By Nick Gray | @KYKernelGray

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UK head coach Mark Stoops and his staff filled their schedule this week with in-home visits with targets and their families. But, the most important events in the week for Stoops and company were four de-commitments, including a high profile in-state recruit who was slated to go across the country.

Four star defensive end Jason Hatcher (6-2, 240, Louisville, Ky., Trinity HS) announced on Twitter his de-commitment from Southern California, after being committed to the Trojans since July.

Hatcher visited UK Jan. 12, then made the cross country trip to visit USC in Los Angeles on Jan. 18. Hatcher plans to visit Louisville Feb. 2 before National Signing Day.

Three recruits who committed to Joker Phillips’ staff last year decided to open up their recruitments Wednesday.

Three-star wide receiver DeAngelo Yancey (6-2, 200, Atlanta, Ga., Mays HS), three-star athlete/tight end Darren Dowdell (6-4, 224, Atlanta, Ga., Grady HS) and three-star offensive tackle Ander Bodkin (6-5, 276, Marianna, Fla., Marianna HS) all de-committed from the class of 2013, opening up three scholarships on the prospective roster for the coaching staff to use.

Several recruits will visit UK this weekend in the last big official visit weekend for the coaching staff.

Four-star safety Marcus McWilson (6-0, 195, Youngstown, Oh., Cardinal Mooney HS), a Nebraska commitment, will visit, along with four-star junior college defensive tackle Jarran Reed (6-4, 302, Chatham, Va., East Mississippi C.C.), who is committed to Ole Miss.

Four-star inside linebacker and Florida commit James Hearn (6-3, 235, Tallahassee, Fla., Lincoln HS) will join the group visiting in Lexington.

Four-star athlete Marquez White (6-1, 175, Dothan, Ala., Northview HS), a Florida State commit who will likely play in the defensive secondary in college, will also visit Lexington.

Three-star outside linebacker Keith Kelsey (6-2, 216, Gainesville, Fla., Gainesville HS), three star defensive end Corey Smith (6-7, 245, New Orleans, La., O Perry Walker HS) and three star offensive guard Nick Haynes (6-4, 285, Niceville, Fla., Niceville HS) will all travel to Lexington for official visits.

Kelsey has visited Louisville and South Florida this month, while Smith has visited Tulane and Arizona State and is scheduled to visit Louisville on Feb. 2.

Three star athlete Ryan Timmons (5-11, 180, Frankfort, Ky., Franklin County HS) will announce his decision on Feb. 5 at 1 p.m., the day prior to National Signing Day. Timmons was treated to an in-home visit from Ohio State offensive coordinator Tom Herman Tuesday and was offered a scholarship.

Timmons plans to visit Florida Feb. 2, who offered him Sunday. Former UK head coach and Florida wide receivers coach Joker Phillips has been recruiting Timmons for the Gators.