Mark Zerof-USA Today Sports
The Kentucky Wildcats wrapped up a festive spring game weekend with a big-time commitment: 4-star wide receiver Thaddeus Snodgrass. To Note: With LSU defensive end Barkevious Mingo departing for the NFL, Snodgrass will officially take the title of ‘Best Name’ in college football. Snodgrass, from Springfield, Ohio, is the second commitment for the Wildcats, joining linebacker Dorian Hendrix, from Huber Heights, Ohio.
Newly minted head coach Mark Stoops has been more than impressive in his short time in charge of the Kentucky program. What’s especially been surprising, is how well he’s fared on the recruiting trail. Everyone knew he was a good recruiter, but selling SEC caliber recruits to come to Lexington and not Tuscaloosa is a tough task for even the most talented recruiters alive. So far, so good. Stoops put together a top thirty class in just a few months time for the 2013 class, closing as well as just about anyone in the country.
This class of 2014 will be Stoops’s first full class, and historically, this is when a new coach makes a true impact (see Hugh Freeze at Ole Miss). Stoops knows it needs to be long on numbers as well as talent.
The pickup of Snodgrass will add some talent to an already thin position. It’s no secret the Wildcats are lacking elite talent in their receiving corps, and are in the market for electric playmakers like Snodgrass. Snodgrass isn’t huge at 6-foot 1, 185 pounds, but he plays bigger and stronger than he really is. He’s a physical wideout with good speed, quickness and instincts. He’s adept at reading coverages and knows how to manipulate them. He doesn’t have the best hands in the world at this point, but that’s something a couple months with a JUGS machine can easily remedy.
What’s next for the talented wideout? Recruiting for his new school, which is precisely why he chose to announce his decision at the Blue/White spring game, in front of other top recruits.
Snodgrass is picking the Wildcats over West Virginia, South Carolina and Louisville.
Rick Stavig is a National Recruiting Columnist for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @rickstavig or add him to your network on google.
