The Kentucky Wildcats were the first SEC school to offer the class of 2026 4-star linebacker Adam Balogoun-Ali back in April of 2023, and since then, Balogoun-Ali visited Kentucky and met with head coach Mike Stoops.
When Balogoun-Ali first got his offer from Kentucky, he realized how special it was.
“I felt great about receiving the offer,” Balogoun-Ali tells A Sea of Blue. “They were my first SEC offer, and that’s definitely something I noted.”
After Kentucky offered, other SEC schools started to follow suit with offers from Florida, Tennessee, South Carolina, Missouri, and Texas A&M. With many teams wanting Balogoun-Ali’s service, Kentucky was able to get him on a visit earlier this year.
“The visit was great,” Balogoun-Ali says. “I like the family. I feel they got in Lexington, and meeting up with Hardley Gilmore, someone I know from Florida, and hearing his spiel on the culture was great.”
With Balogoun-Ali already having a relationship with Gilmore, it helped bring a familiar face to his trip to Lexington.
“It was nice to hear from someone I knew was gonna be genuine about the program. His perspective definitely boosted my interest,” Balogoun-Ali talks about his relationship.
Since he has already a relationship with Gilmore, Balogoun-Ali continues to build one with the staff at Kentucky and has noticed how they have a similar mindset.
“My relationship with [Mike] Stoops is good. We have a very similar attitude for the game, and he’s definitely one of the coaches I’ve clicked with so far,” Balogoun-Ali tells us.
At this time, in Balogoun-Ali’s recruitment, no schools are currently leading, but he added that some schools are tied with each other. He mentioned what he wants in his next school once he commits.
“I look for the people and culture, Balogoun-Ali tells A Sea of Blue. “I want be somewhere where greatness is a standard that’s pushed towards within the team and not just the coaches.”
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