Prior to last week’s National Signing Day, the thought of the Kentucky football staff signing former Alabama-commitment Justin Taylor was unheard of and completely out of the picture.
While it was a good surprise, the steals may be far from over. In fact, Joker Phillips is targeting another top Georgia running back by the name of [B]Quinten James[/B] (North Cobb HS).
James, who plays at the alma mater of graduating senior Matt Roark, has held an offer from Kentucky for quite some time. The Cats were the first to offer him, and because of that, it has given UK an upper-hand.
“I’m very interested in Kentucky, and it doesn’t hurt that they offered me first. I respect that interest,” James began. “They are recruiting me pretty hard.”
Some members of the staff traveled to North Cobb High School two weeks ago to visit James ad his coach. The 6-foot-1 running back said the visit went really well.
In addition to Kentucky, James also sports offers from Clemson, Georgia Tech, Illinois, Purdue, and Vanderbilt, but other great programs like Alabama and Oregon are also showing strong interest.
Despite having top teams recruiting him, James includes Kentucky in his top five:
“I would say my top five is Kentucky, Georgia Tech, Clemson, Alabama, and North Carolina right now (in no order).”
Georgia Tech has also stuck out for James, as the “proximity to home” and “steady improvement of the program” have caught his eye.
“I would say Georgia Tech is recruiting me the hardest. It’s closer than other schools, so it is easier to travel and the coaches can see me more.”
Over the next month, the star junior has a busy schedule with Junior Days. This weekend he is at Georgia Tech, and Georgia, Alabama, and Virginia will follow. James also plans to see Kentucky twice.
“I plan on going to Kentucky’s Junior Day, and then I will attend a basketball game at a later date,” he explained.
Obviously, Phillips is using the success of John Calipari’s basketball team to help lure recruits to Lexington; not a bad idea, if I do say so myself.
Not only has James proved himself as a top running back, but he is also a very good linebacker. But where will his skills take him on the next level?
“I prefer to play running back, but I can see myself playing linebacker at the next level and as my career progresses. I think I could be more recruited as a linebacker.”
Either way, Kentucky will gladly take the star stud. A team can never have too many players in the backfield in the SEC, and the linebacker position could be a question-mark in the next few years.
Follow Garrett Tucker on Twitter [URL=”https://twitter.com/#%21/GTuckersports”]@GTuckersports[/URL] for more info on Kentucky recruiting.
