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Live Blog | National Signing Day updates

Steve Jones, and Jonathan Lintner
Recruiting Insider

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Refresh often(or click here) for updates throughout National Signing Day on Wednesday, when we'll be following recruiting decisions and school announcements from programs around the area.

FOR MORE:Full list of U of L signees | UK signees | WKU signees | IU signees

2:54 p.m. -- After a delay, it's official -- Devote Fields is headed to U of L. The former TCU linebacker rounded out the Cards' 25-man 2015 class (which includes a UAB transfer). Bobby Petrino is set to talk about the haul at 4:30 p.m. -Jonathan Lintner

2:30 p.m. -- Per The Courier-Journal's Kyle Tucker, full comments from Mark Stoops: http://cjky.it/1DyPu4M

1:31 p.m. - Kentucky coach Mark Stoops gave a pretty passionate argument for why college football should have an early signing period during his signing day press conference. Stoops, whose class lost six decommitments in eight days over the past two weeks, said an early period in December would save time and money and protect both teams and prospects. -Steve Jones

1:29 p.m. - U of L also has announced that Kiola Mahoni has signed. That leaves only DeVonte Fields among the commitments still outstanding, but it's probably just a matter of time before we get official word of that. - Steve Jones

1:20 p.m. - Trinity Valley Community College coach Brad Smiley said he expected U of L commitment DeVonte' Fields to sign with the Cardinals at about 2 p.m. Fields was signing at home, not at the school today. - Steve Jones

12:53 p.m - Louisville has now announced that it has received a letter of intent from three-star Lilburn, Ga., defensive end G.G. Robinson, who consider a late offer from Auburn, where his dad, Gerald, was a standout player. That's a significant accomplishment for U of L. The Cards beat out a powerhouse team that they'll face in Week 1 on a legacy recruit. They also held off Florida earlier in the week after Robinson visited there, and Missouri and Kansas State have tried to flip him, too. U of L now has 23 signees, including UAB transfer Jamari Staples. Only the jucos DeVonte' Fields and Kiola Mahoni are yet to be announced. - Steve Jones

12:41 p.m. - Western Kentucky University appears to have signed its full class, introducing 15 new players to go along with five previously announced additions. Doss High tight end Tyler Jefferson is expected to grayshirt, delaying his enrollment to next. DeSales defensive end/linebacker Bryant Pirtle was not included on the signing list either. Neither is Lexington Catholic quarterback Reese Ryan.

12:15 p.m. - With the addition of Lamar Jackson, U of L's signing list now only lacks, among its known commitments, junior-college defensive end DeVonte' Fields, junior-college offensive lineman Kiola Mahoni and Georgia high school defensive end G.G. Robinson. Mahoni goes to school in California, so that makes sense he would come in late. Robinson is still weighing a new offer from Auburn. Not sure what the holdup is on Fields, but I assume it's a formality that he'll sign. - Steve Jones

11:53 a.m. - Big, good news for Louisville - four-star quarterback Lamar Jackson has signed with the Cardinals over a late push from home-state Florida.

11:40 a.m. - Here's a thorough update from UK beat writer Kyle Tucker from Lexington on some of the Cats' early enrollees who met with the media today.

LEXINGTON, Ky. – As has become the norm the last three years, the University of Kentucky's 2015 football signing class had a distinct Ohio flavor on Wednesday. Seven players from the talent-rich Buckeye State officially joined the Wildcats' program.

Tight ends coach and recruiting coordinator Vince Marrow is the main reason, and that's why Michigan pursued him last month and UK gave him a contract extension and a raise that averages $100,000 more in salary each of the next three years.

"I couldn't believe when I got here how many guys were from Ohio," said four-star tight end C.J. Conrad, a LaGrange, Ohio, native who enrolled early. "I think we should keep it going."

As long as Marrow and head coach Mark Stoops – who played together at famed Cardinal Mooney High School in Youngstown, Ohio – are in town, that seems likely.

"Obviously Coach Marrow was a big factor in my coming here," said linebacker Courtney Love, a Nebraska transfer from Youngstown who is petitioning the NCAA for immediate eligibility. "Coach Stoops, I've been knowing these guys ever since I was a little kid. … You have guys who are going to have your back through everything, gonna make sure you do everything right, gonna make sure you get everything you need – within reason.

"I feel like with Coach Stoops, Coach Marrow, I have that second father figure away from home, rather than a coach that's not really around."

George Asafo-Adjei, a 6-foot-5, 315-pound offensive guard from West Chester, Ohio, who had offers from Florida, Louisville and West Virginia among others, said Marrow's appeal is simple: "He made me feel like I was wanted here." Love called Marrow a "special person" who just "has that thing for recruiting."

Before Stoops and Marrow arrived, Kentucky had just four players from Ohio on its roster. This year, the Cats landed the No. 11, 19, 21 and 27 prospects from that state, according to Rivals.com's rankings, plus Love and fellow Nebraska transfer Greg Hart, both top-50 players in the state coming out of high school.

"I think Coach Marrow is a real guy," said Hart, a tight end from Dayton whose first scholarship offer in high school was from previous UK coach Joker Phillips. He wasn't interested in the Cats then, but the program has "flipped around 100 percent" under the new staff. "(Marrow) doesn't really give you anything in the gray; he's very black and white and I think that he's there for your best interest and he makes that known that he's going to develop you and get you better and he's very invested in you and I think that's really important for a player."

Added Asafo-Adjei on Marrow and Stoops: "I believe in what they're going to do, and I believe they're going to be here and we're going to get better."

11:30 a.m. - Final decision coming up for Louisville commitment Lamar Jackson, four-star QB from Boynton Beach, Fla. Gators have been trying to flip him after visit last weekend.

11:12 a.m. -- A UK spokesman says that's it for the Cats today. It's a 23-man class. Mark Stoops will discuss at 1 p.m. Watch him live here: http://bit.ly/1Dy7lIV

10:57 a.m. -- UK's not done yet. The school just announced the addition of Alvonte Bell, a defensive end from Florida. That's 20 signees now for Mark Stoops and company, plus the pair of Nebraska transfers. -Jonathan Lintner

10:53 a.m. -- After a period without any announcements, U of L confirmed its receipt of a letter of intent from linebacker Tim Bonner. One other announcement to watch today: 4-star corner Javarius Davis will reportedly choose from Auburn, Florida and U of L at 1 p.m. -Jonathan Lintner

10:45 a.m. -- UK, after losing Marcus Lewis to Florida State, jumped in to fetch a commitment from Courtney Miggings, a 6-foot-5 junior college defensive tackle from Georgia. That's 22 signees now for the Cats. -Jonathan Lintner

10:32 a.m. -- Rashad Fenton, another U of L defensive back prospect, signed with South Carolina earlier. So with both him and Sheldrick Redwine off the board, where will Cards coaches turn? Treston Decoud, a 3-star corner from Northwest Mississippi Community College, is a possibility. -Jonathan Lintner

10:26 a.m. -- It's a flip to Miami from U of L for Sheldrick Redwine, the defensive back from Florida. Miami-based reporter David Furones said Redwine put on a Cards hat but had a Canes cap on underneath it, revealing his decision. -Jonathan Lintner

10:25 a.m. -- Read into GG Robinson's tweet as you will. The defensive end, who just this week reaffirmed his commitment to the Cards over Florida, also received an offer from Auburn, where his father played. Tweeted Robinson this morning: "My house just erupted." -Jonathan Lintner

10:20 a.m. -- As we still await word on Sheldrick Redwine, at least one other prospect is off the board for U of L. Running back Ke'Shawn Vaughn, who visited the week of the Cards-Cats game in November, committed to Illinois. -Jonathan Lintner

10:09, a.m. -- Marcus Lewis, a top 100 defensive back, has committed to Florida State over UK and Miami. The Cats had 21 of 22 spots filled on their big board. We'll see if coaches had a backup plan for Lewis, who would have ranked among UK's top signees had he committed. -Jonathan Lintner

10:07 a.m. -- We're still awaiting a Sheldrick Redwine decision. He's there with Jaquan Johnson, an early Miami enrollee. -Jonathan Lintner

9:54 a.m. -- Sheldrick Redwine, the safety and U of L commit, has both a Cards and Miami hat set up at his announcement. We'll see if he flips to the hometown Canes. -Jonathan Lintner

9:43 a.m. -- Trey Smith, son of great NFL receiver Jimmy Smith, is signed and sealed to U of L. A proud dad sent out a photo of today's ceremony. -Jonathan Lintner

9:40 a.m. -- Decision supposedly coming up soon for four-star safety Marcus Lewis, UK's biggest defensive target. Deciding between Cats, FSU, Miami and Texas. UK's livestream video shows a board with 22 names. Could be saved for him or someone else. FSU trending with the most buzz at this point. -Steve Jones

9:25 a.m. -- Add another for the Cards -- Devante Peete, the 4-star receiver -- and for the Cats. 3-star safety Marcus Walker is UK's 20th member of the class. There are 22 spots on the big board in Lexington. Check out the link to UK's page above for highlights of most of Mark Stoops' signees. -Jonathan Lintner

9:05 a.m. -- U of L's class is up to No. 30 at Rivals.com and UK No. 37, about 10-12 spots higher than just a few days ago. The Cats were boosted by a few late additions not announced until today. -Jonathan Lintner

9 a.m. -- The most-praised of UK's signees -- and the Cats have announced nearly their whole class already -- has been over early signee George Asafo-Adjei, who assistant Vince Marrow figures for immediate playing time because he enrolled early. So practice your pronunciations, UK fans. -Jonathan Lintner

8:53 a.m. - Manual High sent a news release that running back Michael Nero, who was injured this year but is one of the best players in the state, will announce his college decision during the school's signing ceremony at 1:45 today. The C-J's Jason Frakes will be there. Among football players, Manual also will honor Jordon Gonzalez and Ty'Ron Horton, who are signing with Western Kentucky and Jordan White (Kentucky State). -Steve Jones

8:50 a.m. - Some additional confirmed signees for UK and U of L (previously committed):

Trey Smith and Amonte Caban for Louisville. Smith is the son of former Jacksonville Jaguars receiver Jimmy Smith. He's listed by U of L as an "athlete" and he could play running back or receiver.

Caban, a four-star player on 247Sports.com, is a volume-tackling inside linebacker, and everyone I have ever talked to about him really, really likes him and thinks of him as one of the best players in Alabama who is not going to Alabama or Auburn. He had about 140 tackles last year, also was recruited by Clemson and Oklahoma. A big addition for Louisville. - Steve Jones

8:40 a.m. -- Shaq Wiggins, a U of L cornerback who originally played at Georgia, shared his perspective on National Signing Day, tweeting, "Well my friends you have just signed your life away. Literally." Wiggins sat out last year because of transfer rules but is expected to fill a void in the defensive backfield in 2015. -Jonathan Lintner

8:28 a.m. -- Louisville has also announced the addition of previously committed offensive lineman Geron Christian of Trinity Catholic in Ocala High School. His brother is Cards tight end Gerald Christian. - Steve Jones

8:23 a.m. -- Another new commitment for Kentucky is 6-foot-6 three-star Florida receiver Terrell Gosier. He was expected to commit to UK or West Virginia later this morning, but UK has already announced his signing. He visited Lexington over the weekend. Cats now up to 19 commitments. They've added four in the past two days after losing six decommitments in the eight days before that.

UK also has announced its received letters of intent from previously committed receivers Tavin Richardson and Jabari Greenwood.

8:11 a.m. -- A new commitment for Kentucky is Washington D.C. defensive back Will Jackson of St. John's High School in Washington D.C. He's been a UK name for a few weeks. Rated two stars by Rivals.com. Can play wide receiver and corner. Tall CB at 6-3. - Steve Jones

8:04 a.m. -- Two more are official for U of L -- cornerback Jaire Alexander and linebacker Jonathan Greenard. Both were expected to sign. -Jonathan Lintner

7:51 a.m. -- Western Kentucky, its class loaded with local talent, has already announced a pair of Manual High School standouts -- cornerback Jordon Gonzalez and defensive lineman Ty'ron Horton. Plenty more will come later for the Hilltoppers. -Jonathan Lintner

7:47 a.m. -- U of L's first signee announced today is Khane Pass, the 3-star safety from Georgia whose younger brother, Jawon Pass, is a top dual-threat quarterback in the class of 2016. -Jonathan Lintner

7:41 a.m. - A couple pieces of UK news from last night. The Cats got a commitment last night from three-star Sihiem King of Moultrie, Ga. Small, fast guy ran for nearly 2,100 yard and 37 TDs last season for state chamnpion Colquitt County. Here's a story from last night with comments and more background on King. He followed a commitment from Tampa CB Derrick Baity. -Steve Jones

7:37 a.m. - Steve Jones here. Thanks for joining us. Some notable times to watch for announcements and such that have been reported and we're aware of:

For Louisville,

-Sometime in the morning: Miami CB Rashad Fenton, who visited Louisville last week, will pick from U of L, South Carolina and Florida. Cards probably not considered the favorite here. If they get him, it would be big, and maybe a sign they've lost Sheldrick Redwine to Miami.

-Watch for what Ga. DE G.G. Robinson does. He turned down Florida to stick with the Cards earlier this week, but Auburn, where his dad played, made an offer just last night, and that would have to be a really hard offer to turn down for a legacy recruit, although he's stated previously that the Tigers were too late getting involved. He tweeted last night that he wished he could sign two letters of intent.

-10:00: U of L CB commit Sheldrick Redwine from Miami Killian supposed to sign with U of L or Miami. Been a soft commit to Louisville all along, visited Hurricanes last weekend. If Redwine does flip and Fenton doesn't pick U of L, maybe junior-college corner Treston Decoud, who would like a U of L offer, will sign late with Cards.

-10:00 4-star Nashville running back Ke'Shawn Vaughn down to WVU, Illinois, Louisville and Purdue. Purdue has been recruiting him the longest. Illinois had him for a visit last week.

-11:15: That has been reported as time U of L target Jalen Julius, Florida CB, announces between Ole Miss, Notre Dame and Cards. U of L considered a long shot here. His teammate, four-star RB Dexter Williams, also announcing today and he visited Louisville the same weekend as Julius.

- 11:30: U of L QB commit Lamar Jackson supposed to sign with Cards or Florida. Four-star player visited Gators last week. Has a great relationship with Lamar Thomas, so I'd think he'll probably stick with U of L. Coach said Monday U of L still the "front-runner."

For Kentucky, the 9 o'clock hour is big.

- 9:30: Florida wide receiver Therrell Gosier is supposed to announce between UK and WestVirginia. 6-foot-6 player who visited UK last weekend, and UK is the favorite in the 247Sports.com Crystal Ball. Gosier also tweeted that Louisville is a third finalist, for some reason, but the Cardinals are not recruiting him.

- 9:45: UK's biggest announcement of the day will be from 4-star safety/cornerback Marcus Lewis in Washington, D.C. He's down to UK, Miami, FSU and Texas. UK has been the slight leader for a long time, but that's before FSU and Texas made a late push. He's No. 80 on Rivals and ranked higher than anyone Stoops has ever landed.

- Others to watch are junior-college defensive lineman Courtney Miggins, also considering Mississippi State, and Ohio high school defensive end Marquise Copeland, who's committed to Cincinnati but visited UK last week.

7:30 a.m. -- UK will start rolling out its signees at 8 a.m., by the way, and should offer some early opinions from assistant coaches on all the new Cats.

7:25 a.m. -- U of L released a picture of its "Big Board" from inside the football complex, and it did include UAB transfer Jamari Staples, who recently chose the Cardinals over UAB. He will count against the limited number of players -- an average of 25 a year over two years -- U of L can sign today.

7:15 a.m. -- Welcome to The Courier-Journal's live blog for signing day coverage. While most commitments have already been made, it's another thing for schools to actually receive letters of intent. We'll update as they come in, plus cover a number of decisions related to area schools. And afterward, coaches -- UK's Mark Stoops at 1 p.m., WKU's Jeff Brohm at 4 p.m. and and U of L's Bobby Petrino at 4:30 p.m. -- will discuss their latest additions. Stay tuned for more from our team of reporters. -Jonathan Lintner