Kentucky's first recruiting class in the Will Stein era just got even stronger

New Kentucky Wildcat head coach Will Stein. Michael Clevenger/Courier Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Kentucky's first recruiting class in the Will Stein era just got even stronger

By Andrew Kulha | Last updated May 21, 2026 4:12 PM ET

The Kentucky Wildcats are looking to build something that can lead to a high level of success in the SEC.

Being good is just not good enough anymore. If the Wildcats were happy with being just good on the gridiron, they would have stuck with Mark Stoops, who went 82-80 in 13 seasons at Kentucky.

Especially in the expanded College Football Playoff era, there is a chance for Kentucky to make some noise, though. That's why they went out and hired an up-and-coming head coach in Will Stein, who is only 36 years old.

Stein was the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach for three seasons under Dan Lanning at Oregon, so he's got a strong resume. Just like with any new coach, though, he's going to earn his keep on the recruiting trail.

To that point, Kentucky got some great news on Thursday. The Wildcats beat out the Louisville Cardinals, Iowa Hawkeyes, Auburn Tigers, Indiana Hoosiers, Florida State Seminoles, Pitt Panthers and others for a top target.

That would be running back Kelsey Gerald:

BREAKING: Class of 2027 RB Kelsey Gerald has Committed to Kentucky, he tells me for @Rivals

The 5’11 203 RB chose the Wildcats over Indiana, Auburn, and Florida State

“Big Blue Nation, I’m home and ready to work!”https://t.co/q3vhAqIcUt pic.twitter.com/DezV2YcZnH
— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) May 21, 2026

From Lake Worth, Florida, Gerald is a three-star running back who is ranked as the No. 49 player at his position nationally.

“Kentucky showed me constant love from day one,” Gerald told Rivals.

Will Stein building a solid 2027 class for Kentucky Wildcats

The three-star took a trip to Lexington in April, and that likely sealed the deal for the Wildcats. It wasn't just about seeing what Kentucky had to offer, though.

It had more to do with Stein and his staff than anything.

“Going up to the school and meeting the coaches showed me real brotherhood and what a real program is supposed to look like,” Gerald said. “Just talking with coaches and watching them run a practice, I put my future and trust in Kentucky’s hands.”

Gerard is Kentucky's 17th commitment in a class that is looking great in the early going of the 2027 cycle. In fact, Stein's class is ranked No. 10 nationally.

If he can keep that ranking up, he'll have Kentucky humming in no time.

“I feel as if they have something big brewing and I want to be apart of it early,” Gerald said.

Andrew Kulha

Andrew Kulha is probably the only sports writer you know who also doubles as a mortician. Spooky! @KulhaSports

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