for this a second time.

 

[T Town Tommy]

I can't see Ky being anymore than an 8-4 team at best. They don't have enough in state talent to sustain a major college program. It is getting better as there have been several highly rated recruits in recent years.

As far as fan base, they do have that. Football is more fair weather than basketball - if you build it they will come. I think Stoops needs three years to make them into a decent, competitive team.

 

[NDdomer2]

Hard to build a football team with the Calipari blueprint. See how long this lasts.

 

[dwshade]

What is going on at Kentucky? Seriously. Stoops was never that great as an assistant at FSU was he? I don't get how a new coach can suddenly help a program that is such a dumpster fire but they have a great recruiting class. Its nuts

The Stoops have a long history in Ohio football. And Stoops added a couple of asst. coaches with ties to Ohio. As a result, of UK's 16 recruits 8 are from Ohio. Can also offer them immediate playing time.

 

[The Polish Irishman]

What is the under/over he stays committed to Kentucky. I say Halloween.

 

[LoveThee]

The Stoops have a long history in Ohio football. And Stoops added a couple of asst. coaches with ties to Ohio. As a result, of UK's 16 recruits 8 are from Ohio. Can also offer them immediate playing time.

Makes sense. Thanks. Would rep you but I've done it too much the last 24 hours haha

 

[dwshade]

Makes sense. Thanks. Would rep you but I've done it too much the last 24 hours haha

Like your avatar.

 

[T Town Tommy]

While Williams concedes that 2013 will be a “tough year” for the Cats, he predicts 2015 will be the breakout season for Stoops and company, in which they’ll WIN THE SEC CHAMPIONSHIP and “possibly bring a national title back to Lexington.” Wow. I might need to go take a cold shower after that.


Sometimes the juice ain't worth the squeeze.

 

[Irishnuke]

I don't often make guarantees, but I guarantee Kentucky does not have a top 10 recruiting class by NSD. No way this momentum lasts. Other schools will swoop in and take their recruits as well.

 

[Whiskeyjack]

While Williams concedes that 2013 will be a “tough year” for the Cats, he predicts 2015 will be the breakout season for Stoops and company, in which they’ll WIN THE SEC CHAMPIONSHIP and “possibly bring a national title back to Lexington.” Wow. I might need to go take a cold shower after that.

This implies that Kentucky has won a title before, which initially made me scoff. But it looks like one of Sagarin's models awarded them the 1950 title retroactively. Never mind that it's the flawed model (ignores margin of victory) which the BCS uses, and that Sagarin's preferred model (ELO-Chess) awarded it to Tennessee (the consensus 1950 champs). They're still claiming it. Sad.

 

[T Town Tommy]

This implies that Kentucky has won a title before, which initially made me scoff. But it looks like one of Sagarin's models awarded them the 1950 title retroactively. Never mind that it's the flawed model (ignores margin of victory) which the BCS uses, and that Sagarin's preferred model (ELO-Chess) awarded it to Tennessee (the consensus 1950 champs). They're still claiming it. Sad.

Yeah struck me as odd as well. Remember... this is the same school that ran Bear Bryant off because the Baron didn't want to compete with him for top billing.

 

[Luckylucci]

I don't often make guarantees, but I guarantee Kentucky does not have a top 10 recruiting class by NSD. No way this momentum lasts. Other schools will swoop in and take their recruits as well.

Also keep in mind that a lot of the highly rated kids aren't committed to the big programs yet. They'll probably end up with a good class but they will definitely be moving down the list as the year goes on.

 

[T Town Tommy]

Also keep in mind that a lot of the highly rated kids aren't committed to the big programs yet. They'll probably end up with a good class but they will definitely be moving down the list as the year goes on.

Agree. I look at their overall recruit average and it is around 3.33. I expect them to end somewhere around 20-25 when it all shakes out.

 

[STLDomer]

“@RowlandRIVALS: “In about two or three years Kentucky is going to be one of the top teams in the nation.” - Rivals100 RB and UK commit Stanley Williams”

 

[Irish2155]

“@RowlandRIVALS: “In about two or three years Kentucky is going to be one of the top teams in the nation.” - Rivals100 RB and UK commit Stanley Williams”

In basketball?

 

[AllGoldEverything]

“@RowlandRIVALS: “In about two or three years Kentucky is going to be one of the top teams in the nation.” - Rivals100 RB and UK commit Stanley Williams”

 

[smw6230]

“@RowlandRIVALS: “In about two or three years Kentucky is going to be one of the top teams in the nation.” - Rivals100 RB and UK commit Stanley Williams”

More likely, in about two or three years Mark Stoops will be coaching elsewhere!

Its fundamental, akin to Brian Kelly at Cincinnati. If Stoops elevates UK into the top 15 he'll be offered HC positions at double pay by schools where football is king and doesn't act as a second class citizen to the basketball program.

I get the enthusiasm of UK fans and recruits toward the blank canvas now leading them but this law is fundamental and has been repeated too many times to mention.

Say Saban decides to hang it up in 3 years. If Stoops has elevated UK into the top 15 and Alabama comes calling, where do you think he's coaching the following year? How about Michigan? Stoops is an Ohio native. If he turns around UK and Michigan comes calling, he gone!

 

[Irishnuke]

More likely, in about two or three years Mark Stoops will be coaching elsewhere!

Its fundamental, like Brian Kelly at Cincinnat. If Stoops elevates UK into the top 15 he'll be offered HC positions at double pay by schools where football is king and doesn't act as a second class citizen to the basketball program.

I get the enthusiasm of UK fans and recruits toward the blank canvas now leading them but this law is fundamental and has been repeated too many times to mention.

Say Saban decides to hang it up in 3 years. If Stoops has elevated UK into the top 15 and Alabama comes calling, where do you think he's coaching the following year. How about Michigan? Stoops is an Ohio native. If he turns around UK and Michigan comes calling, he gone!

Agree with all of this.

 

[BGIF]

More likely, in about two or three years Mark Stoops will be coaching elsewhere!

Its fundamental, like Brian Kelly at Cincinnat. If Stoops elevates UK into the top 15 he'll be offered HC positions at double pay by schools where football is king and doesn't act as a second class citizen to the basketball program.

I get the enthusiasm of UK fans and recruits toward the blank canvas now leading them but this law is fundamental and has been repeated too many times to mention.

Say Saban decides to hang it up in 3 years. If Stoops has elevated UK into the top 15 and Alabama comes calling, where do you think he's coaching the following year. How about Michigan? Stoops is an Ohio native. If he turns around UK and Michigan comes calling, he gone!

UK has only finished in the Final AP Poll 8 times in 77 years and only twice have they finished in the Top 10, '50 and '76. Bear Bryant got to #7 in '50 and left 3 years later for A&M after noting that UK wanted to be #1 but only in basketball which was coached by the UK AD Adolph Rupp. Fran Curci took UK to #6 but got UK on NCAA for recruiting/lack of institutional control violations. UK then went through 5 losing seasons but Curci was fired after 4 of them. After Curci was finished coaching he was appointed Commissioner of Parks by the governor.

As you noted UK isn't a destination on a Head Football Coach's journey, it's a way station.