Definitely making some hay in the portal

[Jaxcat]

Seems like we've already gotten 8 and several look like instant starters (which we need desperately). And, surprising to me, not all of them are offensive transfers. Have already landed 5 defensive transfers and 3 offensive ones. It also looks like we're in the running for a big-time RB and WR, which are critical needs, imo. Still have a pretty long ways to go, but it's a very good start.

I wonder how many transfers we'll actually take - 20? 25? IIRC, we can now have 105 scholarships, so taking 20+ shouldn't result in a numbers squeeze at all.

Biggest needs:
1. OL
2. RB (more than one)
3. DL
4. WR
5. LB
6. DB
7. Another, developmental, QB? (only have 3 at the moment - Minchey, Ward, Ponatoski)

[Pobilly]

List as of Tuesday Jan 6, 2026 at 2:10PM

QB Kenny Minchey, Notre Dame
IOL Coleton Price, Baylor
LB Tavion Wallace, Arkansas
DT Ahmad Breaux, LSU
EDGE Antonio O’Berry, Gardner-Webb
CB Hasaan Sykes, Western Carolina
DB Aaron Gates, Florida
IOL Max Anderson, Tennessee
RB Jovantae Barnes, Oklahoma

[TrueblueCATfan]

I just read on X That so far we are ranked 6th so far in the portal

[WildcatRick]

QB Kenny Minchey, Notre Dame
IOL Coleton Price, Baylor
LB Tavion Wallace, Arkansas
DT Ahmad Breaux, LSU
EDGE Antonio O’Berry, Gardner-Webb
CB Hasaan Sykes, Western Carolina
DB Aaron Gates, Florida
IOL Max Anderson, Tennessee
RB Jovantae Barnes, Oklahoma
DT Jamarrion Harkless, Purdue


Also got a commitment from 4* Safety HSer Andre Clarke yesterday.

[SportsFan]

I still want to see names like C.J. Baxter and DeAnsre Moore. Yes, we're seeing guys coming to Kentucky...but it's not the Sam Leavitt type names, it's Kenny Minchey. It's not CJ Baxter, it's Javontae Barnes. I'm still hoping for some big, game changer type names before I start to get excited.

[Jaxcat]

Well, there's only so much NIL to go around and it didn't make any sense to spend a huge chunk of limited funds on one player when we have/had MULTIPLE critical needs. I am impressed with most of the transfers so far. But, I hadn't heard McGowan or Dowdell's names (just to name 2) before they transferred last year. I didn't know they'd be good. Our OTs last year? Never heard of them but they played well. Not All-SEC caliber, but significantly better than the year prior. So, yes, we're not landing THE top player at each position. But, on paper, they look solid and they're much cheaper. And we need to bring on several more presumed starters on both sides before this transfer window closes. We should have enough NIL to get quality guys still and I'm not sure that would've been the case if we dropped $4M on Leavitt.

[Pobilly]

I still want to see names like C.J. Baxter and DeAnsre Moore. Yes, we're seeing guys coming to Kentucky...but it's not the Sam Leavitt type names, it's Kenny Minchey. It's not CJ Baxter, it's Javontae Barnes. I'm still hoping for some big, game changer type names before I start to get excited.

I would too. But that is a big ask for year 1 of a head football coach ever. Stein is not afraid to go after guys, might get a few for sure but might not year 1. If we get guys that make up 25% better than last year and Stein and crew can coach them up and we go 6-6 or better (which again with our schedule is a big deal) then he won year 1 and can build on that. I think the good news so far is the pieces on defense we are getting. Minchey (sp) from reports out there on the interwebs was always QB2 behind Leavitt. Once Leavitt jacked UK around by continuing to look for visits, I love the fact Stein moved on. Said you are not using UK to get more money from Kiffin. He is not playing games. He is getting what he wants, might not be first choice but he is cutting ties and moving on. I like that part. Hopefully we get 1 or 3 offense difference makers. We might have 2 already in the RB and QB, but will have to wait to see how they develop over spring and summer.

[Pobilly]

Couple of more pieces added this morning. Here is the new list. 13 total.

• QB Kenny Minchey, Notre Dame
• IOL Coleton Price, Baylor
• LB Tavion Wallace, Arkansas
• DT Ahmad Breaux, LSU
• EDGE Antonio O’Berry, Gardner-Webb
• CB Hasaan Sykes, Western Carolina
• DB Aaron Gates, Florida
• IOL Max Anderson, Tennessee
• RB Jovantae Barnes, Oklahoma
• DT Jamarrion Harkless, Purdue
• OL Olaus Alinen, Alabama
• WR Xavier Daisy, UAB
• S Jordan Castell, Florida

[Jaxcat]

^I like the OL additions all being from major programs. Our luck with MAC and Sunbelt OL has been hit-and-miss. I would assume that players from Baylor, AL and TN all had some pretty major offers out of HS and have received good coaching, nutrition, strength training, etc. while in college. Just need to mesh them together into a cohesive unit - the physical attributes should be there.

[Pobilly]

7 defense and 6 offense so far adding across the board. only 3 have been from non power 4 teams and would be what I would call risk guys for the SEC. I have seen on the Garner Web guy that many SEC and BIG10 teams were wanting him on their roster. The West Carolina guy do not know much about.
The UAB receiver was wanted by Ole Miss and LSU. He might be a very good get for UK.

[Matt Dillon]

I just saw that we're getting a visit from one of Auburn's starting OT's.

[bthaunert]

On 247, we have the 9th ranked class. Class ranking can be skewed a little based on the number of commits you have (Penn State is #1 and Oklahoma State is #2 because they each have 24 commits as an example. Iowa State is the only other school with more than 20 commits). But more importantly, they also have the average playing ranking per team and we are ranked 10th. That's a really good spot to be right now.

[EKYCat]

New life in the program!

[Jaxcat]

With Gilmore and Miller both transferring, would that indicate a WR1 (maybe WR2, also?) are expected to come on board soon? Gilmore, had he stayed, surely would've been expected to play a lot of football this coming fall. Not sure why he'd leave unless Stein wasn't willing to up the ante and/or stiff competition is inbound. Not sure how much Miller would have played but I'm guessing he'd have played some.

[Matt Dillon]

My biggest concern, at this time, is OT. Darrin Strey has entered the Portal leaving Malachi Wood as the only OT with in-game reps remaining on the roster. With one week left for players to transfer, and most of the better h.s. players already having signed NLI's, the situation seems to be getting dire to me.