Kentucky keeps four-star defensive lineman home, beating out major schools

Javeon Campbell will go down as a huge recruiting win for Kentucky head coach Mark Stoops and his staff.

Campbell, checking in at 6-foot-5 and 265 pounds before his senior season in high school, he is ranked as the No. 15 defensive lineman in the 2025 class, per 247Sports.

He's also considered the No. 1 2025 recruit in the state of Kentucky, and with a favorites list that also included Alabama, Auburn, Miami, Ohio State and Georgia — it was massive for the Wildcats to keep the four-star home. Speaking of home, that's what Kentucky feels like for Campbell.

“Every school has great facilities, great trainers, great everything,” Campbell told On3 . “What made UK stand out is just the feeling all the staff gives off when I’m there. The place, location, everything. Close to home. That’s what sold it to me.”

Campbell goes down as Stoops' 15th 2025 commitment. His class is already ranked No. 20 in the nation, so the Wildcats have to feel they're building something special.

It's worth hyping, at least, and Campbell will head from Frankfort, Kentucky to Lexington with a fair bit of hype. As a junior, he finished the season with 14.5 sacks, in his first year playing high school football.