If you needed more proof that the national media is paying attention to Kentucky heading into the 2026 season, On3 just gave it to us.
The network released its "Way Too Early Top 100" players for the 2026 college football season, and after scanning the entire list, I found exactly one Wildcat. Tavion Gadson.
Gadson absolutely deserves this. Coming in at No. 79, the Georgia native is finally getting the national respect he earned after one of the best comeback stories. But seeing him as the only name on that list? That feels like a mistake.
Tavion Gadson is the comeback king
Let's focus on the good news first. Gadson's inclusion is a testament to his resilience. Remember, this is a guy who suffered a brutal knee injury in 2024. Most players would have taken a "get right" year or eased their way back into the rotation. Gadson did the opposite. He came back with a vengeance in 2025.
He posted 28 tackles and two sacks last season, but the stats don't tell the whole story. It was the way he moved. He was explosive. He was disruptive. He looked like the Top 100 talent we recruited out of Savannah. For On3 to recognize him as one of the elite defenders in the country going into 2026 is a massive validation of the work he put in during rehab.
The snub
But here is where I take issue. Kentucky's defense has consistently been one of the toughest units in the SEC. To suggest that Gadson is the only player on this roster worthy of a Top 100 spot feels lazy. Ty Bryant would have been a great pick.
I get the offense getting snubbed, pretty much everyone is going to be new to the role they currently will be asked to play. Some are injury prone, and others are inexperienced. But I still believe there will be more than 1 Kentucky player on the list of top 100 players after the season is done.
Maybe it's just the nature of "Way Too Early" lists. They rely on hype and brand names. But if Tavion Gadson is going to be the lone representative for Kentucky, I’m glad it’s him. He can be an anchor for new DC Jay Bateman. He is the proof that you can come back from injury better than you were before.
And if the rest of the team needs bulletin board material for spring practice, On3 just printed it for them.