Source: Cincinnati OC Gran is leading candidate for same job at Kentucky

Cincinnati offensive coordinator Eddie Gran has emerged as the leading candidate to become the new OC at Kentucky, a source told FOX Sports on Friday.

Long regarded as one of the country's top recruiters, Gran has done a nice job with the Bearcats' offense, which is No. 5 in the nation in total offense and No. 2 in third-down offense, despite having had to rely on its backup QB for a big chunk of time.

Gran and UK head coach Mark Stoops worked together when both were assistants at Florida State. The 50-year-old Gran also is very familiar with the SEC, having coached at Auburn and Tennessee previously.

Earlier this week, the Wildcats' OC job came open after Kentucky's Shannon Dawson exited amid philosophical differences with Stoops.