4-star Cincinnati TE commit Mikkel Skinner flips his commitment to Mark Stoops' Kentucky 

By Aman Sharma

Modified Oct 27, 2024 14:59 GMT

Riverside High School (South Carolina) tight end Mikkel Skinner has flipped his commitment from Cincinnati to Kentucky. The four-star prospect, per 247 Sports, decommitted from Cincinnati on Sept. 13 and pledged his allegiance to Kentucky on Wednesday.

He expressed excitement about the opportunity to make an early impact on the field.

“Me playing early and making an impact early as a freshman,” Skinner said, via On3. “I’m going to see them boys next year week 2. But overall nobody is messing with Kentucky and they are building something special, literally.”

Kentucky tight ends coach and recruiting coordinator Vince Marrow led the efforts to secure Skinner's commitment.

Mikkel Skinner's recruiting journey saw him visit top programs, including South Carolina, Clemson and Kentucky, with the Wildcats making a lasting impression on him during home games against South Carolina and Vanderbilt.

His versatility and potential were on full display in his junior year, where he recorded 44 passes for 651 yards and 10 touchdowns. He also showcased his athleticism by rushing 68 times for 588 yards and five touchdowns.

247 Sports recruiting analyst Andrew Ivins gave Skinner a rating of 92 out of 100, and ranked him as the No. 11 tight end and No. 182 overall prospect for the Class of 2025. Ivins also commended Skinner’s potential.

"New-age F tight end prospect [Skinner], who can line up in the slot, in the backfield, or out wide and stretch the field with his second gear," Ivins wrote. "Clocked one of the fastest verified 40-yard dash times for any prospect north of 220 pounds in the 2025 cycle spring before senior season and owns a promising multi-sport background for the position. Displays the ability to change speeds as a route runner and has flashed a larger catch radius."

Skinner’s commitment is a major boost to Kentucky’s 2025 recruiting class, which now ranks 20th, per 247Sports.

Four-star TE Mikkel Skinner chooses Kentucky over Cincinnati and other major programs

After committing to Cincinnati in June, Skinner revealed his decision to join Kentucky via Instagram Live.

“It’s a hard decision for me and my family,” Skinner said on Wednesday. “But for the next three or four years, I’m taking my talents to the University of Kentucky.”

Mikkel Skinner received offers from 14 top programs, including Ohio State, South Carolina and West Virginia. He chose Kentucky over his other shortlisted schools: Ohio State, Georgia and South Carolina.

According to the On3 Industry Rankings, Mikkel Skinner is a three-star prospect who is ranked No. 403 nationally, No. 23 among tight ends and the No. 10 prospect in South Carolina. He is Kentucky’s 21st recruit in their 2025 class.