After more than a decade at the helm, the Kentucky Wildcats decided to part ways with head coach Mark Stoops following the 2025 college football season.
Stoops finished with a 82-80 record during his 13 years as head coach, making him the winningest coach in Kentucky history and surpassing the previous record held by Bear Bryant. However, in his final two seasons, Stoops struggled, finishing with records of 4-8 and 5-7. As a result, the Wildcats chose to move on and appointed Will Stein, the offensive coordinator from the Oregon Ducks, as his replacement.
Stein aims to introduce a new brand of football to Kentucky, a program traditionally known for its strong defense but lacking in offensive prowess. He hopes to achieve this by attracting some of the best offensive talents in the recruiting landscape.
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Stein’s recruiting skills and vision have led Rivals’ Steve Wiltfong to predict that the nation’s top tight end recruit for the 2027 class will commit to the Wildcats. Four-star tight end Seneca Driver is ranked as the No. 1 tight end and the No. 25 overall player in the class, according to Rivals. The Kentucky native has also received offers from prestigious programs, including Oklahoma, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Alabama, Texas, Miami and Indiana.
Wiltfong’s prediction reflects an immediate ripple effect of Kentucky’s coaching change. While Stoops built the program on toughness and defense, Stein’s arrival signals a philosophical shift, one that resonates with elite offensive prospects. Landing the nation’s top tight end would validate that vision early and suggest Kentucky can compete nationally for skill-position talent, not just development projects.
Driver’s potential commitment would also mark a significant recruiting win within the state of Kentucky. Historically, the Wildcats have struggled to keep elite in-state offensive players from leaving for traditional powerhouses. If Stein can secure a player ranked No. 25 nationally with offers from Alabama, Ohio State, Notre Dame and Texas, it would signal a changing perception of the program among recruits and analysts alike.
Looking ahead, Kentucky’s 2027 recruiting class could become the foundation of Stein’s offensive overhaul. With Driver potentially headlining the group, the Wildcats appear poised to redefine their identity, and that transformation could begin as early as Stein’s first full recruiting cycle in Lexington.
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