Kentucky football’s roster could use boost from spring transfer portal at these positions
The next wave of college football’s offseason roster chaos began Saturday with the opening of the spring transfer portal window.
Players have from April 15 to April 30 to enter the portal. They do not have to commit to a new school by then, but the spring window was timed so players could evaluate where they stand at their current programs after spring practice.
As Kentucky closed its spring practice last week, head coach Mark Stoops acknowledged further departures from the Wildcats’ roster are possible but said he was unaware of any that had been finalized at that time.
Stoops and company already have room in the 85-man scholarship limit to add further transfer reinforcements in the spring window, and the number of available scholarships could increase if players buried on the depth chart look to leave in search of more snaps.
Spring practice provided more clarity on remaining holes on the 2023 roster. UK has already added transfers at quarterback, running back, offensive line, defensive line and cornerback. Here are three positions where Kentucky could look to add a transfer in the coming weeks.
OFFENSIVE TACKLE
The addition of Northern Illinois transfer Marques Cox has solidified the left tackle spot on Kentucky’s offensive line and created a cascading effect by allowing Kenneth Horsey, Jager Burton and Eli Cox to each move one spot to the right from their 2022 positions. Right tackle remains a position of concern, though.
“We’re still trying to figure out the right tackle spot right now,” offensive line coach Zach Yenser said earlier this month. “Whether that’s somebody in our room or we’ve got to go get another one, we’re going to do whatever we have to do to feel confident to be able to win games this fall.”
Incumbent Jeremy Flax battled 2022 backups David Wohlabaugh and Deondre Buford for the starting job during spring practice. Redshirt freshman Nik Hall, who was unavailable for spring practice due to an offseason surgery, could also factor in the competition.
Since no player was apparently able to take control of the competition in spring practice, it would be a surprise if there is not at least one more transfer tackle on the roster by the opening of preseason practice. Kentucky has already been linked to Southern Cal transfer Courtland Ford, a former three-star recruit from Texas. Wyoming offensive lineman Emmanuel Pregnon also reported a scholarship offer from the Wildcats Sunday.
INSIDE LINEBACKER
DeAndre Square and Jacquez Jones are gone, but Kentucky coaches are confident in the abilities of Trevin Wallace and D’Eryk Jackson to take over the starting inside linebacker spots on a full-time basis. Depth is a concern, though, with junior Martez Thrower and senior Luke Fulton, who have played sparingly to date, the only other scholarship options.
Considering Square and Jones missed large chunks of the 2022 season with injury, the need for multiple players coaches can feel confident about at the position is evident. Perhaps that depth comes from further improvement from Thrower or Fulton. Sophomore outside linebacker Keaton Wade also played some inside linebacker in spring practice when injuries forced him into action there.
With Wallace and Jackson entrenched as starters, it might be difficult to lure a top-level transfer linebacker to Lexington, but there should be players available who are interested in proving themselves at the Southeastern Conference level, even in a rotational role. Kentucky hosted Jackson State linebacker Jurriente Davis on an official visit.
Davis is looking for his fourth school. He began his career at Middle Tennessee, then earned junior-college All-America honors in one season at Hutchinson Community College. Last season at FCS Jackson State, Davis totaled 58 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss and one sack in 13 games. He was listed as a middle linebacker in Jackson State’s 4-2-5 defense.
KICKER
Chance Poore, who has served as the Wildcats’ kickoff specialist, returned to Lexington this spring for his extra season of eligibility with hopes of locking down the field goal kicking job he had been unable to secure in his first five years as a Wildcat. Poore leaves spring practice as the No. 1 kicker, but new special teams coordinator Jay Boulware will probably have a chance to put his own stamp on the specialist positions if he thinks more competition is needed.
“You could see days where he was out there and extremely confident and comfortable,” Stoops said of Poore on the final day of spring practice. “He’s got good pop on the ball. You could see that with his kickoffs and his leg strength. He’s been more consistent. We’re working on timing and working on getting quicker, getting the ball up.
“There’s been days where he’s been very good, and there’s been other days where the inconsistency pops up.”
Redshirt freshman Jackson Smith is the other scholarship kicker on campus, but it does not appear he is ready to take over the starting job. Adding a third scholarship kicker might not be a priority if there is a crunch on the 85-man roster, but there could be quality walk-on options available looking to transfer up from the FCS or Group of Five level.
Projecting Kentucky football’s defensive depth chart after spring practice
Projecting Kentucky football’s offensive depth chart after spring practice
How Kentucky football is still using John Schlarman’s legacy to rebuild offensive line
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