BBN DOMINATES AGAIN: Kentucky Wins Massive Recruiting Battle Over Florida for Elite Tight End Lincoln Watkins
LEXINGTON, KY — In a monumental recruiting victory that’s sending shockwaves across the SEC, the University of Kentucky has landed one of the most coveted tight ends in the nation. Lincoln Watkins, a dynamic 4-star playmaker out of Clearwater, Florida, announced his commitment to Mark Stoops’ Wildcats over the Florida Gators, Tennessee, and Alabama — a decision that has Big Blue Nation erupting with excitement.
Watkins, listed at 6’5″, 235 pounds, is the prototypical modern tight end — equally dangerous lining up in-line or split wide. Known for his rare combination of size, speed, and agility, he tallied 56 catches for 812 yards and 12 touchdowns in his junior season alone, making him one of the most productive and explosive tight ends in the 2025 class.
“Kentucky just felt like home,” Watkins said during his live commitment on 247Sports. “Coach Stoops and Coach Marrow made it clear that I’d be a major part of the offense — not just a blocker, but a featured weapon. That stood out. They’re building something real in Lexington.”
The win is a major statement for Kentucky’s program, particularly against an SEC East rival like Florida, who had prioritized Watkins as a centerpiece of their 2025 offensive class. According to recruiting insiders, Florida had pulled out all stops, including multiple in-home visits and a planned NIL package, but Watkins’ official visit to Lexington sealed the deal.
Vince Marrow, Kentucky’s tight ends coach and recruiting ace, was instrumental. Known as “The Big Dog” for his relentless recruiting hustle, Marrow connected deeply with Watkins and his family.
“We don’t recruit guys — we build relationships,” Marrow said after the announcement. “Lincoln is a future All-SEC player. He’s going to help us win championships. And he believes in the vision here at Kentucky.”
Watkins is expected to be an immediate contributor in Kentucky’s offense, which continues to evolve under new offensive coordinator Bush Hamdan. With a system that emphasizes versatility, play-action, and mismatches, Watkins could be utilized similarly to past Wildcat greats like C.J. Conrad — but with even more upside.
Recruiting experts believe this commitment could trigger a ripple effect.
“This is the type of win that turns heads,” said Rivals analyst Mike Farrell. “It’s not just about stealing a kid from Florida. It’s about Kentucky proving it can go into the heart of SEC country and beat out the big dogs. That changes perception.”
As Watkins prepares for his senior season, his focus remains on finishing strong — and recruiting other elite talent to join him in Lexington.
“I want to build something special,” he said. “I’m already talking to a few guys about joining me at UK. We’re coming.”
With Watkins now in the fold, Kentucky’s 2025 class jumps several spots in national rankings and continues to trend toward becoming one of the most talent-rich classes of the Mark Stoops era.
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