Kentucky defensive lineman Kendrick Gilbert has decided to enter the NCAA Transfer Portal. The 6-foot-5, 275-pound redshirt freshman leaves Lexington with three years of eligibility left, opening up a scholarship spot for the Wildcats ahead of the 2025 season. Gilbert, originally a 4-star recruit, had committed to Purdue before ultimately flipping his commitment and signing with Kentucky on National Signing Day. Hailing from Cathedral High School in Indianapolis, he was highly regarded as the No. 2 player in Indiana and the 12th-best defensive lineman nationally according to Rivals. He chose Kentucky over other offers, including ones from LSU and Iowa.
In the 2024 season, Gilbert participated in eight of Kentucky’s 12 games, recording five tackles and one tackle for loss. His performance included two tackles against Ohio and a shared tackle for loss against Southern Miss. He redshirted in 2023, playing in two games and logging one tackle each in matchups against Ball State and Clemson. Gilbert’s decision to transfer gives Kentucky another scholarship to utilize as coach Mark Stoops and his staff continue to build the roster through the transfer portal.
