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Connecticut offensive lineman Jadon Lafontant had an immediate connection with UK offensive line coach Zach Yenser the first time he met him at a high school football showcase.

“We started talking about food and I knew immediately that was my guy,” the 6-3, 315-pound Lafontant said after making his verbal commitment to Kentucky. “That was something different coming from a coach and let me know I could go to him any time I wanted to talk about anything.”

He also connected quickly with UK offensive coordinator Liam Coen and receivers coach Scott Woodward, who both have northeast roots and played football together at the University of Massachusetts.

His numerous scholarship offers included Vanderbilt and Dartmouth.

“Academics are a big part of my life. That’s just me,” Lafontant said. “My parents always told me if I wanted to play football in college and the NFL I had to get my academics first. The NFL has always been the dream. I didn’t want to go to school anywhere that my parents did not like and Kentucky is right because I can focus on football and academics. My mom could see that immediately.”

Lafontant transferred to Brunswick School last season and did not wrestle as he did at his previous school when he reached the state tournament.

“I am old school. I did wrestling, made state and was just a big dude handling people,” Lafontant said. “Wrestling definitely helped me physically and mentally with my discipline. It’s also even harder than football. Practices are really hard.”

He also played high school basketball as a freshman.

“I could knock people around but basketball really was not my sport,” he said.