Kentucky football lands 4-star defensive star from Tennessee

Kentucky college football is starting to give Kentucky college basketball a run for the state's top cat.

Tennessee native and highly touted defensive lineman Kalen Edwards has committed to the Kentucky Wildcats, the star defensive lineman announced on his social media handle on Wednesday.

"First off, I want to thank the man above, without Him none of this would be possible," Edwards wrote in a note posted on his X account . "I want to thank my mother for being in my corner throughout the ups and downs. I want to thank all my coaches, family, friends, and people who were there until this point in my life. And with that being said, for the next 3 to 4 years, I will be taking my talents to the University of Kentucky."

Edwards committed to Kentucky after fielding offers from several SEV rivals, most notably the Auburn Tigers and Ole Miss Rebels.

The four-star lineman out of Dyersburg, Tennessee, is coming off a strong 2023 high school season, during which he recorded 47 tackles, 13 two-sack games, and two forced fumbles. He is an impressive 6'3 feet, 325 pounds  and was ranked among Tennessee's top ten football recruits according to 247Sports .

It's another quality get for head coach Mark Stoops, who wants to put the Wildcats into SEC contention (and hopefully College Football Playoff) more consistently.

Stoops has put together a stellar 2025 recruiting class with 16 verbal pledges, with Edwards serving as another top defensive get along with studs like Javeon Campbell, Cedric Work,  and Nicholas Smith, and Deone Walker.

Stoops and his staff also snag other solid four-star recruits like wide receiver Quintin Simmons and running back Marquis Davis, rounding out a recruiting class that now is ranked No. 16 in 247Sports' composite team rankings .

Kentucky still has a long road to join the ranks of SEC titans like the Alabama Crimson Tide, Georgia Bulldogs, and newcomer Texas Longhorns, but it's a start.