Kentucky lands talented tight end, bumps class to 18th nationally

Stoops Troops’ got a big bump in the recruiting rankings on Friday with the official commitment of 2018 tight end Brenden Bates.

I'm very excited to announce that I will be furthering my academic and football career at the University of Kentucky!! #committed #BBN pic.twitter.com/Ob5bkBNEJ1

— Brenden Bates (@BatesBrenden) March 10, 2017

Bates, listed by 247Sports Composite as a three-star recruit and the No. 13 player at his position. Bates will take his talents to Lexington this fall barring any setbacks and assuming he sticks with his commitment until National Signing Day.

The 6-5, 230-pound tight end is listed as the Wildcats’ best recruit in the class, and he bumps the group up to No. 18 nationally and fifth in the SEC. Recruiting has certainly picked up under Mark Stoops, who has increased the Cats national rankings in each of the last seasons. With Bates already in the bag, this may start the ball rolling on another big class for Kentucky.

The Cincinnati, Ohio, native continues Kentucky’s impressive win streak in the state. While it’s Stoops’ home state, the Cats have put a target on the state and have been very successful.

With incumbent starter C.J. Conrad entering his junior year in 2016, it sets the stage for Bates to compete for the job in 2018.

Tidbit on new UK verbal Brenden Bates: His grandfather, Gene Neff played basketball for Adolph Rupp.

— Jeff Drummond (@JDrumUK) March 10, 2017

Will Ogburn

A former resident of both Baton Rouge and the heart of Crimson Tide country, Will Ogburn handles multimedia content and news coverage for Saturday Down South.