Three-star defensive tackle Javon Provitt commits to Kentucky

The mad scramble to land high school football recruits in the days leading up to Feb. 4 left the University of Kentucky with one fewer commitment Sunday, but only for a little while.

Just a few hours after Florida cornerback Jeremiah Dinson said he was no longer committed to the Wildcats, a three-star defensive tackle from Ohio announced his own pledge to UK.

Javon Provitt is the newest member of Mark Stoops' recruiting class of 2015 after calling the UK coach Sunday evening to deliver the news.

The 6-foot-3, 305-pound prospect from Warren, Ohio — just outside of Stoops' hometown of Youngstown — had narrowed his list last week to UK, Maryland and Pittsburgh. He has not yet visited Lexington, but UK recruiting coordinator Vince Marrow has been pursuing his commitment for more than a year.

Provitt is expected to take his official visit to UK next weekend, a few days before national signing day on Feb. 4.

All of the major recruiting services consider Provitt to be a three-star prospect in the class of 2015. 247Sports ranks him as the No. 77 defensive tackle in the country.

Eight of UK's 18 high school commitments for 2015 are from Ohio. The two Nebraska transfers who enrolled at UK this month — tight end Greg Hart and linebacker Courtney Love — are also Ohio natives.

The Cats have a commitment from one other defensive tackle in the class of 2015 — Ohio native DaVon Hamilton — though he took an official visit to Ohio State over the weekend and could flip his pledge to the Buckeyes between now and national signing day.

Dinson's decision to back off of his commitment to Kentucky was not a surprise.

The 5-11 cornerback had described his pledge to UK as a "soft commitment" in recent weeks. He took an official visit to Florida on Jan. 16 and was in Auburn for an official visit this past weekend. The Tigers are now considered the favorite in his recruitment.

Dinson was ranked as a three-star prospect.

Ulizio picks Michigan

Ohio offensive lineman Nolan Ulizio announced his commitment to Michigan on Sunday.

Ulizio had emerged as UK's No. 1 remaining target on the offensive line for 2015 and was contemplating an official visit to Lexington before he received the scholarship offer from Michigan a week ago. He attends the same high school that produced current Kentucky players George Asafo-Adjei, Mikel Horton and Kyle Meadows.

Kentucky has commitments from four offensive linemen for the class of 2015, including Asafo-Adjei, who enrolled in school this month and will be eligible to participate in spring practice.

Weekend visitors

Wide receiver Tavin Richardson and junior-college defensive lineman Courtney Miggins made it to Lexington for their official visits over the weekend. Both players are uncommitted, though Richardson plans to announce his college decision Friday.

Junior-college wide receiver Kayaune Ross did not take his scheduled official visit to UK. He plans to come to town next weekend instead.

Illinois athlete Titus Booker was expected to take an official visit to UK, but he also did not make the trip. Booker is committed to Wisconsin and it appears that he will stick with his pledge to the Badgers.

UK commitment Logan Stenberg was in Lexington for his official visit this weekend.

This story was originally published January 25, 2015 at 7:32 PM with the headline "Three-star defensive tackle Javon Provitt commits to Kentucky."