Kentucky soccer could have discovered its bellcow operating again of the longer term.
UK added a dedication to its 2023 recruiting class Friday night, when Jamarion Wilcox Pledged to the Wildcats over nationwide powers Ohio State, Clemson and Auburn.
Though it is too early to say how vital Wilcox shall be to move coach Mark Stoops, returning offensive coordinator Liam Coen and incoming switch quarterback Devin Leary as a freshman, his arrival doubtlessly fills an vital gap within the roster within the years to come back.
Kentucky soccer recruiting:These gamers have signed with the Wildcats’ 2023 class
The 5-foot-10, 195-pound senior from South Paulding Excessive College in Douglasville, Georgia, will step on campus in the summertime as a possible long-term alternative for NFL draft prospect Chris Rodriguez, who completed his profession with the third- most speeding yards in UK historical past.
Here is a take a look at what followers can count on from Wilcox:
What’s Jamarion Wilcox’s recruiting rating?
Wilcox is a four-star recruit in keeping with Rivals.com and a three-star on 247Sports.com. Relying on which website you are extra invested in, Rivals ranks Wilcox because the ninth-best operating again prospect within the nation and 146th total within the Class of 2023; 247Sports is much less bullish, rating him the Thirty seventh-best RB and 543rd total.
How good is Kentucky recruit and South Paulding RB Jamarion Wilcox?
Wilcox shined within the soccer hotbed Georgia, operating for two,145 yards and 29 touchdowns on 250 carries (almost 9 yards per carry) as a senior. He additionally sometimes confirmed off his palms from him, catching 18 passes for 287 yards and a TD.
South Paulding, a Class 6A faculty, went 8-4 in 2022 and misplaced to eventual state runner-up Gainesville 42-21 within the second spherical of the playoffs.
In keeping with his MaxPreps bio, Wilcox ran for 4,119 yards in 30 profession video games from his sophomore to senior seasons, scoring 55 touchdowns and averaging 8.1 yards per carry (these stats are lacking his 21-carry, 86-yard efficiency in opposition to Gainesville, although) . He completed with 32 catches for 522 yards and three TDs.
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Activate the tape, and Wilcox ought to remind Huge Blue Nation of latest operating backs that starred at Kroger Subject. He lists a 4.46 40-yard-dash time on his Twitter bio of him, and that velocity stands out in opposition to highschool defenders. However he would not make his hay taking pitches and sweeps out broad. Wilcox appears notably adept on the one-cut-and-take-off method.
A number of lengthy landing runs on his Hudl tape got here when he planted his foot onerous into the bottom as a defender was coming at him on the line or within the backfield and made a tough minimize into area, the place his velocity then took over. (That trait is likely to be helpful if Kentucky’s Huge Blue Wall is not fortified in 2023.) And that lateral agility was additionally on show on the second stage, the place he may bully by way of a linebacker and dance round one other to create room for a giant run .
Greater, sooner, stronger and smarter Southeastern Convention defenders won’t be so simply embarrassed, however Wilcox would not shrink back from the center of the sector.
Will Jamarion Wilcox begin for Kentucky subsequent yr?
Robust to say, though Coen on Thursday mentioned each operating again within the room may have the chance to make their case.
“We’re gonna roll the soccer out, and whoever can run and execute and acquire yards and break tackles and be the man in that room, that is who it should be,” Coen advised reporters over a Zoom name from California. “If it needs to be slightly bit extra by committee, that is one thing that we’ll need to do, as effectively. I am enthusiastic about a few of the guys in that room, however any individual must emerge and take it over.”
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With Rodriguez heading to the NFL and two different tailbacks (Mike Drennen II and Kavosiey Smoke) hitting the NCAA Switch Portal, Kentucky went out and added former Vanderbilt standout Ray Davis. The 5-foot-9, 205-pound San Francisco native began all 12 video games throughout his ultimate season with the Commodores and netted 1,042 yards and 5 touchdowns on 232 carries alongside 29 catches for 169 yards and three scores.
Contemplating his SEC expertise, Davis would be the frontrunner for the beginning job. He and Wilcox shall be competing for taking part in time in opposition to the likes of rising senior JuTahn McClain, redshirt sophomore to-be La’Vell Wright and former Sam Houston State switch Ramon Jefferson, who’s making use of for a medical redshirt waiver after struggling a season-ending damage within the first week of the 2022 season.
Wilcox suits the mildew of latest beginning UK backs, with a mixture of between-the-tackles energy and breakaway velocity. He could not find yourself pretty much as good as Rodriguez, however he may fill that form of roll so long as he is in Lexington.
Watch Kentucky RB recruit Jamarion Wilcox’s highlights
Courier Journal recruiting reporter Brooks Holton contributed to this report. Observe assistant sports activities editor Jake Adams on Twitter @jakeadams520 or electronic mail him at jadams@gannett.com