Tennessee Football has fewer players from Kentucky than you would realize despite being a neighboring state.
The Vols battle with the Wildcats on Saturday in Lexington. With the upcoming matchup between the two, here is a look at some Vols who hail from Kentucky, and another with a tie to the Wildcats.
LB Kalib Perry
Tennessee linebacker Kalib Perry hails from Great Crossing High School in Georgetown, Kentucky. Out of high school, he ranked as a three-star prospect.
Perry was the No. 828 prospect nationally in the 2022 class, and the No. 77 linebacker according to 247Sports Composite. He was also the No. 6 prospect from Kentucky. Perry held an offer from the Wildcats, but he chose the Vols.
The 6-foot-3 and 226-pound backer has gotten more playing time in 2023 with Keenan Pili’s injury. He has seven total tackles this season.
CB Cristian Conyer
Part of a deep class of defensive backs in 2023, Cristian Conyer is from Bowling Green, Kentucky. He attended South Warren High School. He was a three-star prospect.
Conyer ranked as the No. 567 prospect nationally, and the No. 57 cornerback. He was also the No. 3 prospect from Kentucky.
Conyer chose the Vols over Kentucky, who also had a crystal ball for his talents. Conyer has seen the field in four contests, but he has yet to record any stats.
RB Khalifa Keith
Not from Kentucky, but tied to the Wildcats. Keith was committed to Kentucky before receiving an offer from Tennessee. Just a few weeks later, he decommitted from Kentucky and chose the Vols.
Keith is from Birmingham, Alabama and attended Parker High School. He ranks as the No. 613 prospect nationally and the No. 42 running back in the 2023 class.
He joined Tennessee Football in May as a summer enrollee and was expected to be a short-yardage back for the Vols. He has four carries on the season for nine yards after appearing in six games.
Keith added depth to the running back room in the 2023 class with his late commitment.
