If you can't beat them, join them as former Kentucky football star visits SEC rival Georgia

For years, Kentucky football has struggled to climb out of Georgia’s shadow in the SEC. Despite a few close games, Mark Stoops and his Wildcats have never been able to topple the Bulldogs when it mattered most. Now, Kentucky faces another gut punch as Dane Key, one of its brightest homegrown stars, is reportedly visiting Georgia as he navigates the transfer portal.

Key’s journey to Kentucky was the stuff of dreams. Raised a Wildcats fan, he grew up envisioning himself playing under the lights at Kroger Field just as he dad did. He made that dream a reality, committing to Kentucky and quickly emerging as a standout wide receiver. Over three seasons, Key hauled in 126 receptions for 1,870 yards and 14 touchdowns. His knack for making big plays, including a career-long 58-yard catch, made him a fan favorite.

But now, as he considers a move to Georgia for his senior season, it feels like a slap in the face to Kentucky football. The Bulldogs represent the very program Kentucky has failed to overcome during Stoops' tenure. Georgia has repeatedly dashed the Wildcats’ hopes of ascending to the top tier of the SEC, and now they might take one of their most talented players as well.

It’s hard to ignore the optics. Key, who grew up bleeding blue, potentially wearing red and black for his final college season, underscores the frustration many fans feel with the program. For all of Stoops' success in elevating Kentucky to bowl contention and respectability in certain areas, the Wildcats have yet to crack the SEC elite or really even the mid-tier consistently. Losing a marquee player like Key to an SEC rival only amplifies the narrative that Kentucky can’t keep up or develop NFL skill players.

If Key does end up at Georgia, it will be a bitter pill for Kentucky fans to swallow. It’s not just about losing a great player; it’s about losing a symbol of what the program could have been. And for Stoops, it’s another reminder that the gap between Kentucky and the SEC’s top dogs remains as wide as ever. Can't beat mad at Key though, he gave his all to Kentucky and wants to go to the NFL. At UGA that is much more likely than a Kentucky team struggling offensively.

Remember, nobody panic though, that comes straight from Mark Stoops.