Kentucky football is already looking ahead to the future of its quarterback room, securing a commitment from highly touted 2027 prospect DJ Hunter. The 6-foot-2, 195-pound quarterback from Bearden High School in Knoxville, Tennessee, announced his decision to join the Wildcats after a recent visit to Lexington.
Although Hunter is currently unranked in national recruiting rankings due to his early class status, his potential is undeniable. After transferring to Bearden this past season, Hunter made an immediate impact despite playing in just eight games.
The dual-threat quarterback completed 76 of 142 passes for 1,431 yards and nine touchdowns, in addition to rushing for three more scores. His impressive combination of arm strength, size, and athleticism has caught the attention of college programs nationwide, with Kentucky jumping at the chance to secure his commitment.
Hunter’s transfer to Bearden came after recovering from an injury that limited his play earlier in the season. However, his strong finish to the year, combined with his leadership skills, helped solidify his reputation as one of the top emerging quarterbacks in the region. His performance has already generated significant buzz among recruiting analysts, and it’s expected that Hunter will be ranked among the top quarterbacks in his class once full evaluations are completed in the coming months.
For Kentucky, this marks a major win in the 2027 recruiting class. Head coach Mark Stoops and offensive coordinator Bush Hamdan have been proactive in scouting and developing quarterback talent, and Hunter’s commitment gives the Wildcats an early edge in building a future offense. His skill set aligns perfectly with Kentucky’s evolving offensive system under Hamdan, which favors quarterbacks who can extend plays and make throws at all levels of the field.
Hunter visited Lexington on Saturday and followed up with trips to Tennessee and Virginia earlier this month, but his time in Kentucky clearly left a lasting impression, prompting his swift commitment. While there’s still plenty of time left in his recruitment process, Kentucky now has the opportunity to establish a strong relationship with Hunter and his family over the coming years.
As the first commitment in Kentucky’s 2027 class, DJ Hunter offers a strong foundation and tremendous potential. If his development continues on its current path, the Wildcats may have secured a future star of college football.
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