Offensive exodus continues as Kentucky football loses 4th WR to the transfer portal

Kentucky football’s struggles under head coach Mark Stoops took another hit this week as yet another wide player from the 2023 recruiting class entered the transfer portal. Anthony Brown-Stephens has decided to leave Kentucky football, following Barion Brown, Dane Key and reportedly Ja'mori Maclin.

This marks the fourth departure from the wide receiver room, raising serious concerns about the program’s ability to develop and retain talent at skill positions.

Brown-Stephens arrived in Lexington as a 3-star recruit, ranked 89 by 247 Sports. While his production was modest—5 receptions for 77 yards and 2 touchdowns in 2024, along with 7 carries for 31 yards—his exit adds to the mounting evidence of an alarming trend. Kentucky’s once-promising 2023 recruiting class now appears to be in shambles, as ten of its nineteen members have chosen to leave the program.

For Stoops, who has built his reputation on player retention and development, this offensive exodus is a troubling sign. The Wildcats’ offense, already criticized for its lack of explosiveness, now faces even greater uncertainty heading into the offseason. Holding onto key players like Fred Farrier and Hardley Gilmore is no longer just important—it’s absolutely critical.

Farrier, a dynamic playmaker with significant upside, and Gilmore, who has shown flashes of brilliance, represent Kentucky’s last hope to stabilize its wide receiver corps. Losing either of them would be catastrophic, effectively leaving the Wildcats with a gutted position group.

Critics point to a lack of offensive identity and questionable play-calling as contributing factors to the exodus. Despite high hopes, the Wildcats’ passing game has yet to take the leap many anticipated, leaving players frustrated and seeking opportunities elsewhere.

With the transfer portal open, the stakes have never been higher for Stoops and his staff. If they fail to stem the tide and address the underlying issues driving these departures, Kentucky risks falling further behind rivals who are revamping their rosters fast. In a league that thrives on high-powered offenses, the Wildcats are running out of time—and weapons.