South Carolina lands 3-star linebacker Jaiden Braker

The biggest commitment window of the 2025 high school recruiting calendar wrapped up on Saturday. One day after seeing blue-chip cornerback Dawayne Galloway commit to Purdue, another Kentucky defensive target came of the board on Saturday afternoon.

Snellville (Ga.) South Gwinnett linebacker Jaiden Braker committed to South Carolina. The three-star recruit will be a Gamecock.

Shane Beamer‘s program got the first official visit in June before Braker made trips to Rutgers, Utah, NC State, and Kentucky. The Wildcats made a push for the defensive prospect, but the Gamecocks were largely considered the favorite throughout the process.

Kentucky has zero off-linebacker commits in the class of 2025. But that is not a reason for concern after the program loaded up at the position in the 2024 cycle. Devin Smith, Antwan Smith, and Quintavion Norman will each be first-year players in Mike Stoops‘ position room this fall. Jaden Smith and Steven Soles Jr. are versatile players who could play both inside and outside in Kentucky’s 3-4 scheme.

Kentucky’s Class of 2025

PlayerHigh SchoolPositionRanking

Cedric WorksClayton (Ohio) NorthmontEDGE (6-5, 230)4-star (No. 144 overall)

Javeon CampbellFrankfort (Ky.) Western HillsDL (6-5, 260)4-star (No. 167 overall)

Marquise DavisCleveland (Ohio) HeightsRB (5-11, 200)4-star (No. 186 overall)

Martels CarterPaducah (Ky.) TilghmanS (6-1, 185)4-star (No. 198 overall)

Kalen EdwardsDyersburg (Tenn.) HighiDL (6-4, 325)4-star (No. 320 overall)

Quintin SimmonsCincinnati (Ohio) WithrowWR (6-0, 170)4-star (No. 328 overall)

Darrin StreyPaw Paw (Mich.) HighT (6-6, 295)4-star (No. 397 overall)

Ja’Kayden FergusonMissouri City (Texas) Fort Bend MarshallWR (6-2, 175)High 3-star (No. 420 overall)

Andrew PurcellEnterprise (Ala.) HighCB (5-10, 185)High 3-star (No. 472 overall)

Stone SaundersHarrisburg (Pa.) Bishop McDevittQB (6-0, 205)3-star (No. 651 overall)

Demarcus GardnerCedartown (Ga.) HighCB (6-0, 165)3-star (No. 676 overall)

Brennen WardGahanna (Ohio) LincolnQB (6-2, 205)3-star (No. 736 overall)

Tucker KattusCincinnati (Ohio) St. XavierOL (6-5, 300)3-star (No. 1,094 overall)

Bryan AugusteCoconut Creek (Fla.) MonarchT (6-6, 285)3-star (No. 1,299 overall)

Nicholas SmithLoganville (Ga.) Walnut GroveDL (6-7, 255)3-star (No. 1,347 overall)

Preston BowmanPickerington (Ohio) NorthWR (6-0, 196)3-star (No. 1,386 overall)