Kentucky Wildcats Football: UK the New Transfer U?

September 15, 2012; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Panthers running back Rushel Shell (4) carries the ball against the Virginia Tech Hokies during the fourth quarter at Heinz Field. The Pittsburgh Panthers won 35-17. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

There is a ton of talk right now about Kentucky’s highly-ranked 2014 recruiting class, both in the Bluegrass and nationwide. The media is taking notice, as are opposing coaches

who are seemingly perturbed by losing a player that they want to ….Kentucky? Michigan State’s Mark Dantonio being the most recent to take a shot at the Cats.

But what few people are talking about is Kentucky’s new interest and success in the transfer game. The team has already landed former Nebraska RB Braylon Heard and former twin Pitt athletes Chris and Demitrious Davis. Heard was a 4* and the #5 RB in the country coming out of high school. He averaged 6.7 yards per carry in Lincoln but couldn’t take the starting spot. Heard will be a redshirt junior when he is eligible in 2014. The Davis twins were both 3* athletes coming out of high school with offers from Oregon, West Virginia and Iowa among others. They both were wide receivers at Pitt but things will be different in Lexington. Demitrious will play a combination of slot receiver and running back, while Chris is expected to play cornerback. The twins will be redshirt sophomores in 2014 when they can hit the field.

*An interesting side note is that the twins were first pointed to the Wildcats by former Ohio State Buckeye Maurice Clarrett per Larry Vaught.

Now this week several outlets reported that former Ohio State 5* DL Se’von Pittman had Kentucky in his final three before choosing to stay close to home and attend Akron. That would have been a huge addition, but you can’t blame a kid for staying home and we don’t know why Pittman left Columbus anyhow.

Perhaps even more intriguing is the recent reports that former Pitt 5* RB Rushel Shell is no longer transferring to UCLA and will now decide between West Virginia and Kentucky. He was initially considering Ohio State as well but seems to have eliminated the Buckeyes. Shell is a bigger back who wouldn’t effect Heard or Boom Williams but could play the same role as Mikel Horton. I have heard some conflicting reports about Shell’s situation. Some say Kentucky would welcome him, because you can’t have enough top talent. On the other hand I’ve heard Kentucky doesn’t really have a scholarship for him at this point and they don’t want other schools getting in Horton’s ear about either. Shell will supposedly visit Kentucky soon, so we will just have to see how it plays out.

So what does all of this mean? Simple, Kentucky is a hot name in college football right now with Mark Stoops and staff. Don’t be surprised to see a few other transfers linked to the Wildcats once Fall camp starts and players start transferring again. They may even accept one or two.  To be honest, I don’t expect Shell to be a Wildcat but at this point I wouldn’t be surprised if he did come to Lexington. It’s all just another sign that this is a new day for Kentucky football. Sit back and enjoy the ride.