Kentucky football added another valuable piece to its 2025 recruiting class with the commitment of four-star safety Messiah Tilson, a standout prospect from Illinois who held numerous Big Ten offers.
The 6-foot-2, 165-pound defensive back from Chicago announced his commitment to the Wildcats over the weekend. Ranked among the top 500 recruits nationally, the No. 40 safety in the class, and the No. 11 player in Illinois (according to 247Sports), Tilson’s pledge represents a notable recruiting win for Mark Stoops and his staff—especially amidst recent coaching changes.
Despite receiving significant interest from schools like Missouri, Iowa, Wisconsin, Indiana, Illinois, Cincinnati, Vanderbilt, Kansas, and Rutgers, most analysts expected Tilson to remain in the Midwest and sign with Rutgers. However, Kentucky’s persistence — especially from veteran assistant Frank Buffano — proved decisive.
Buffano’s recruiting work was particularly impressive given the recent departure of longtime recruiter Vince Marrow to Louisville, a move some feared would hinder Kentucky’s Midwest recruiting. Tilson, however, brushed aside any concerns, stating last week that Marrow’s exit was irrelevant to him — he wasn’t even familiar with who Marrow was.
Tilson brings strong physical attributes and instincts to Kentucky’s secondary. With his length, versatility, and coverage skills, he’s seen as a potential early contributor, fitting well into the Wildcats’ growing emphasis on speed, flexibility, and athleticism in the defensive backfield.
Tilson is the latest commitment in a 2025 class that’s quietly gaining steam. While Kentucky may not be making major recruiting headlines just yet, landing players like Tilson shows the program remains competitive for top-tier talent — even without its former lead recruiter.
As Buffano and the coaching staff continue to rebuild their recruiting influence in talent-rich states like Illinois and Ohio, Tilson’s decision could mark the beginning of a strong recruiting stretch for the Wildcats.
