Kiyaunta Goodwin rocked the Big Blue Boat on Wednesday morning, but he ultimately stayed in it.
Goodwin, a five-star prospect who’s considered one of the best offensive tackles in the nation, announced that he will sign with UK during a Wednesday evening broadcast on CBS Sports HQ. He’d been committed to the Wildcats since April, but his recruitment remained open over the course of the season, during and after which he frequently visited with Alabama, Michigan State and Texas A&M.
“I’ve had a chance to meet a lot of people I didn’t know I’d ever be able to meet,” Goodwin said prior to making his announcement. “ ... Been able to talk to a lot of great coaches and learn a lot of great things. ... But with that being said, I’m staying home and playing football for the University of Kentucky.”
At about 8:15 a.m. Wednesday, Goodwin during a web broadcast on Stadium announced that he wasn’t sure when he’d be signing but was down to two finalists, Kentucky and Michigan State. News of his second announcement, originally scheduled for 3:30 p.m. then pushed to 5 p.m., broke a couple hours later.
“Toughest decision I’ve ever had to make in my life I’m sorry I need more time,” Goodwin wrote in a Twitter message prior to making his final announcement.
Per 247Sports’ historical player rankings, Goodwin is the highest-rated player to ever sign with Kentucky, surpassing defensive lineman Justin Rogers, who signed with the Wildcats as part of the 2020 class. A 6-foot-8, 335-pound offensive tackle, Goodwin likely will compete for immediate playing time — if not a starting job — on Kentucky’s offensive line in the 2022 season.
He is one of 11 players ranked as a four-star prospect or better that had signed with Kentucky through 5:30 p.m. Wednesday. UK was a finalist for a 12th, junior-college defensive back Zahquan Frazier, whose signing ceremony was scheduled for 6 p.m. Wednesday.
Goodwin told CBS that “relationships” were the difference-maker at the end for him. He developed strong bonds with the staffs at Michigan State and UK. Kentucky recruiting coordinator Vince Marrow had recruited him since he was in seventh grade.
“It was back and forth with both schools,” Goodwin said. “ ... I wasn’t ready this morning, but I was ready now.”
Goodwin spent his final two high school seasons at Charlestown High School in Indiana but he is a Louisville native.
