Top 15 Kentucky high school football players from the Class of 2021

Signing five of the Bluegrass State’s top 15 recruits each of the last two years, the University of Kentucky is well on its way to achieving the feat again. The Wildcats own commitments from four of Kentucky’s top 15 2021 prospects, according to the 247Sports composite rankings.

Louisville has zero in-state commits, but that’s not entirely shocking. The Cardinals have signed three of Kentucky’s Top 23 prospects the last two years.

Ohio State has a commitment from the state’s No. 2 prospect and is a favorite (with Kentucky) for No. 1.

Seven of the state’s top prospects are undecided.  

See the complete Top 15 as compiled by 247Sports composite below.

1. Jager Burton, Frederick Douglass (Lexington)
6-4 | 271 | OG | Undecided
Country’s No. 7 guard prospect and a Top 125 prospect overall. All-American Bowl pledge holds 21 offers including Alabama, Clemson, Oregon, Oklahoma, Penn State, Texas and Tennessee. Ohio State and Kentucky considered slight favorites. Wingspan measures 77.5-inches. Says 247 recruiting analyst Allen Trieu: “Should be a highly productive college guard but could play center as well. He will come into a school ready to compete as far as functional strength. Would be a surprise if he did not start multiple years and have an opportunity to play beyond college.”

2. Jantzen Dunn, South Warren (Bowling Green)
6-2 | 178 | S | Ohio State
The 4-star prospect is the nation’s No. 11 safety prospect and No. 202 overall. Committed to the Buckeyes on April 20. Owns an astounding 40.8-inch vertical and 4.54-second 40-yard dash. Has long jumped 22 feet, 1 inch. Holds 30 offers, including Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Miami (Fla.), Michigan, Oklahoma, Penn State, Tennessee, Texas and USC. Says Trieu: “Is a high level athlete on the track and in combine settings, showing his explosiveness with strong marks in the vertical, long jump and broad jump in addition to very good speed and change of direction…Projects as a Power Five starter with the upside to develop into a NFL Draft pick.”

3. Dekel Crowdus, Frederick Douglass (Lexington)
5-10.5 | 165 | WR | Kentucky
Top 50 receiver prospect nationally is the Wildcats highest-ranked prospect in the current class and only 4-star. A Top 250 player overall. Committed to Kentucky on May 10. Auburn, Ohio State, Michigan, Oklahoma, Penn State, Tennessee and Texas also listed among his 22 offers. Clocks in at 4.4 in the 40-yard dash. Says Trieu: “Size and skill set project him into the slot…Fits today's offenses very well and should be a dangerous playmaker both at receiver and as a return man. Pure speed and skill set will give him a chance to play on Sundays.”

4. Jordan Dingle, Bowling Green
6-4 | 235 | TE | Undecided
Top 20 tight end prospect nationally. Owns 22 offers, including Kentucky, Louisville, Ohio state, Northwestern, Virginia tech, Arkansas, Georgia tech, Missouri, South Carolina and Vanderbilt. Has taken unofficial visits to Ohio State (twice), Northwestern and Kentucky. Brother, Justice, plays at Georgia Tech.

5. Jordan Lovett, North Hardin (Radcliff)
6-2 | 195 | S | Kentucky
Top 50 safety prospect nationally snagged 15 interceptions as a junior. Committed to Kentucky on May 20. Holds 15 offers, including Cincinnati, Georgia Tech, Louisville, Tennessee, Vanderbilt, West Virginia, Purdue, Missouri and Indiana.

6. La'Vell Wright, North Hardin (Radcliff)
6-0 | 204 | RB | Kentucky
Top 50 running back prospect nationally. Is currently the only running back on Kentucky’s roster. Committed to the Wildcats on May 6. Holds offers including Indiana, Maryland, Missouri, Northwestern, Purdue, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia.

7. Michael Lunz, North Hardin (Radcliff)
6-3 | 230 | ILB | Arkansas State
Nation’s No. 34 inside linebacker prospect is the Red Wolves highest-ranked prospect in the current class and the program’s 11th highest ranked recruit ever. Committed on May 15. Had 85 tackles, 20 tackles-for-loss and three interceptions last year. Also holds offers from Michigan State, Cincinnati, Arkansas, Toledo, Tulane and Navy.

8. Kaiya Sheron, Somerset
6-3.5 | 195 | PRO QB | Kentucky
Threw for 3,218 yards and 28 touchdowns and rushed for 959 yards and nine touchdowns last year. One of the nation’s Top 30 pro-style quarterback prospects. Also holds an offer from Marshall.

9. Jack Dingle, Trinity (Louisville)
6-4 | 205 | OLB | Cincinnati
Country’s 57th ranked outside linebacker prospect. Committed to Bearcats on April 25. Also holds offers from Louisville, Western Michigan, Miami (Ohio) and Liberty.

10. Reece Jesse, Hopkinsville
6-3 | 180 | WR | Undecided
A top 150 receiver prospect nationally. Holds 10 offers, including Kentucky, Missouri, Purdue, Tennessee, Washington State and West Virginia.

11. Tristan Cox, Pulaski County (Somerset)
6-3 | 235 | ILB | Purdue
One of the nation’s Top 50 inside linebacker prospects. Had 94 tackles, 20 tackles-for-loss and three sacks last year. Committed to the boilermakers on April 8. Also holds offers from Cincinnati, Kentucky, Louisville, Marshall, Toledo, Vanderbilt and West Virginia.

12. Keontae Pittman, Blazer (Ashland)
5-11 | 170 | RB | Undecided
A Top 100 running back prospect nationally. Cincinnati and Miami (Ohio) have offered.

13. Logan Weedman, Apollo (Owensboro)
6-4.5 | 238 | TE | Undecided
Considered the country’s 77th ranked tight end prospect. Holds offers from Kentucky and Western Kentucky. Has taken four unofficial visits to UK since September 2019. Owns 28.2-inch vertical.

14. Parker Bates, Apollo (Owensboro)
6-5 | 310 | OT | Undecided
Top 150 tackle prospect nationally. Holds offer from Kentucky.

15. Eli Blakey, DuPont Manual (Louisville)
6-2 | 185 | ATH | Undecided
Ranked the nation’s No. 115 athlete prospect. Holds 14 offers, including Indiana, Wake Forest, Toledo, Army, western Michigan, Central Michigan, eastern Michigan and Miami (Ohio).