Kentucky got a big defensive boost to its 2021 recruiting class on Wednesday, as 4-star linebacker Trevin Wallace announced that he was choosing the Wildcats during a national signing day ceremony. He picked Kentucky over Auburn and Ole Miss, his other finalists.

Wallace became the fourth 4-star recruit in the Wildcats’ 2021 class, as well as the 18th overall signee. And Kentucky coach Mark Stoops later had high praise for the 6-foot-2, 209-pound linebacker out of Wayne County High School in Jesup, Ga.

“Trevin is as talented an inside linebacker as we have recruited here,” Stoops told reporters, including Jeff Drummond of Cats Illustrated. “He jumps off the tape as you watch film. He’s the type of athlete with the potential to make an immediate impact.”

Wallace is the No. 140 overall recruit in the 2021 class, per the 247Sports Composite rankings, as well as the No. 9 inside linebacker and the No. 15 recruit from Georgia. He was once committed to Boston College, announcing that decision on June 9, 2020, but he later decommitted on Nov. 29.

Prior to Wallace’s signing, Kentucky had only three 4-star recruits in its 2021 class, all of whom were offensive players — guard Jager Burton and wide receivers Dekel Crowdus and Christian Lewis. So Wallace was a welcome addition for the Wildcats, as he immediately became their top defensive player in the class.

Now, Wallace will try to live up to his potential once he arrives at Kentucky, as it’s clear the Wildcats are excited to be adding him to the team in the near future.