Kentucky WR bounces back
Curtis Hamilton was a name on all the preseason watch lists for the Bluegrass State before a foot injury sustained while playing pickup basketball sidetracked his senior year.
After catching 61 passes for 1,038 yards and 10 touchdowns as a junior, the Paducah Tilghman star missed the first six games of the season, but has bounced back strong for the state’s top-ranked team in Class 3A.
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“I’m getting a little bit better, a little bit stronger, every week,” Hamilton said. “The first two or three games, I had a hard time getting back in sync with the offense. But the last four, I’ve had about 300 yards and seven touchdowns.”
Hamilton (6-1, 170, 4.45) has scholarship offers from Vanderbilt, Eastern Kentucky and Western Kentucky. He’s also receiving interest from Arkansas, Kentucky, Virginia, Purdue and Southeast Missouri.
“I just got back from Arkansas this weekend,” he said. “I went there for an unofficial visit to see the Mississippi State game and take them some more film. I had a good time. The game was a blowout, but I like going there. I was there in the summer for a camp.”
Hamilton said Purdue has also requested new film, and that Kentucky continues to stay in contact.
“Joker Phillips calls me a lot,” he said of the Wildcats’ recruiting coordinator. “I like him a lot, and he says they’re still interested in me. He told me he wants to see me in the state championship game, to see how I’m moving and back to full strength.
“I like Kentucky. Me and (UK verbal) Joe (Casey) would like to go to school together. I’m hoping they offer me.”
Tilghman (13-0) plays four-time defending state champion Boyle County on Friday in the state semifinals at Paducah.
Hamilton maintains a 3.0 GPA and has scored a 19 on the ACT. He said he will take the test again in hopes of reaching at least 20, which he needs to meet Vanderbilt’s standard.