A Memorable Junior Day Experience at Kentucky

Reed Gerken, a 6’4, 290-pound interior offensive lineman from Perrysburg, Ohio, recently had an unforgettable junior day experience at the University of Kentucky. The event brought together nearly a dozen offensive linemen, but Gerken left with a sense of excitement and appreciation for how he was treated by the coaching staff.

Gerken shared his thoughts with KSR+ after returning home to Ohio, describing the day as “unbelievable.” He emphasized that the time spent with the coaches was especially meaningful. “I got the chance to talk to Coach (Will) Stein for quite a bit, probably a good 20 minutes,” he said. “That meant a lot because there were a lot of dudes he could have talked to.”

Meeting the New Coaching Staff

The new offensive line coach, Coach Cutter, and the run game coordinator, Derek Warehime, made a strong impression on Gerken. “They treated me like they had known me for years and this was the first time we had ever met in person,” he noted. “That just meant so much to me.”

Gerken also praised the new offensive coordinator, Joe Sloan, who previously coached at LSU. During lunch and dinner, Sloan spent an hour and a half talking with Gerken and his family, sharing stories about his time at LSU and working with Jayden Daniels. “It was crazy how quick an hour and a half flew by,” Gerken said.

Personal Touches from Coaches

One of the most significant aspects of Gerken’s visit was the personal attention from the coaching staff. “A lot of times on visits you talk to coaches for 10 or 15 minutes if you’re lucky,” he explained. “Here, they were all in with me. They constantly reminded me, ‘Hey, we want you here.’”

Coach Leftwich, who is young but brings a wealth of knowledge, also stood out to Gerken. “He was cracking jokes all day and I don’t think him being young affects the way I view him as a coach,” Gerken said. “I think he’s going to bring a lot of knowledge of the game and the offensive line.”

Honest Feedback from Coach Stein

Gerken’s meeting with Coach Stein was particularly impactful. In Stein’s office, they discussed Gerken’s strengths and areas for improvement. “He talked about what he likes about me and he also kept it real with me and said some things I could improve upon,” Gerken shared. “He really likes how violent I play and how I like to finish all my blocks.”

Stein also mentioned that Gerken could benefit from playing with a lower pad level. “I thought that was good to hear so you know they aren’t just telling you what you want to hear,” Gerken said.

Future Visits and Recruitment

Gerken has several other schools on his radar. He will be visiting Michigan State on January 23, followed by trips to Tennessee, Indiana, and Wisconsin. His official visits are expected to take place during the spring or summer when school is not in session.

Kentucky, Louisville, North Carolina, Pitt, Virginia, NC State, West Virginia, and Cincinnati have all offered Gerken. He is currently ranked as a three-star prospect (88) on Rivals and is the No. 32 iOL in the 2027 class.

Final Thoughts

Gerken expressed his trust in the Kentucky coaching staff and their potential to elevate the program. “They’re going to do great things at Kentucky and they’re only going to take Kentucky to the next level,” he said. “They’ll start right where they left off with Stoops and take it to the next level.”

Overall, Gerken’s junior day experience at Kentucky was a positive one, and he is already planning to return for an official visit. His family also enjoyed the trip and is supportive of his decision to consider Kentucky as a future destination.