Kentucky’s first commit in 2022 recruiting class is now a decommit

Michigan defensive back Jeremiah Caldwell has decided to reopen his recruitment

He was Kentucky’s first verbal commitment in the 2022 recruiting class but even then one wondered if Michigan defensive back Jeremiah Caldwell would remain all-in with Kentucky, especially after secondary coach Steve Clinkscale left for Michigan.

“First I would like to thank the staff at the University of Kentucky for giving me the opportunity to come and play and be apart of their amazing program. When I had committed a few months ago I felt like this was the right choice for me and my family….. With a lot of time and thinking… I will be decommitting from the University of Kentucky and making my recruitment back 100% open. Thank you BBN nation for all the support,” Caldwell posted on Twitter Sunday.

He verbally committed to UK in January even though he had never visited the campus. The Cats were his first Power-5 scholarship offer before his sophomore season and the four-star defensive back decided UK was right for him.

“I felt like Kentucky was the only school really believing in me and I just wanted to make it happen,” Caldwell told me about his decision to commit. “They have been on me quite a while. I was in class and didn’t even know what was going on when they offered back in 2019.”

He cited Clinkscale as a major reason for his commitment.

“Coach Clink is going to keep it real. He ain’t going to sugar coat anything to you,” Caldwell said then.

Kentucky wanted him to play in the secondary even though he played both ways for his high school team. Caldwell said he was fine on defense even though he thought he could play receiver equally well in college.

I also asked him then if would shut down his recruiting after his commitment. His answer was honest but sounded some alarms.

“I just don’t know yet but I really like Kentucky and that’s why I committed,” he said.

However, he didn’t like Kentucky, especially without Clinkscale, to stay committed.