WEST CHESTER TOWNSHIP, Ohio -- Lakota West senior middle linebacker Xavier Peters announced Tuesday night he has made a verbal commitment to the University of Kentucky.
Lakota West football coach Larry Cox confirmed the news to WCPO.com Wednesday morning.
Peters, one of Ohio’s top recruits in the 2018 class, is rated the No. 8 outside linebacker nationally by 247Sports.
Peters had several significant scholarship offers including Alabama, Florida, UC, Penn State, Louisville, Georgia, LSU, Oklahoma, Oregon, Texas, UCLA, South Carolina, West Virginia, University of Southern California, Wisconsin and several others.
Peters will join a Lakota West teammate, senior defensive lineman Tyler Bentley, in the Wildcats’ 2018 class.
Peters spoke with Kentucky head coach Mark Stoops in making the pledge on Tuesday. The early signing period for football is Dec. 20-22.
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Peters, who is 6-feet-4 and 225 pounds, participated in the prestigious Nike event “The Opening” in Oregon this past week.
Last week, he committed to the Under Armour All-America Game; Peters is the third Lakota West player in program history to commit to the game (Ryan Kelly in 2011 and Jordan Hicks in 2010).
Peters is the second area player in the 2018 class to commit to one of the two most nationally renowned high school football all-star games.
Fairfield senior offensive lineman Jack Carman, one of the nation's top recruits in the 2018 class, committed to the 2018 U.S. Army All-American Bowl in October 2016. However, Fairfield coach Jason Krause told WCPO.com this week Carman is re-evaluating his options for his all-star game opportunities.
Lakota West (2-8 in 2016) opens the season Friday, Aug. 25 against Elder (6-5) in the 20th annual Skyline Chili Crosstown Showdown. Kickoff is 6 p.m. at Nippert Stadium.
Official Ohio High School Athletic Association practice begins for all teams July 31.
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