Kentucky in Top Five for '25 Quarterback Stone Saunders

The 2022-23 Gatorade Pennsylvania Player of the Year keeps the Cats as one of the frontrunners in his recruitment.

The quarterback position has been a debacle for much of the Mark Stoops era at Kentucky. That changed in 2021 when Will Levis took the reins for the past two seasons. 

The Penn State transfer has since departed to the pros and made way for NC State transfer Devin Leary, one of the better hurlers to enter the transfer portal this offseason. 

He'll have one season to make an impact in Lexington. Time will tell, but incoming 2024 4-star QB Cutter Boley, who committed to UK and reclassified in May, could become the signal-caller of the future for offensive coordinator Liam Coen. 

That doesn't mean it was time for Coen to stop hunting QBs on the recruiting trail, however. As he made ground and eventually landed Boley, a couple of other slingers in the '25 class have also earned offers. 

One of whom, Stone Saunders, included Kentucky in his top-five schools on Tuesday. Georgia, Michigan, Nebraska and Miami joined the Cats:

Blessed! Where’s home? @Hayesfawcett3 pic.twitter.com/A31PZAqrZi

— Stone Saunders (@Stone_Saunders8) June 27, 2023

Saunders is a 4-star, per ESPN and Rivals, but holds a 3-star ranking according to the On3 Consensus, which ranks him as the No. 333 overall player and No. 25 QB in the '25 class. ESPN is especially high on the Harrisburg, Pa. native, ranking him as the No. 12 QB. 

The Bishop McDevitt High School product was offered by Coen and UK back in January and has taken three unofficial visits to Lexington, coming in January, April and June. Saunders is yet to take official visits, but has also made three unofficial stops in Lincoln to see Nebraska and new Cornhuskers head coach Matt Rhule. 

Saunders threw for 3,583 yards and 54 touchdowns as a sophomore. He owned a .687 completion percentage and threw just five interceptions, averaging 255.9 passing yards per game. Across two seasons at McDevitt, he has 101 TDs to his name, per MaxPreps stats.

On3's Recruiting Prediction Machine currently tabs UK as the favorites for the 6-foot-1, 195-pounder who was named the 2022-23 Gatorade Player of the Year in Pennsylvania. Coen's growing track record under center proves to be a crucial part of the recruiting process for QBs considering the Cats.

Observations from Kentucky's final open spring practice HERE.

Safety Zion Childress is emerging as a leader on the UK defense

WATCH: Kentucky football's transfer portal signees speak to the media

Devin Leary discusses his decision to transfer to Kentucky HERE.

Ray Davis isn't following former Kentucky RB's footsteps. More HERE.

Want the latest on national football and basketball recruiting, including Cats targets? Head over to SI All-American for the latest news, blogs, and updates about the nation's best prospects.

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