One-time Auburn commit Kalen Edwards is now headed to Kentucky. (X Photo)
Defensive lineman Kalen Edwards of Dyersburg, Tenn., verbally committed to Auburn in November after becoming a major target for the War Eagles and visited Auburn for games against Georgia and Alabama.
However, Wednesday the 6-4, 330-pound Edwards verbally committed to Kentucky after getting an offer from the Wildcats on April 30. He had reopened his recruitment in mid-March.
He announced on social media that he was going with UK over Louisville, Memphis and Auburn after being in Lexington two weekends ago.
Edwards praised UK defensive coordinator Brad White in an interview with Josh Edwards of 247Sports.
“Coach White, he reminds me of my defensive coordinator and I like that because he reminds me of somebody. He is a defensive guy. He said he will be in on (individual drills), he will be on the line,” Edwards posted. “We was in the meeting room (and) he told me to get up and hit him as hard as I can because he just loves how defensive linemen strike. That is something that my coaches do here at home. It is crazy. I love that.”
He also said he loves the relationship he has with UK defensive line coach Anwar Stewart.
“I feel like he could really develop me and get me to the next level. It was all love. When I got there, it was just straight love from the beginning since I stepped in the door. He was cool. He kept it real,” Edwards told 247Sports.
He is a top 400 prospect nationally after making 47 tackles, including 12 for loss and two sacks, last season.
“First off I want to thank the man above. Without him none of this would be possible,” the four-star Edwards posted on social media. “I want to thank my mother for being in my corner throughout the ups and downs. I want to thank all my coaches and family and friends and people who was there up until this point of my life. With that being said, for the next 3 to 4 years I will be taking my talents to the University of Kentucky.”
Kentucky now has commitments from players in nine states and has moved into the top 20 in the 2025 recruiting rankings.
5 Responses
UK has raised its recruiting to a much higher level. Now the results have to be shown with wins…
• it is essential to beat the teams UK is favored to beat
• win more than 1/2 of the “close call” matchups is a must
• knock off 1 or 2 elites
10 wins will require a brand new pre-game approach. Stoops has not answered the need to stir up the players instead of putting them in a daze when in the locker room before games. This has been the same for the entire tenure and NOW IS THE TIME to bring in Tim Couch & others to FIRE UP the team with pre-game pep talks! Otherwise, 7 wins may be the ceiling or maybe 8.
I don’t think pep talks will get more wins in the SEC. Stoops has two 10 win seasons. The SEC is a different animal in football. The Cats now have the #20 ranked class in the country. That’s good enough for #10 in the SEC. SEC….It just means more.
Good luck to the TRIGG COUNTY CENTRAL lady wildcats and WILDCATS in 2024-2025 years school
Kalem Edwards has the dog in him. He’s going to be great with Campbell and the guys.
Our front 7 will be as good as anyone! Can our secondary play better and can our O line play well enough to allow Vandergriff be the man? The SEC just got tougher, if that’s possible, with the addition of Texas and Oklahoma. That means one less Popcorn State game. Stoops has brought us a long way forward, but now it’s time for him to show that we can play with the best of the SEC. An 8-4 season with a bowl win would do just that.