Coming into high school, John Young thought he would be a defensive end or maybe even a basketball player.
“Then I came into high school (at Louisville Christian Academy) and the coaches asked me to try playing (offensive) tackle. It came naturally to me. I started my freshman year and now here I am,” said the 6-6, 280-pound Young.
He became one of the state’s best player — he’s ranked fourth in the 2020 recruiting class in Kentucky and among the nation’s top 30 tackles by 247Sports — and earlier this week he ended his recruitment by making his verbal commitment to Kentucky. HIs other finalists were Ohio State, Auburn, Michigan, Georgia, Purdue and Louisville.
Just as he said he would Thursday when he joined me on WKYB (107.5 FM), Young said there will be no more recruiting for him. He won’t take any more visits and there will be no wavering from his pledge to Kentucky and coach Mark Stoops.
“After I commit, my recruitment is shut down. I will be fully 100 percent committed. I will not take any other official visits. There will be no de-commitment. That’s just now how I am,” Young said Thursday.
He likes the way Stoops and his staff have developed talented. He also likes what offensive line coach has done with in-state players Landon Young and Drake Jackson along with others.
He has won two straight state championships at Louisville Christian Academy and hopes now he can concentrate on helping his team win another one his senior year.
Young originally was scheduled to announce his college choice Monday — even though he told me Thursday his choice was made — but moved it up a day after taking his official visit to UK over the weekend.
“When I was at the spring game a few weeks ago it felt like home and I was ready to start recruiting other players to come,” Young said. “I really think we can have a top 20, top 10 recruiting class with all the in-state talent we have.”
Credit UK recruiting coordinator Vince Marrow again for helping close the deal with Young.
“He came to see me a lot, at school, at games. He seemed like he was always there,” Young said. “He was always great to talk to and he’s a big part of developing players at Kentucky off the field to get them ready for what lies ahead. I really enjoyed getting to know him.”
