Kentucky is targeting many of the top 100 defensive recruits in 2028

Jayden Bell (No 36 overall) - Bell is a terrific athlete who plays both sides of the ball. He'll need to add some strength, but has a frame capable of adding weight.

Braxton Rein (No 42 overall) - Rein has also played tight end, and could wind up there in college, but has the pass rush juice to play on the edge. He is a riser in the rankings.

Cam Toomey (No 55 overall) - Offers have poured in for Toomey, who already has an impressive height/weight combo. Many more will follow.

Keoni Snipes (No 67 overall) - Alabama will have an advantage and will try to keep him in-state. However, his size and athleticism will earn him plenty of options.

George Parkinson IV (No 89 overall) - Kentucky was in on Parkinson early, offering him a year ago. Penn State will try to keep him at home, though.

Defensive tackle

Asher Ghioto (No 6 overall) - Ghioto can play on the edge or inside, and his 6'6" frame can add more strength. Miami is the early leader for him.

Prince Che (No 14 overall) - Che is a Georgia product, and his home-state Bulldogs are at the forefront of his recuitment.

Kellan Hall (No 25 overall) - Hall is a Kentucky product, but Stein will have a hard time keeping him home with offers from Ohio State, Notre Dame, and Oklahoma among others.

Jamarcus Jackson (No 33 overall) - Johnson is massive at 6'5" and 300 lbs. He projects as a potentially dominant run stuffer in the middle of a defensive line.

Geraci Carson (No 65 overall) - Carson is a 300 pounder who is rising in the rankings. Major program offers have begun to roll in as he flies up boards.

Ayden Woodruff (No 81 overall) - Woodruff has enough size and strength to line up inside, but enough length and quickness to play on the edge as well.

Linebacker

Tahj Gray (No 40 overall) - Gray is a rangy linebacker who has the speed to pursue all over the field, but has experience as a blitzer as well.

Cornerback

Jai'lil Goley (No 37 overall) - Goley has impressive length at 6'1", and also runs well. He has shown a knack for being in the right place and making the play.

Jermaine Cobbins (No 45 overall) - Kentucky offered Cobbins back in 2024, and was the very first he received. Despite not being the coach that offered him, Stein would love to have him.

Isaiah Taylor (No 74 overall) - Taylor is a fantastic athlete who runs track and also plays quarterback. Kentucky will be battling nearly every Texas school for his services.

Giovanni Tuggle (No 76 overall) - Tuggle is another track athlete will a varied skill set. He locates the ball well and has the hands to finish plays.

Tyler Boyd (No 80 overall) - Boyd uses his length well in coverage and also isn't afraid to go up and make a hit. Some services have him ranked even higher.

Grayden Reid (No 84 overall) - At 6'3", 185 lbs, Reid has tremendous size for the position. He's also a Kentucky product, so the home state schools are heavily recruiting him.

Safety

Casey Barner (No 10 overall) - Barner is a big hitter who gets his momentum going in a hurry. His offer list is a who's who of college football.

James Foster III (No 20 overall) - The Longhorns are the likely favorite for Foster, a Texas kid. He's a tough box safety who can move well enough to be effective in coverage.

Phoenix Evans (No 51 overall) - Evans will need to add some weight at just 160 lbs, but his football IQ and athleticism are top notch. He can play all over the defense.

CJ Craig-James (No 83 overall) - Craig-James is 6'3" and closes on the ball as well as anyone. His length is a big plus, allowing him to prevent completions.

Dion Edwards (No 86 overall) - Edwards has a good length/speed combo, but will want to add some weight. Tennessee is the early favorite here.

Athlete

A'mir Sears (No 1 overall) - Currently the top player in the class, Sears projects as a college cornerback. Miami is likely in the driver's seat right now.

Madoxx Davis (No 26 overall) - Ohio State is the early leader for Davis, a speedy athlete who will probably be a receiver at the college level.

Logan Thompson (No 43 overall) - Thompson has the hands to play receiver, but also plays cornerback, which might be his best position.

Lorenzo McMullen Jr. (No 44 overall) - Kentucky has had success recruiting in Ohio, and McMullen is a Cincinnati product. He has terrific speed and figures to be a receiver.

Nick Carroll (No 47 overall) - Carroll has been a playmaking free safety, but could also play receiver. Georgia will try to keep him in state.

Kevin Hartsfield (No 78 overall) - Hartsfield is another Georgia product, and will likely play running back in college. Some services have him much higher in their rankings.

Braylen Bedford (No 98 overall) - Bedford has excelled as a deep safety who will come up and make plays. He's also a track athlete with terrific speed.

This article originally appeared on UK Wildcats Wire: Kentucky football targeting top 100 defensive recruits in 2028