Will Stein doesn’t have to guess on this portal receiver because he coached him

When you bring in an offensive head coach with a top-tier résumé from a big time school like Oregon, the next logical question is simple: who is coming with him?

For Will Stein, at least one potential answer just joined the portal.

Oregon wide receiver Justius Lowe is officially entering the transfer portal. He is a former four-star athlete from Lake Oswego who spent the last two years learning the exact offense Stein is about to install in Lexington.

The stat line is modest for sure, 27 career catches for 259 yards. But looking at the box score misses the point. Lowe is a speed merchant with a track background who was recruited to stretch the field. More importantly, he knows the playbook and Will Stein knows him.

If Kentucky football wants instant chemistry at receiver then Justius Lowe checks the box

Stein’s offense relies on tempo, specific spacing, and quick decision-making. It is a language that can take months for a new roster to learn. Having a guy like Lowe in the receiver room acts as a cheat code.

He knows the practice habits. He knows the hand signals. He knows exactly where to be on third-and-short. He can act as a "translator" for the rest of the receiver room, showing them how to run the routes at the speed Stein demands.

We saw this work for other coaches, Transfer Portal QBs often bring a receiver with them for this exact reason. While Lowe isn't a superstar WR1 who demands 100 targets, he is a high-floor, reliable piece who can raise the floor of the entire unit immediately.

Lowe wouldn’t walk into Lexington as a savior, but as a plug-and-play receiver who speaks the scheme fluently on day one? That is incredibly valuable. If Stein wants to hit the ground running, don’t be surprised if the Oregon-to-Kentucky pipeline opens up quickly.