Kentucky offered a scholarship to seventh-grader Jairus Brents on Thursday after the 13-year-old participated in a football camp at the university this past weekend.
While the offer might cause shockwaves across the college football and recruiting platforms, it is not much reason for celebration for Brents, a Class of 2018 cornerback from New Albany (Ind.) Hazelwood Middle School.
"It's not a big deal. It's just an offer," Brents said.
"It's a good accomplishment, but I'm focusing on being the best cornerback ever and working hard."
Colleges cannot make handwritten offers to prospective recruits until their senior year of high school, although there is no NCAA rule against verbal offers. Colleges cannot publicly discuss specific recruits until they sign a letter of intent, which Brents will not be able to do until 2018.
Brents and Kentucky cornerbacks coach Derrick Ansley spoke Thursday morning when the two were connected through Brents' godfather, Chris Vaughn.
"He said they watched the film [of the camp] and said I was working really hard and that I stood out, and then he offered me [a scholarship]," Brents said.
Vaughn lives in Louisville after playing at both Louisville and Notre Dame, which was followed by a short stint with the NFL's New Orleans Saints. Vaughn is the founder of a training facility in Louisville and works with Brents as well as some of the area's top prospects.
Brents is already light-years ahead of Class of 2013 prospects James Quick and Jason Hatcher, Vaughn said. Brents and Quick have competed head-to-head several times during workouts.
"It's not even close. [Brents] is a different breed of kid. He's super competitive," Vaughn said. "He expects to win every route. He's one of those kids who lights up the competition. Jairus is the best skill kid in the state right now."
The 5-foot-8, 152-pound Brents was put into a group with all Class of 2014 receivers at the Kentucky camp. Brents intercepted three passes and broke up several others. He will also attend camp at Louisville, Vanderbilt and Western Kentucky this summer.
Vaughn said Brents' performance at the Kentucky camp is not the only reason he is deserving of recognition from colleges. Vaughn said Brents has a 3.7 GPA and is a leader in his community and household.
Brents is not the first seventh-grade football player to land a scholarship offer. USC offered David Sills in 2010 when he was in seventh grade, and he accepted the scholarship. He is planning to sign with USC in 2015.