Kentucky tight end commit Lincoln Watkins with his parents after making his college choice. (Photo submitted)

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Four-star Michigan tight end Lincoln Watkins had over 30 scholarship offers including Florida, Oregon, Penn State, Miami and Louisville. However, the 6-foot-5, 240-pound Watkins thought it was an easy choice to commit to Kentucky despite UK’s 4-8 finish in 2024.

“I am aware they had a lot of culture issues (last season) and about one-third of the team was removed for that reason. The right culture is such a high priority to me and that feeling is shared by coaches. I knew they would do the right thing about it,” said Watkins. “You can not look at (coach Mark) Stoops and think one season is going to dictate his career.

“Looking back on all his seasons at Kentucky and knowing is the longest tenured coach in the SEC, I have confidence in him and no fear in my mind about Kentucky football. I love what he is all about. I think he’s great.”

He had 39 catches for 668 yards last season, ran 39 times for another 245 yards and scored 17 touchdowns on his 78 touches. On defense, he had 42 total tackles while playing outside linebacker.

Watkins has done more than just commit to Kentucky. He’s also been actively recruiting other players to join him at UK and has had success doing that.

Receiver Denarius Gray flipped his commitment from Auburn to Kentucky. Cincinnati quarterback Matt Ponatoski, one of the nation’s top recruits, picked UK over Alabama and Oregon. Watkins said he worked hard to help get them both to Kentucky.

“(Georgia defensive lineman) Tyreek Jemison took his official visit the same time I did and I really worked on him. (Texas defensive lineman) Ben Duncum was somebody that the coaches told me to get to work on and I did,” Watkins said. “I really like the class we already have coming in. I think it’s going to be a very special group and I have been doing what I can to use my name to help recruiting. I put it out there that I am coming and that we can have a great thing at Kentucky.”

Ponatoski, the Ohio Gatorade Player of the Year in football and baseball both last school year, is a top 20 quarterback recruit. He is also a highly ranked baseball player who could be a potential 2026 draft pick but his commitment to UK was a needed boost for Stoops’ program.

“I know for him and his family that finding a family environment was important just like it was for me,” Watkins said. “That was the biggest part of my recruiting pitch to him. I am a big relationship person and knowing that family was prioritized above everything at Kentucky was huge for me. I told him that if he would commit to Kentucky not only would it be close to home and we can do special things.”

Lexington is about 5 1/2 hours from Watkins’ hometown of Port Huron, Mich., which played a factor in Watkins’ decision. However, that was not the key factor for him.

“I had offers from some huge schools but I did not chase after that because that is not what I wanted,” Watkins said. “Big football factories did not prioritize Christian faith and relationships. For me, it just never hit home and I never felt comfortable at some of those places.

“I was determined not to let the name on the shirt dictate where I went to school. I wanted to make sure all my options had an equal opportunity to recruit me to make sure I found the best fit and for me, that’s Kentucky.”