State’s top prospect picks a school this weekend. ‘I like where Kentucky stands.’
The top uncommitted senior football prospect in the state of Kentucky will announce his college destination this weekend.
Jager Burton, an offensive guard at Frederick Douglass High School in Lexington, will make his decision via his Instagram account at 6 p.m. Sunday. His final five schools consist of Kentucky, Ohio State, Clemson, Alabama and Oregon.
Kentucky is the favorite, according to the “Crystal Ball” predictions from 247Sports.
“Kentucky’s a program that’s been on the rise under Coach (Mark) Stoops, they have one of the best offensive lines in the country and their player development at the position has been strong,” Steve Wiltfong, 247Sports’ director of recruiting, told the Herald-Leader on Thursday. “And it’s local. He’s given a strong look to those other programs but I like where Kentucky stands going into his decision.”
Both 247Sports and Rivals rate Burton as a four-star prospect at offensive guard. The 6-foot-4, 271-pound senior is considered the No. 1 player in Kentucky’s senior class by both services and is a top-five guard in both (No. 3 on 247Sports, No. 8 on Rivals). Rivals rates him as the No. 170 recruit, overall, in the country, while 247Sports tabs Burton as a top-100 prospect, coming in at No. 59.
Burton has been to the campuses of all five schools but wanted to take official visits before the COVID-19 pandemic delayed those opportunities. With a ban on in-person recruiting in effect through at least Sept. 30, the potential window in which he would possibly be able to take those visits has been reduced dramatically.
In addition to Kentucky, Alabama and Ohio State in recent months have been considered the biggest players in Burton’s recruitment. It’s worth noting that former Douglass lineman Walker Parks, one of Burton’s closest friends, signed with Clemson as part of its 2020 recruiting class.
Dekel Crowdus, another four-star prospect out of Douglass, has committed to Kentucky as part of the 2021 class. He is a wide receiver.
