DJ Hunter decommits from Kentucky

Lexington, Ky. — Kentucky’s 2027 quarterback plan is back to square one after Buford (Ga.) signal-caller DJ Hunter announced Sunday that he has reopened his recruitment, ending a commitment that began in April 2025.

Hunter, originally a Knoxville product, pledged to the Wildcats during Mark Stoops’ tenure but never took the field as a junior after tearing his ACL last fall. With Will Stein now directing the offense and a revamped staff in place, Hunter said the timing felt right to reassess.

“After consideration, my family and I felt it was in my best interest to go ahead and decommit and fully open my recruitment back up,” Hunter told Rivals. “It’s been in the back of my mind ever since the head-coaching change went down. After this weekend it just felt like the right time to do it.”

The decommitment underscores the roster churn that accompanies any high-level coaching transition, even as Stein and his assistants build early momentum on the trail. Kentucky already has feelers out to a trio of elite 2027 quarterbacks—Elijah Haven, Andre Adams, and Israel Abrams—each of whom is slated to visit Lexington unofficially this spring. Abrams has locked in an official visit for the summer, keeping the staff optimistic about landing a blue-chip passer in the cycle.

Staff changes or not, Stein’s priority remains clear: secure a franchise-type quarterback capable of elevating Kentucky’s offense to the next tier. The pursuit starts anew with Hunter off the board, but the Cats believe viable, high-end options are still within reach.