Image from @bluesmith_
Tomorrow could be a huge day for the Kentucky Wildcats or it could just be another ordinary day for a program on the rise in the SEC. Top UK target and five-star athlete, L’ Christian “Blue” Smith, is making his college announcement on Sunday, a long anticipated one for fans of the Wildcats and Ohio State Buckeyes. The decision will come prior to his high school teams (Wayne) ESPN matchup vs. Pine-Richard at 1:30 p.m. ET.
The decision comes down to an established championship program like Ohio State, or a Kentucky program climbing towards the top of the SEC pecking order. Both schools are attractive to the 6-5, 198lb talent from Dayton, OH., however, recent momentum, if there is such a thing, belongs to the Buckeyes.
Ohio State is attractive because it is the home state Buckeyes, but the Wildcats have a few things working in their favor. Smith’s high school teammate, UK commit Alex Reigelsperger, has made his pitch for him to join the Wildcats since he committed in February of 2017. The Wildcats were also the first school to extend a scholarship offer to Smith, something that has kept Kentucky in the race this long. However, most believe it will not be enough to lure Smith to Lexington.
Almost all of the Big Blue Nation has given up hope on Smith committing to the Wildcats, but the truth is nobody has a clue. Smith has kept things quiet and not revealed any hint of a possible favorite. Even on social media, he has balanced retweets between Kentucky and Ohio State, nothing to signal he is leaning towards Lexington or Columbus.
Smith made his decision a few weeks back, but chose to keep it quiet until tomorrow’s ESPN announcement, something that leads media members to believe the Buckeyes will be the choice. A national spotlight announcement for a football recruit isn’t something the Wildcats are used to getting, but it wouldn’t shock me if Smith chooses Kentucky on Sunday.
I am yet to make a prediction and I don’t plan on doing so, because I honestly do not know. Smith has been on record saying that he wanted to keep his decision quiet and let it be a surprise to everyone. A commitment to the Buckeyes would not be a surprise, but a pledge to the Wildcats would shock the college football world.
It is unclear what has led to the overwhelming predictions for the Buckeyes to be the choice on Sunday, as media members cannot give a confident reason why they believe Kentucky is not the choice. Regardless of what school Smith chooses to attend, his recruitment shows just how far the Wildcats have come not only in the SEC, but also the nation. Going down to the wire for a five-star talent from Ohio is something majority of Wildcat fans never thought were possible, but that is what has happened. There is only one thing for certain; emotions will be high following Smith’s announcement on Sunday.
