Kentucky football 2025 offseason calendar: Transfer portal, signing day dates and more
If last winter was “the most important offseason of Mark Stoops’ Kentucky tenure,” as described in this space immediately after the Gator Bowl loss to Clemson, the next six months have to be considered a make-or-break period for UK’s all-time winningest coach.
Things in Stoops’ program have gone from bad to worse after a 4-8 season that ended the Wildcats’ eight-year bowl streak. Along the way, winning streaks against Florida and Louisville also ended and Kentucky added another loss to South Carolina and Vanderbilt.
After UK’s season-ending loss to Louisville, Stoops insisted what appears to be a massive roster rebuild has energized him to return his program to glory. That resolve will be put to the test by an arduous offseason calendar that begins in earnest this week.
Here are the offseason dates to know.
Dec. 4
High school signing day: In an effort to streamline the roster turnover process, the NCAA moved the December signing period for high school prospects from the third Wednesday of the month to the first this year. That means Stoops and his staff must balance exit interviews with current players that will determine who stays and who leaves with the final push to sign the bulk of its 2025 high school class. The week started off on a worrisome note with four-star running back commitment Marquise Davis and three-star offensive lineman Tucker Kattus flipping their commitments from UK to Missouri and Clemson respectively.
Dec. 9
Transfer portal opens: The December window for current college players to enter the transfer portal opens the Monday after conference championship games. While players cannot officially enter the portal until the Dec. 9, expect players planning to explore transfer options to begin announcing those decisions this week. The portal window closes Dec. 28. Players can still commit to new schools after the window closes, but if they want to participate in spring practice they will need to enroll at their new school by the start of the spring semester in January.
Jan. 6
NFL draft entry deadline: There are three different January deadlines for underclassmen to enter the NFL draft, but the one Kentucky fans need to monitor is the first one since UK’s season is already finished. Defensive tackle Deone Walker and cornerback Maxwell Hairston are expected to leave for the draft, but they could be joined by other players with remaining eligibility. Wide receivers Dane Key and Barion Brown will be among the players to watch, unless they already entered the transfer portal.
Jan. 13
First day of spring semester: For UK, the spring semester starts on the second Monday of the month. Incoming transfers and mid-year enrollees from the high school class have until Jan. 17 to add classes. Any additions who will be available for spring practice must be on campus by then.
Feb. 5
Spring singing day: As has become the norm since the advent of the December signing period, the bulk of high school prospects are expected to sign with schools this week, but there could be a handful of targets remaining for the February signing period. With Stoops expected to focus the bulk of his roster rebuilding efforts on the transfer portal, this will probably be a quiet day for Kentucky.
Feb. 24-March 3
NFL combine: It seems unlikely that many UK fans will get excited about the pre-draft process this year after a disappointing season, but multiple Wildcats could draw attention at the combine in Indianapolis. Walker will garner the most headlines as a possible first-round pick, but it could be a large class of UK prospects invited to the combine. Those players will meet with reporters in Indianapolis, offering a chance to provide their perspective on the state of UK’s program.
Early March
Start of spring practice: UK has not announced dates for spring practice yet, but Stoops has typically started practice the week before the university’s spring break, which is set for March 17-22. With a large portal class expected, spring practice will be essential for Stoops and his staff integrating a new roster.
April 16-25
Spring portal window: While there was buzz the NCAA might eliminate the second transfer window, the governing body instead decided to drop it from 15 to 10 days. There is typically less transfer movement in the spring window, but UK still has plugged some late holes on the roster with additions who enter the portal after spring practice. Expect a few more departures too as players who used spring practice to evaluate their spot on the depth chart look for playing time elsewhere.
April 24-26
NFL draft: If Walker impresses at the combine, he has a chance to be UK’s first first-round pick since 2021. Hairston has a chance to be a second-day pick, and a host of other Wildcats are likely to be picked on day three.
May 19
Start of summer classes: For any transfers or high school signees who did not enroll for the spring semester, this is the date they can arrive on campus. The summer school session coincides with important conditioning and team meeting prep for the season.
Mid July
SEC Media Days: The SEC has announced a location for its annual preseason media extravaganza (Atlanta) but not dates. Kentucky is unlikely to draw much attention from regional and national media at the event, but it will represent the start of the talking season for Stoops and players. Will Stoops elect to bring redshirt freshman quarterback Cutter Boley to represent the team in Atlanta? Will he use any incoming transfers among the three players at the event? There are not many obvious candidates among the returning players to generate buzz at the event, but Stoops might be OK with flying under the radar until the season starts.
Late July
Start of preseason camp: With the season opener falling in August next year, UK is likely to start preseason practice the final week of July. Media day should be around Aug. 1. That will be the first chance to hear from the full roster for the first time. The fan day open practice usually follows on the first Saturday of August.
Aug. 30
Season opener: The 2025 schedule has not been released, but previously available contracts have the season opener against Toledo set for Aug. 30. UK also has nonconference games against Eastern Michigan (Sept. 13), Tennessee Tech (Nov. 15) and at Louisville (Nov. 29) scheduled. The SEC schedule will be a reverse of the 2024 slate with Ole Miss, Florida, Tennessee and Texas playing in Lexington and UK traveling to South Carolina, Georgia, Vanderbilt and Auburn. Dates for the games should be announced before Christmas.
This story was originally published December 3, 2024 at 6:30 AM.