Mark Stoops listed multiple "ORs" at every wide receiver position on the depth chart. He says that's by design, signaling a new era of competitive depth for the Wildcats' passing attack.
When fans first glance at a depth chart and see the dreaded “OR” between names, the instinct is to assume uncertainty. But in Lexington, that word is not a crutch—it’s a weapon.
Kentucky’s wide receiver room is the deepest it’s been in years, and head coach Mark Stoops isn’t hiding the fact. From the ‘X’ to the ‘Z’ to the inside slot, the Wildcats are rolling with co-starters across the board. Second-year athlete Hardley Gilmore IV OR sixth-year veteran J.J. Hester. Sixth-year transfer Ja’Mori Maclin OR redshirt senior Fred Farrier II. Senior Kendrick Law OR redshirt senior Troy Stellato.
That’s not confusion—that’s competition.
“I wouldn’t put any ‘or’ in there that I didn’t believe could go out and play winning football,” Stoops said flatly. “Sometimes it’s a rotational thing… no clear separation.”
What makes this so striking is the departure from Kentucky’s past approach. For years, the Wildcats often leaned on one or two clear targets, Dane Key and Barion Brown, before that it was Wan'Dale Robinson. This fall, new quarterback Zach Calzada will have an arsenal of options at his disposal.
The mix is fascinating. Maclin has a proven record of explosive plays. Law and Stellato bring reliability and slot savvy. Then there are the young guns: Gilmore IV looks the part of an outside star in the making, while true freshmen DJ Miller and Montavin Quisenberry are already making noise in camp.
The benefits are obvious. First, defenses can’t key on just one weapon. If Maclin draws the attention, a big-bodied target like Hester (6-4, 202) can step in and create mismatch nightmares. Second, the internal competition drives the standard. Every rep matters. Every route is evaluated.
The result? A receiver room with depth, diversity, and danger. Kentucky may not have a clear-cut WR1 yet, but collectively, this group is positioned to be the most unpredictable and potent Stoops has ever had. For opposing defensive coordinators, that tiny word “OR” on the depth chart may as well read “good luck.”
Drew Holbrook is an avid Kentucky fan who has been covering the Cats for over 10 years. In his free time, he spends time with his family, and watching Premier League soccer. #UpTheAlbion