NEWS FLASH: 4-star running back has decommitted from Kentucky, per ESPN this evening, because of...

4-star RB Isaiah West decommits Kentucky

Philadelphia (Pa.) St. Joseph’s Prep running back Isaiah West (5-foot-11, 208) has decommitted from Kentucky, according to Ohio State 247Sports’ Bill Kurelic. He had been committed to the Wildcats since March 1.

West is rated a 90 on a scale to 100 by 247Sports, which equates to the nation’s No. 11 running back and the No. 204 prospect overall. He is scheduled to take his official visit June 7. An official visit to Columbus will occur the following weekend

West is the first decommitment in Kentucky’s 2025 recruiting class. He is the teammate of 2024 wide receiver signee David Washington Jr.

Isaiah West decommits from Kentucky Football and trends toward Ohio State Buckeyes - A Sea Of Blue

Mark Pope opens up on starting from scratch at Kentucky, open roster spots, one-and-done talent, John Calipari

The new Wildcats coach went in-depth on the state of Kentucky basketball.

It’s been a month since Mark Pope landed in Lexington. The new Kentucky coach dramatically overhauled the Wildcats’ roster over the last four weeks, landing seven transfers and signing small forward Trent Noah to a recruiting class featuring four-star guard Travis Perry. Pope addressed Kentucky’s current roster and his plans with the Wildcats’ remaining scholarships during an interview with CBS Sports’ Jon Rothstein.

“It was terrifying, but it actually turned out to be a real blessing that we got to start from scratch here,” Pope said. “We got to hand-pick guys that fit perfectly into the way that we play. I feel great about our roster right now. We have a couple of really, really important pieces that we still have to fit in. We’re at ten scholarships right now. I have two really, really important pieces that I have to add.”

Isaiah West decommits from Kentucky Football and trends toward Ohio State Buckeyes - A Sea Of Blue

Pope went further in-depth on Kentucky’s roster during the interview and addressed his relationship with former head coach John Calipari and scheduling a home-and-home series with St. John’s to get Rick Pitino back in Rupp Arena, among other things.

ON THE KENTUCKY STANDARD

Isaiah West decommits from Kentucky Football and trends toward Ohio State Buckeyes - A Sea Of Blue

“This is basketball heaven. It’s almost unthinkable that you get an opportunity to come here to the University of Kentucky and take a swing at it. It’s exhausting, draining, exhilarating and overwhelming. The list is endless. It’s also like family, home and love. We did the introductory press conference at Rupp Arena, and 22,000 people showed up. This is this state’s team. It’s everything. The standard is impossible. You have to win a championship every year, and nothing else is acceptable. All of that makes it a beautiful job.”