Kentucky and Louisville have been fighting for the top spot in all sports in the state of Kentucky since the two institutions existed.
Despite being known and followed for the basketball rivalry, the two rising football programs continue to bring a new flavor and intensity to the state of Kentucky.
Jalen Boyd (Class of 2012, Louisville Western HS, Ken.) is a prime example of one who has expressed interest in both respective teams.
However, few have the connections this junior does.
“I really talk to Coach Nord a lot. I met him at Louisville and my dad went to Louisville, so we have known each other for awhile,” Boyd explained.
Fortunately for Boyd, both in-state schools have expressed interest in him and they are at the top of his radar early.
“I don’t have a list right now, but if I had to put them in order, I would have Louisville, Kentucky, Illinois, and Arkansas.”
Thus, he is giving a lot of attention to Kentucky and Louisville.
When asked how interested he was in Kentucky, Boyd had this to say:
“I have a lot of interest in (Kentucky). They are the home-state school and it’s not far from home. My parents and family could watch me when they wanted.”
One would assume Louisville is the same way in Boyd’s mind.
However, Boyd doesn’t think either of the home-state schools are recruiting him the hardest right now.
“I think Indiana and UCLA are recruiting me the hardest out of the teams that have not offered me; Illinois would have to be the one that is recruiting me the hardest out of the teams that have offered me,” Boyd said.
Despite that, he believes Kentucky is interested and their interest is there too.
“I could make a good case for them recruiting me as hard as all the other teams. I just haven’t got an offer yet.”
Boyd is getting attention from plenty of schools, including Illinois, Stanford, Arkansas, Nebraska, UCLA, and Indiana to add to Louisville and Kentucky.
Boyd is also becoming very versatile on the defensive side of the ball, giving teams yet another reason to covet him.
“On defense I can play a lot of places. I can play linebacker, but I moved to safety this year. Coaches have also noticed I could move and play some corner, too.”
Boyd doesn’t have any plans for visits right now, but as his senior year approaches, he will start traveling around to see where he wants to play college football.
Until then, he will continue to get better and wait for his opportunity.
“I need to work on my ball skills. I had some chances to get interceptions last year, but I couldn’t come up with them. I have to work on that.”
While Boyd continues to work on getting better, his in-state schools will continue to give him looks and watch him develop.
It should be a great competition to see who can get this Kentucky player, whether it be his two home-state schools or someone else.
He has had the privilege to be within both programs for some time.
One would think he will stay home, right?
Checkout some video of Jalen:
[youtube_sc width=430 url=fCcfdtKaBEM]
Follow Garrett Tucker on Twitter [URL=”http://twitter.com/GTuckersports”]@GTuckersports[/URL] for more info on Kentucky recruiting.
