Kentucky and head coach Mark Stoops got an early Christmas present on Sunday — as 2017 defensive end prospect Christopher Whittaker committed to the program.

Previously committed to UCF, Whittaker flipped his pledge after an official visit this past weekend.

A native of South Florida, the 6-foot-4, 246-pound three-star chose Kentucky over offers from UCF, Arkansas, Colorado, Georgia, Notre Dame, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee.

Whittaker is long prospect. He’s got terrific initial burst off of the line of scrimmage, and is adept at disengaging with offensive linemen.

Suffice it to say, but Stoops was elated over the new of Whittaker’s commitment:

“When I told coach Stoops in person (at the end of my trip) he jumped out of his seat and was so excited. He asked me if I wanted to be a Wildcat and I told him yes. They did a perfect job. He told me exactly what I wanted to hear and how they are going to do it. They have a spot for me if I work for it. I especially like coach Brumbaugh’s philosophy with what he does with the defensive linemen.”

Whittaker becomes the 15th known commitment in the 2017 class for UK.