Kentucky football loses 2 tight ends in one go, including 2nd highest ranked recruit in 2023 class

Kentucky football took yet another major hit with the departure of tight end Khamari Anderson to the transfer portal. Anderson, a 4-star recruit ranked 90 overall by 247 Sports in the 2023 class, represented one of the crown jewels of that recruiting cycle. (A complete transfer portal tracker is available here)

Now, his departure marks the sixth defection from what was supposed to be a foundational class for the program—a trend that further signals deeper issues under Mark Stoops and his staff.

Anderson, who held offers from powerhouse programs like Alabama and Auburn, was a major recruiting win for Kentucky at the time. Ironically, Eric Wolford, who now finds himself on the hot seat for his failures with the offensive line, was a key figure in Anderson’s recruitment while coaching at Alabama.

In addition TE Tanner Lemaster a 6-6, 235-pound Tight End from Washington Court House, OH entered the portal further shrinking the tight end room. Lemaster was a 3 star recruit out of high school, and a top 35 tight end is a big loss in depth.

A Lackluster Start, But Untapped Potential for Both

In two seasons with the Wildcats, Anderson’s on-field impact was limited, with just six total receptions for 40 yards. While his numbers don’t jump off the page, they don’t tell the full story. Anderson was expected to grow into a key contributor in the offense, leveraging his size, athleticism, and pedigree to stretch defenses and add versatility to Kentucky’s attack.

Lemaster for his part was a great blocking prospect who showed flashes in high school, failed to register any stats while at UK.

Their departure leaves the Wildcats scrambling to fill another hole at a skill position and even more important, looking for depth at a cruical position within the offense. For a program that has struggled to generate offensive consistency, losing a player with Anderson’s upside is a significant setback, while Lemaster's blocking will be missed.

A Pattern of Failure

Anderson’s exit continues a troubling trend for Kentucky football: an inability to retain top talent. The 2023 recruiting class, once heralded as a turning point for the program, is rapidly unraveling. With Anderson now the sixth player to leave from that group, it raises serious questions about the culture and direction of the program, could it be that he was one that Stoops said had to leave?

Is it a failure of development? A lack of opportunity? A leadership problem? Whatever the answer, Kentucky’s struggles to keep elite recruits like Anderson in the fold paint a picture of dysfunction and stagnation.

Another Black Eye for Stoops and Wolford

This is yet another embarrassment for a program that can’t afford more negative headlines. Mark Stoops, who has built his tenure on strong recruiting and player development, now faces mounting criticism as his once-promising classes fall apart. And for Eric Wolford, already under fire for the offensive line’s collapse, this is one more glaring mark against his tenure.

Khamari Anderson was supposed to be a building block for the Wildcats’ future. Instead, he’s another reminder that Kentucky is losing the battle to retain its best talent. Keep up with all the transfer news by clicking here