GOOD NEWS: Kentucky football lands state’s top-ranked recruit again but this one is a late riser.

Kentucky Football Lands State’s Top Recruit Again, This Time a Late Bloomer

For the fourth time in five years, Kentucky football has secured the top high school recruit in the state. Western Hills defensive lineman Javeon Campbell, part of the class of 2025, committed to UK over Alabama, Auburn, and Miami. Campbell took official visits to all three schools since May. The U.S. Army All-American also received offers from Florida, Ohio State, Notre Dame, LSU, and Georgia. As a junior, Campbell recorded 12.5 sacks in nine games. Unlike many top prospects, he wasn’t offered by UK early in his high school career, having only started playing football in 2023. UK was the 11th Division I program to offer him a scholarship on February 4.

Standing at 6-foot-5 and 265 pounds, Campbell was initially ranked seventh in Kentucky’s 2025 class by 247Sports in January. However, his recruiting ratings surged as high-profile offers came in during the spring. The 247Sports Composite now ranks him as a top-200 prospect nationally and the top player in Kentucky. Campbell announced his commitment during a live broadcast on the 247Sports YouTube channel from Frankfort on Tuesday morning. He reflected on how unexpected the process was, considering he hadn’t thought about football a few years ago.

“It was a crazy process really, but it was a good thing,” Campbell said. “It was insane how fast it happened. I wasn’t even thinking about football three or four years ago.”

Campbell detailed his decision-making process, noting it was challenging to choose from 23 schools with excellent facilities, equipment, and trainers. Ultimately, he based his decision on the people and the feeling he got from the campus. After revealing a Kentucky T-shirt and donning a UK cap, Campbell emphasized that Kentucky felt like home due to its great atmosphere, people, players, and community.

Kentucky coach Mark Stoops and recruiting coordinator Vince Marrow have had success recruiting top in-state talent in recent years. Campbell is the sixth four-star prospect in the 247Sports Composite to commit to Kentucky’s 2025 class. UK now has commitments from the top two recruits in the state, with Campbell joining Paducah Tilghman defensive back Martel Carters.

Kentucky also signed the top-ranked in-state recruit in 2024 (Jerod Smith), 2022 (Dane Key), and 2021 (Jager Burton), ending a previous streak where the top Kentucky recruit went to an out-of-state school.