Receiver among the positions Kentucky needs transfer help after spring practice

As Kentucky works through its scholarship numbers for the upcoming season, Stoops pointed out that, with 86 scholarships expected for the fall, the team may need to make some adjustments to reach the SEC’s 85-scholarship limit. This could lead to some players entering the transfer portal. “We’re still working through what the final numbers will be and managing the potential attrition,” Stoops explained.

One of the potential additions to the roster, Louisiana Tech wide receiver transfer Tru Edwards, was absent from the current scholarship count. Edwards, who had committed to Kentucky in December, faced uncertainty regarding his eligibility following an NCAA decision that affected players who had exhausted their eligibility. Stoops confirmed that additional information had been received regarding Edwards’ eligibility, but it seems unlikely that the waiver will apply to him. As a result, with several wide receivers unavailable for the Spring Showcase due to injuries, the Wildcats are expected to seek out more help at the receiver position via the transfer portal.

Vince Marrow, Kentucky’s recruiting coordinator, stated earlier in the week that the majority of the team is already in place, but the staff would look to add one or two players if the right opportunity arises. “Our defense is pretty solid, but on offense, we could use another running back, a receiver, and maybe a tight end,” Marrow said.

One position that could see both additions and departures through the transfer portal is running back. Kentucky added Nebraska transfer Dante Dowdell in December, and he impressed during the Spring Showcase with his physical running style. Redshirt freshman Jason Patterson shared first-team reps with Dowdell, though Patterson is still working on understanding the playbook. The running back depth could be a concern, especially with redshirt freshman Tovani Mizell recovering from an ACL injury and yet to prove his ability to take on a larger role. Stoops noted the improvements in the running game throughout spring practice, acknowledging the team’s need to maintain physicality and avoid being predictable on offense.

The Wildcats will continue to evaluate their roster and look to improve depth, particularly in areas like wide receiver and running back, as the transfer portal remains a key avenue for addressing these needs.