Kentucky, Louisville have attention of Florida-based defensive end

Jabreel Stephens will begin his senior season with a short list of favorite schools. He knows more offers may arrive and things could very well change this fall. After all, the three-star defensive end won’t hurt for exposure at his new high school. Seffner (Fla.) Armwood High is a state powerhouse.

Still, as things stand now, Stephens has a solid list of frontrunners in place.

“I dropped my top 7 not too long ago,” Stephens said. “It’s UCF, USF, Maryland, Arizona, Kentucky, Louisville … Oh, and Cal.”

But even within the confines of that list exists a divide. Summer visits to Louisville and Kentucky seem to have made an impact on Stephens, who apparently liked what he saw on both campuses.

“After I visited them, I [made them] my top two schools,” Stephens said. “I like them the best right now. I like everything about the. I like the schools and the weather. It’s not always so hot out there. I just like the environment and how hard they come at me.”

Stephens transferred to Armwood from Tampa Jefferson High School. He holds more than 15 total scholarship offers.

IN HIS WORDS: “I’m going to wait. I’m waiting for offers and to just see how these schools are with me. I’ll probably try to wait for Signing Day.”

RIVALS REACTION: Kentucky and Louisville may lead Stephens’ recruitment for now, but that due in part to the fact that he hasn’t take a slew of campus visits. Once Stephens begins to travel this call, other programs could shoot up his list. Projecting where he may land at this juncture is difficult.