As the Wildcats head into a transitional phase, Kentucky football fans are grappling with significant roster changes. An underwhelming offense last season saw inconsistency at key positions, and now some of the team’s top contributors are either graduating or entering the transfer portal. Here’s how things currently stand, along with an updated depth chart for those who are staying put, for now.
Departures: Who’s Leaving?
The Wildcats will lose several impactful players to graduation and transfers, creating voids across the board.
Graduates:
- Demie Sumo-Karngbaye (RB)
- Eli Cox (C)
- Marques Cox (LT)
- Gerald Mincey (RT)
- Zion Childress, Kristian Story (DBs)
- Jamon Dumas-Johnson (LB)
- J.J. Weaver, Tre'vonn Rybka, Octavious Oxendine (DL)
Transfers Out:
- Barion Brown, Dane Key, Anthony Brown-Stephens (WRs)
- Khamari Anderson, Jordan Dingle, Tanner Lemaster (TEs)
- Avery Stuart, Jarard Mosely (DBs)
- Ben Christman, Courtland Ford (OL)
Updated offensive depth chart
Wide Receivers:
- X: Fred Farrier II
- Z: David Washington Jr. or Hardley Gilmore IV
- F: 1 Ja'Mori Maclin 2 Brandon White
Portal Outlook:
Even with the addition of Quisenberry, Simmons, Miller, and Bowman, the Cats WR is not in a good place depth wise. You have 3 quality receivers in Farrier, Gilmore and Maclin; however only Maclin has significant college experience and production. Expect the portal to be active for Kentucky at WR.
Offensive Line:
- LT: Hayes Johnson
- LG: 1 Jager Burton 2 Alba Selm
- C: Koby Keenum
- RG: 1 Jalen Farmer 2 Dylan Ray
- RT: 1 Malachi Wood 2 Anfernee Crease
Portal Outlook:
Vince Marrow seems to think Jager Burton is the answer at guard, that is really the only position solidified at this moment. Wood played at RT towards the end of the year and may have a jump on the starting spot, but he didn't exactly shine. Expect a heavy dose of offensive lineman from the portal, especially at tackle and Center.
Tight Ends:
- TE: 1 Willie Rodriguez 2 Josh Kattus
Portal Outlook:
Vince Marrow lost Khamari Anderson, Jordan Dingle, and Tanner Lemaster leaving only 2 TEs with college experience. They did add Skinner, who Marrow said was the most athletic TE he has signed. Expect the Cats to grab at least 2 tight ends in the portal to solidify the Big Dog's room.
Running Backs:
- RB: 1 Jamarion Wilcox 2 Chip Trayanum 3 Jason Patterson
Portal Outlook:
Some light rumors that Wilcox could leave to go play for Lane Kiffin at Ole Miss, and Stoops has said Trayanum wants to come back and that he is happy with Patterson. If Wilcox stays Kentucky maybe dips for depth at the position, but if he leaves it would mean the Cats need to find a starter again.
Quarterbacks:
- QB: 1 Cutter Boley 2 Gavin Wimsatt 3 Brock Vandagriff
Portal Outlook:
Kentucky adds Stone Saunders and Brennan Ward, however Stoops has already said they will be active to get at least 1 QB in the portal. Some rumors that Boley and Hamdan aren't the perfect marriage is out there, so keep an eye on yet another big name at QB in the portal for the Cats.
Incoming Offensive Freshmen
Losing Davis to Missouri was a big blow for the running back room, but the class otherwise stayed together, which is a good sign for the staff. Kentucky will be looking to this class to replace the 2023 class that has had 10 of its 19 signees transfer out.
Cameron Miller ATH Atco, NJ
Dejerrian Miller WR St. Louis, MO
Mikkel Skinner TE Greer, SC
Montavin Quisenberry WR
Jayden Clark OL Clayton, OH
Jermiel Atkins OL Trotwood, OH
Bryan Auguste OL Coconut Creek, FL
Preston Bowman WR Pickerington, OH
Darrin Strey OL Paw Paw, MI
Brennen Ward QB Gahanna, OH
Quintin Simmons WR Cincinnati, OH
Stone Saunders QB Harrisburg, PA
Offensive line is definitely the priority, with WR and TE a close second and third. Beyond that it will be a lot of defensive players which we will detail in another post. As always stay tuned to WBN for all news Kentucky, and click here for all the transfer portal comings and goings.