While Kentucky basketball fans spent weeks worrying that the sky might be falling at least until Mark Pope secured a strong first commitment the mood around Kroger Field couldn’t be more different. Those watching Will Stein build his football roster are thrilled with the direction of the program.
Stein just landed Jake Nawrot, the No. 2 quarterback in the 2027 class, and has vaulted Kentucky to No. 11 nationally in 247Sports’ transfer portal rankings. Yes, you read that correctly: Kentucky is knocking on the door of a top-10 portal class in the entire country. And with yet another commitment on the way, the Wildcats are poised to climb even higher.
On Thursday, three-star 2027 tight end Tank Proctor flipped from Auburn to Kentucky, per Rivals.
Stein’s Latest Flip
Following Proctor’s visit to Lexington, reporter Steve Wiltfong put him on “high flip alert,” hinting that another big Stein win was coming. Now that the move is official, Kentucky fans can celebrate yet another sign of the program’s rise within the SEC.
In an interview with Rivals before announcing his decision, Proctor explained what impressed him most on his visit:
“What stood out to me is the facility and how the coaching staff and players are all locked in together and are like a family.”
That Stein has already built such a tight, family-style culture in less than half an offseason is remarkable—something Mark Stoops never truly sustained during his long and now-concluded tenure.
A New Message to the SEC
Stealing recruits from SEC rivals is a fresh and exciting development for Kentucky football, and Stein pulling off Proctor’s flip is the latest example of the new staff asserting themselves in college football’s toughest league.
As Kentucky continues to show up in the mix for top recruits whether uncommitted prospects or players pledged elsewhere the Big Blue Nation’s confidence in Stein’s first season only grows.
Proctor, at 6-foot-5 and 220 pounds, brings a physically developed, reliable pass-catching target who should factor into the offense alongside Nawrot in the 2027–28 cycle. His size and skill set make him a natural “go get it” option in Stein’s system.
Kentucky is officially becoming an SEC disruptor, and fans are enjoying every second of it. Right now, it feels like Will Stein simply cannot be stopped.
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