Mooney’s McWilson commits to Mark Stoops’ UK Wildcats

Staff report

One day after announcing he was reneging on a verbal commitment to the University of Nebraska, Cardinal Mooney safety Marcus McWilson made a commitment to the University of Kentucky. He announced the news on his Twitter account with the tweet, “Committed to Kentucky!”

McWilson made his verbal commitment to Nebraska — where Cardinal Mooney graduate Bo Pelini is head coach — midway through his junior year. However, Kentucky hired another Mooney graduate, Mark Stoops, as head coach in December.

Vince Marrow, another Mooney graduate who recruited McWilson for Nebraska as a graduate assistant, was hired as Kentucky tight ends coach by Stoops. McWilson took an official visit to Kentucky last weekend.

According to a story in the Louisville Courier-Journal, McWilson came to his final decision Sunday night after reviewing the pros and cons with his parents.

National signing day is Feb. 6.

McWilson, in the Courier-Journal story, said he hopes to see action with the Wildcats as a freshman.

“I sure hope so. It may sound cocky, but I think so. I know they have good players, but I’m going to be ready to compete for a spot, get the job done and get out on the field,” McWilson said. “I’d love to start as a freshman, but talent will only take you so far. You’ve got to put that work in, and I’m ready to make it happen. If you’ve got a chance, you’ve got to go get it and you can’t just let it slip away.”

McWilson, 6-foot, 195, is ranked as the nation’s No. 196 senior by Rivals.com.