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Posted by catmandoo (Member # 1284) on 07-12-2013, 10:52 AM:

No doubt about we we are up with big boys with our 2014 class.

Kentucky has not sustained the balance of Jimmys and Joes with X's and O's since it began playing football in 1891. But with just one signing class under his belt -- and the fastest recruiting start in school history -- new Wildcats coach Mark Stoops may have struck a chord that is playing well in Lexington.

In the final two months before signing the class of 2013, Stoops and his staff elevated the program to its highest finish in the Rivals.com era with its first top 30 showing -- closing at No. 29. Five months into the recruiting period for the class of 2014, Stoops is on pace for the top 20. The class spent nearly a week atop the rankings and is still inside the top five as of this writing.

"I am very pleased with the reaction that we have seen since we got here," Stoops said. "The class of 2013 finished really strong for us, and that momentum has carried over to this class.

"It was exciting to see this class sitting atop the rankings and have the social media reaction be what it was; that was nice to see. I am pleased with what we have been able to do so far, and even though there is a long way to go I think we are on the right track."

The current class has 18 commitments. Kentucky has had more than five verbal pledges through the first week of July only once since 2004.

There is a quintet of four-star players on board, all members of the Rivals250 presented by Under Armour.

Quarterback Drew Barker of Burlington (Ky.) Connor is ranked No. 117 and has become a lead recruiter for the staff.

He is joined by all-purpose back Stanley Williams from Bethlehem (Ga.) George Walton Academy, running back Mikel Horton of West Chester (Ohio) Lakota West, Lima (Ohio) Central Catholic defensive back Darius West and wide receiver Thaddeus Snodgrass from Springfield (Ohio) High. The four rank 96, 131, 185 and 205, respectively.

Stoops said that having a strong core of players aligned with the program will help attract others.

"The excitement and the momentum, I think, have helped create a buzz," he said. "The leadership of the guys we have committed has helped as well.

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