It is official Kentucky fans, Dane Key has joined the Corn Huskers

Dane Key, a Lexington native and a lifelong Wildcat fan, has officially left Kentucky football behind, opting to transfer to the Nebraska Corn Huskers today. Key’s departure is yet another gut punch for a Kentucky program that just endured a brutal 4-8 season, missing a bowl game and watching its roster take major hits in the transfer portal.

Key was more than just a player for the Wildcats—he was a legacy recruit and the embodiment of the program's homegrown talent. A four-star recruit and the top player in Kentucky coming out of high school, Key dreamed of representing the Big Blue Nation. Over his three years in Lexington, he showed flashes of brilliance, amassing 715 receiving yards on 47 catches during his final season. However, the team’s lack of success and offensive stagnation pushed him to seek greener pastures—literally. He went from 6 touchdowns to 6 touchdown to just 2 this past year.

The decision wasn’t without competition. Key entered the portal as one of the most sought-after receivers available, drawing significant interest from programs like Illinois, Nebraska, and Georgia. Ultimately, the featured receiver role and a program on the rise in Nebraska was too strong to pass up.

Nebraska, on the other hand, offers Key everything Kentucky couldn’t: stability, great coaching, and a program on the rise. After a dismal 2024 season, the Wildcats are left with a gaping hole at receiver, further exposing a program that has struggled to retain its top players.

For Kentucky fans, it’s a bitter pill to swallow for sure. Watching a hometown hero leave no matter where he goes underscores the concern many have about the program. Mark Stoops and his staff now face an uphill battle to win back fan support, even with a strong incoming class of their own right now. The success will be in the winning.

Dane Key’s exit is a stark reminder that Kentucky football is declining and Stoops is running out of time to get it going.