Spring Portal Preview: Where Kentucky lands heading into final roster-building window

Kentucky will host a spring game on Saturday afternoon at Kroger Field in what will mostly be a practice. The Wildcats are nursing some injuries as we’ve passed another checkpoint in the offseason. Now there is some roster construction work to complete.

The spring transfer portal window will open on Tuesday, April 16, and closes on Tuesday, April 30. College football undergraduates have two weeks to decide if they want to enter free agency or not. Commitments/additions can come after that window, and grad transfers can enter the portal at any time, but most of the player movement will come over the next two weeks. The latest window will likely not be as busy as the winter window, but some important personnel additions and losses will occur.

KSR+ is here to get you prepared for what could be a wild few weeks. Just last year, Kentucky was a very active shopper in the spring transfer portal finding starting placekicker Alex Raynor, reserve linebacker Daveren Rayner, and three offensive linemen. We could see a similar volume again this spring.

Before the player movement officially arrives, let’s set the table. KSR+ has put together a full portal preview on where Kentucky is from a scholarship count, recaps the winter portal, and capsules on where the Wildcats stand at each position

Scholarship List

Kentucky is wrapping up spring practice with 85 scholarship players, per KSR+’s count. NCAA rules state that college football teams are only allowed to have 85 players on scholarship when the season begins.

Here is how Kentucky is currently spending its scholarship capital.

Offense

Quarterback (2): Brock Vandagriff (RJr.), Cutter Boley (Fr.)

Tailback (5): Chip Trayanum (RSr.), Demie Sumo-Karngbaye (Sr.), Jamarion Wilcox (RFr.), Jason Patterson (Fr.), Tovani Mizell (Fr.)

Wide Receiver (11): Ja’Mori Maclin (RSr.), Fred Farrier II (RJr.), Barion Brown (Jr.), Dane Key (Jr.), Brandon White (RSo.), Anthony Brown-Stephens (So.), Ardell Banks (RFr.), Raymond Cottrell (RFr.), Shamar Porter (RFr.), Hardley Gilmore (Fr.), David Washington Jr. (Fr.)

Tight End (5): Jordan Dingle (RJr.), Josh Kattus (Jr.), Khamari Anderson (So.), Tanner Lemaster (RFr.), Willie Rodriguez (Fr.)

Interior OL (11): Eli Cox (Super), Jager Burton (RJr.), Ben Christman (RJr.), Dylan Ray (RJr.), Paul Rodriguez (RJr.), Jalen Farmer (RSo.), Koby Keenum (RFr.), Austin Ramsey (RFr.), Hayes Johnson (Fr.), Marc Nave Jr. (Fr.), Aba Selm (Fr.)

Tackle (4): Marques Cox (Super), Courtland Ford (RSr.), Gerald Mincey (RSr.), Malachi Wood (RFr.)

Total: 38

Defense

Defensive Line (12): Josaih Hayes (Super), Darrion Henry-Young (RSr.), Octavious Oxendine (RSr.), Tre’vonn Rybka (RSr.), Kahlil Saunders (RJr.), Keeshawn Silver (RJr.), Deone Walker (Jr.), Tavion Gadson (RFr.), Kendrick Gilbert (RFr.), Tommy Ziesmer (RFr.), Brian Robinson (Fr.), Jerod Smith II (Fr.)

EDGE (7): J.J. Weaver (Super), Tyreese Fearbry (RSo.), Noah Matthews (RSo.), Grant Godfrey (RFr.), Caleb Redd (Fr.), Jacob Smith (Fr.), Steven Soles Jr. (Fr.)

Linebacker (8): Daveren Rayner (Super), D’Eryk Jackson (RSr.), Jamon Dumas-Johnson (Sr.), Jayvant Brown (So.), Quintavion Norman (Fr.), Antwan Smith (Fr.), Devin Smith (Fr.), Jaden Smith (Fr.)

Cornerback (8): Jantzen Dunn (RJr.), Maxwell Hairston (RJr.), Jordan Robinson (RJr.), JQ Hardaway (Jr.), Nasir Addison (So.), Quavo Marshall (Fr.), Terhyon Nichols (Fr.), Quay’Sheed Scott (Fr.)

Safety (8): Zion Childress (Super), Kristian Story (RSr.), Jordan Lovett (RJr.), Alex Afari (Jr.), Ty Bryant (So.), Jaremiah Anglin (RFr.), Avery Stuart (RFr.), Cam Dooley (Fr.)

Total: 43

Specialists

Alex Raynor (Super), Wilson Berry (RJr.), Jackson Smith (RSo.), Jacob Kauwe (Fr.)

Total: 4

Some attrition is needed for Kentucky during the spring transfer portal window to create roster room for transfer additions.

Current Transfer Class

In the winter transfer portal window, Kentucky got busy adding to the roster. The Wildcats added nine scholarship players to the roster addressing roster holes at quarterback, tailback, wide receiver, offensive line, and safety.

PlayerPosition (Measurables)High SchoolFormer SchoolClassRaymond Cottrell Jr.WR (6-3, 210)Milton (Fla.) HighTexas A&MRFr.Jamon Dumas-JohnsonLB (6-1, 245)Baltimore (Md.) St. Frances AcademyGeorgiaSr.Jalen FarmeriOL (6-5, 310)Covington (Ga.) EastsideFloridaRSo.Fred Farrier IIWR (6-1, 180)Frankfort (Ky.) Franklin CountyUABRJr.Ja’Mori MaclinWR (5-11, 183)Kirkwood (Mo.) HighMissouri/North TexasRSr.Gerald MinceyT (6-6, 337)Ft. Lauderdale (Fla.) Cardinal GibbonsFlorida/TennesseeRSr.Kristian StoryS (6-1, 211)Lanett (Ala.) HighAlabamaRSr.Chip TrayanumRB (5-11, 233)Akron (Ohio) Archbishop HobanArizona State/Ohio StateRSr.Brock VandagriffQB (6-3, 210)Bogart (Ga.) Prince Avenue ChristianGeorgiaRJr.

Kentucky got out of the winter transfer portal window by adding just one defensive player to the roster. Will that side of the ball be addressed during the spring window?

Kentucky Roster Rundown: Offense

KSR+ is now going position-by-position to see where Kentucky’s roster stands. Let’s dive in.

Quarterback

Kentucky brought in Georgia quarterback transfer Brock Vandagriff to be QB1. There are not snaps to sell at this position. The Wildcats also added walk-on Beau Allen to address depth, and four-star true freshman Cutter Boley joined the roster in December. It’s not an easy sell, but looking for a veteran quarterback to be a backup — similar to Sawyer Smith — could be something Kentucky considers.

Tailback

Kentucky currently has five scholarship tailbacks on the roster with Chip Trayanum, Demie Sumo-Karngbaye, and Jason Patterson getting reps with the ones this spring. If there are some unexpected departures, UK could look to address the position in April, but I get the sense that the coaching staff currently likes where they stand after adding Trayanum to the roster. Expectations are still high for Jamarion Wilcox. Jay Boulware has a crowded position room, but there is some previous college production to lean on. Things could change if another departure arrives.

Wide Receiver

Kentucky added three scholarship transfers at wide receiver in the winter on top of the return of Barion Brown and Dane Key. The Wildcats have settled this room. UK should be good to go at wideout.

Tight End

High school recruiting and development continues to win out at tight end. The Wildcats do not have a need at the position with Jordan Dingle, Josh Kattus, and Khamari Anderson all ready for big roles in 2024.

Offensive Line

Kentucky appears to be in a good spot at each skill-talent positions, but the offensive line still needs some help. Tackle depth is still a major concern for new offensive coach Eric Wolford, and the starting guard battle is wide open. Expect the Wildcats to be active shoppers and we could see multiple additions on the offensive line. I would also expect a departure or two.

Kentucky Roster Rundown: Defense

After touching on each offensive position, let’s now switch over to the other side of the football. Kentucky has some needs to address on defense.

Defensive Line

Perhaps the biggest story to come out of spring practice is how banged up Kentucky is in the trenches. The defensive line is dealing with a plethora of injuries, and there may even be one season-ending injury. Defensive line was a position of strength, but Kentucky might need to address some depth concerns in the spring window. Do not be surprised to see the Cats kick the tires on some free agent defensive tackles.

EDGE

The return of J.J. Weaver for his super senior season gave Kentucky a building block at EDGE linebacker. Meanwhile, the Wildcats just added three high school signees, and Tyreese Fearbry is expected to play a bigger role. I believe Kentucky will stand pat at EDGE unless there is an unexpected departure.

Linebacker

The addition of Jamon Dumas-Johnson gave Kentucky an instant starter at off-ball linebacker. Starter D’Eryk Jackson and top reserve Daveren Rayner also return. The Cats just signed a high-volume high school class at this position. The Wildcats are in a good spot at linebacker, but this is a spot that could be a big need when the next transfer portal window arrives in December after the roster turns over.

Cornerback

Now to the elephant in the room. Despite getting multiple official visits scheduled with transfers in December and January, Kentucky did not add a cornerback during the winter window. That still feels like a need for the Wildcats. Jantzen Dunn was one of the real winners this spring and may have locked up the starting gig at nickel, but Kentucky could use some help at cornerback. Expect the Wildcats to add a potential instant starter at this position.

Safety

The addition of Kristian Story gives Kentucky a clear top four at safety. That should put this position in a good spot with some young talent waiting in the wings. I believe the Wildcats feel good about where they stand at safety.

Kentucky Roster Rundown: Specialists

Former Georgia Southern transfer Alex Raynor returns after a great first year with Kentucky after pouring in 10 of 11 field goal attempts. Kentucky does not have a need at placekicker. The same cannot be said for punter and kickoff specialist. The Wildcats went heavy on portal additions on special teams last year, and we could see the same thing play out this offseason.

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