Austin MacGinnis commits to Kentucky

The Kentucky Wildcats received their fifth commitment of the 2013 recruiting class in Alabama kicker Austin MacGinnis, who camped at Kentucky twice this month. He even nailed two 60 yard field goals with UK head coach Joker Phillips watching the talented kicker hit them.

Nov 26, 2011; Lexington, KY, USA; Kentucky Wildcats head coach Joker Phillips during the game against the Tennessee Volunteers at Commonwealth Stadium. Kentucky defeated Tennessee 10-7. Mandatory Credit: Mark Zerof-US PRESSWIRE

Austin MacGinnis did not receive any other offers in his recruitment, as only Kentucky extended him one. However, he did receive interest from a few major programs in Georgia Tech, the big boys in LSU, and in-state rivals Louisville.

The Prattville High recruit (in Prattville, Alabama) is also known for his punting ability, and MacGinnis is one of the most talented kickers in the 2013 class. He isn’t as good as Matt Wogan from North Carolina, but the K/P from Alabama is certainly a good kicker in his own right; he nailed two big FGs in front of Phillips.

The 5’11″, 175 pound kicker isn’t their most recent commitment, as Kentucky also nabbed one from a three-star offensive lineman for their second commit of the day and the sixth in the 2013 class.

Right now, Austin MacGinnis is easily one of the best ten special teamers (K/P) in the 2010 class and is definitely closer to five than ten (I have him sixth). He has a high amount of power and is highly regarded for his ability to get touchbacks. There is no doubt that MacGinnis is a D-I prospect, and he is a big pickup at the position for the Wildcats.

Some fans are unhappy that the team used a scholarship on a specialist after giving one to another heralded specialist in Landon Foster, but Foster is a punter and MacGinnis definitely fits the kicker mold better.

The great thing is that Austin MacGinnis will likely get to adjust to kicking at the collegiate level and refine things without pressure, because Kentucky will almost certainly redshirt MacGinnis with Joe Mansour locked in as the current kicker. Kentucky gives quite a bit of scholarships to kickers and it’s frustrating for fans, but adding MacGinnis was a solid move; he’s easily one of the top five true kickers in this 2013 class.