Keeping Vince Marrow could be ‘the deciding factor’ in UK’s pursuit of Mike Drennen
Will Mike Drennen II stay close to home or spend his college days across the country?
As has been the case for several months, that’s the choice in front of the four-star all-purpose back out of Dublin Coffman High School in Columbus, Ohio. He told 247Sports analyst Bill Greene last week that other schools are still in touch and he’s listening, but his final decision is all but certain to be between Kentucky and USC.
The retention of Vince Marrow — who was linked to the head coach opening at Youngstown State University but announced Friday he would stay at UK — was big for the Wildcats on several fronts, but immediately so in their pursuit of Drennen. Marrow, Kentucky’s recruiting coordinator, has been his main point of contact at the school and has a relationship with Marrow going back to the summer before his freshman high school season.
Greene, an expert on Ohio recruiting, told the Herald-Leader that as of Monday night, Drennen’s father believed his son had not yet decided with whom he’ll sign on Wednesday, the start of the regular signing period. Greene logged a “crystal ball” prediction in favor of UK on Oct. 4 and has not wavered despite USC turning up the heat; USC head Coach Clay Helton and running backs coach Mike Jinks visited with Drennen at his home during two separate weeks in January, including last week when rumors swirled about Marrow’s job status in Lexington.
“The Marrow-to-Youngstown-State thing had him kind of shook up,” Greene said. “I think once Vince put it out there that he’s staying, I think that will probably end up being the deciding factor.”
Greene said he wouldn’t be shocked if Drennen decided to take his talents to Southern California: his mom is impressed with the school’s academic standing and has given her blessing despite it being 2,250 miles away from their home. For a while, proximity to home was believed to be a major factor.
“A big thing for him all along has been his mom,” Greene said. “ ... We’ll see. I think at the end of the day, his relationship with Vince Marrow is going to tell the tale.”
Devon Williams
UK’s first commitment of the 2021 recruiting class arrived last week in the form of a 6-foot-1, 215-pound linebacker.
Devon Williams, a junior teammate of Drennen’s at Dublin Coffman, committed to UK over a list of reported offers that included Michigan, Minnesota, Arkansas and Pittsburgh. He’s rated as a three-star prospect at outside linebacker by both 247Sports and Rivals.
Greene was surprised that he opted in so quickly; the early signing period for 2021 recruits is more than 10 months away.
“I knew he really liked Kentucky a lot but I thought he might stay open awhile just to see what kind of offers he could get,” Greene said. “ ... They’re just so well-coached there (at Dublin Coffman) and they play such great competition week after week, that Devon’s another one with a high-football IQ and is a great kid. He’s a three-down linebacker, I don’t think you ever have to take him off the field. Really good in coverage.
“I think it’s a great get for Kentucky. He’s going to be one of the top 15, 20 players in Ohio for the 2021 class.”
Another name to watch
Detraveon Brown, a wide receiver out of Shreveport, La., took an official visit to Kentucky in late January. He followed that with an official visit to Mississippi last weekend, but Brown told 247Sports’ Yancy Porter on Monday night that his offer from Mississippi was no longer on the table due to them flipping another recruit at his position.
“It’s the way it is in this business,” Brown told the site. “I don’t hold any hard feelings.”
Houston and Kentucky are in the running for Brown but he indicated to 247Sports that Texas-San Antonio, who offered him Monday, is the front-runner. Brown is rated as a three-star prospect by 247Sports and as a two-star recruit by Rivals.
National Signing Day
When: Wednesday
What: Beginning of regular period for students intending to sign a national letter of intent with Division I and Division II schools. It lasts through April 1 for Division I signees and through Aug. 1 for Division II signees.
Early Signing Period: For football signees, an early signing period ran from Dec. 18-20. Kentucky signed 21 players as part of its 2020 class during the early period.
This story was originally published February 4, 2020 at 7:42 AM.
