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Boom or bust? Grading Kentucky’s 2024 transfer portal additions a year later

Kentucky boasted about adding some high level transfer additions last year, how did they each pan out?

ByMark Knight|
Oct 19, 2024; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Kentucky Wildcats running back Chip Trayanum (4) rushes with the ball while being tackled by Florida Gators defensive end Jack Pyburn (44) during the second half at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
Oct 19, 2024; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Kentucky Wildcats running back Chip Trayanum (4) rushes with the ball while being tackled by Florida Gators defensive end Jack Pyburn (44) during the second half at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images | Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
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Alex McLaughlin - Long Snapper

Another special teamer who came in and gave a big boost to that side of the football game. He was part of the reason that Alex Raynor had such a run of success in kicking this year. It's tough to get off a clean kick without a good long-snapper.

Transfer grade: Boom

DJ Waller Jr. - Defensive Back

Waller was one of the prized recruits to come out of the 2024 transfer portal class. He came as an up-and-coming freshman defensive back out of Michigan. He did elevate his game slightly by coming to Kentucky, but he wasn't much more than a solid contributor. He had 13 total tackles (up two from his time at Michigan) and two passes defensed (up one from Michigan). He wasn't really a bust, but he wasn't a boom.

Transfer grade: Contributor

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