-Joker on losing Lamar Dawson and Jon Davis: “Look at these guys here. We’re not worried about guys we didn’t get. Only guys we’re worried about are guys who want to be here.”

-Joker’s message to fans who may be discouraged: “Don’t be. Trust us. We’ve put together classes you guys have been excited about. You ought to be more excited about this class than any we’ve brought in.”

Joker on whether the extensive Internet/media coverage of recruiting has made it tougher: “It’s going to be tough whether that was going on or not. It’s made it entertaining for us. It’s made it tougher to swallow sometimes.”

-Phillips received signings late this afternoon from WR’s Bubba Tandy and Daryl Collins. Collins had previously committed to Alabama.

-Phillips said staff filled needs at wide receiver and running back.

“The thing we want is guys who are willing to compete,” referring to running back signees Josh Clemons and Marcus Caffey.

-When asked about four-safety Glenn Faulkner, Phillips said, “This is the most explosive group we’ve signed here (at Kentucky).”

-On overall 2010 class: “The majority of our guys got BCS offers.”

-Joker on late signee Daryl Collins, who originally committed to Alabama:

“Explosive athlete, played some WR and QB, could see him in the Wildcat package.”

The University of Kentucky has received its first commitment for its 2010 recruiting class. According to the Cats’ Pause’s Jeff Drummond, Justin Henderson, a 6-4, 228-pound defensive end from Bamberg (S.C)., committed to Kentucky after visiting the campus this weekend. Henderson received offers from schools such as Duke, Colorado, Michigan State, Northwestern, Penn State, Syracuse, Texas A&M and Vanderbilt.

According to Rivals.com, Tate Nichols, a 6-foot-7 tight end from Ryle, has committed to Stanford. Nichols is one of the top prospects in the state of Kentucky and chose Stanford over offers from Kentucky, Louisville, Cincinnati and Indiana

The University of Kentucky offered a scholarship to Cincinnati Wyoming junior defensive lineman Jibreel Black (6-2, 260) on Tuesday, Wyoming coach Bernie Barre told the Cincinnati Enquirer.

The 6-foot-2, 260-pound Black also has offers from the University of Cincinnati, Indiana, Ohio University and West Virginia.

Barre is a former coach at Beechwood High School and led them to a Class A state title in 1984.

The signatures have started rolling in for the University of Kentucky’s 2009 recruiting class as 25 prospects have already sent in their national letters-of-intent. Included among those signees are quarterbacks Morgan Newton and Ryan Mossakowski, junior-college receiver Chris Matthews, linebacker Qua Huzzie and tight end Terrell Mitchell.

Louisville Central products Ridge Wilson and Mister Cobble also signed and will have a ceremony at the school on Wednesday afternoon.

There have been no major surprises thus far, but the Anniston (Ala.) Star is reporting that the Wildcats will sign Jonathan George, a 5-foot-10, 180-pound tailback from Lincoln, Ala. George was named Alabama Class 4-A All-State his senior season.

UK’s other tailback target, Atlanta’s Demond Dennis, signed with New Mexico. The Wildcats had also been involved with Dennis’ high school teammate, Darren Myles, one of the nation’s top safeties. But Myles signed with Tennessee. Another UK target, Male defensive back Justin Green, reneged from his Ohio State commitment to sign with Illinois.

There’s still no word yet on junior-college defensive end DeQuin Evans, who’s expected to decide between Louisville and Kentucky sometime on Wednesday.

Please check out John Clay’s live blog on Kentucky.com for more signing day information.

Please check in with my blog on Wednesday along with John Clay’s live interactive Sidelines blog for all the latest news and updates from 2009 signing day.

We’ll also have coverage from UK Coach Rich Brooks’ press conference to discuss his 2009 recruiting class on Kentuckysports.com

The University of Kentucky has added another running back to its 2009 recruiting class. Josh  Morgan, a 5-foot-10, 210-pounder from Pasadena (Calif.) Community College, has committed to the Wildcats and will sign a letter-of-intent on Wednesday.

Morgan ran for over 1,000 yards as a sophomore at Pasadena, picked UK over Washington State, Arizona State, and Oregon State.  UK assistant head coach/special teams Coach Steve Ortmayer’s son, Beau, is the special teams coordinator for Pasadena. Morgan played safety as a freshman.

Morgan is the third running back commitment for Kentucky, joining Indianapolis prospect Dakotah Tyler and Florida’s Donald Russell.

The University of Kentucky picked up commitments from two Memphis area prep prospects this week. Defensive back Martavious Neloms committed to the UK staff on Sunday, followed by Patrick Ligon, a defensive end from Memphis Christian Brothers, on Monday.

Neloms is a 6-foot-2, 180-pounder who is not currently ranked by any of the recruiting services. The 6-foot-5, 255-pound Ligons is a two-star prospect by Rivals.com and had previously committed to Memphis.

UK now has 25 commitments. National signing day is Feb. 4.

The University of Kentucky picked up a verbal commitment from Palm Beach (Fla.) running back Donald Russell, according to the Palm Peach Post. Russell selected UK over Southern Miss. Russell, a three-star recruit by Rivals.com, was visited on Thursday by UK defensive line coach Rick Petri, who recruits the Florida area. Russell took an official visit to UK last weekend and received scholarship offers from Rutgers, South Florida and Southern Miss.

Russell’s commitment helps offset the loss of St. Xavier running back Deuce Finch, who committed to Boston College on Thursday night.

Check back with Kentucky.com later in the day for further updates

St. Xavier running back and Kentucky Mr. Football Deuce Finch has committed to Boston College, Rivals.com reported Thursday evening. Finch selected the Eagles over the University of Kentucky.