Kentucky football’s 2025 transfer class will have to earn the trust of Wildcats fans.
A year after the much-hyped 2024 transfer class failed to live up to expectations on the way to a 4-8 season, a portion of Big Blue Nation will be understandably skeptical any time Mark Stoops and his staff point to the latest haul of transfers as the magic fix for the program’s problems. That reality means until the Wildcats play games in 2024, no amount of transfer rankings or apparent fits on paper will matter much to someone who already believes there are bigger issues in the program new players alone will not fix.
But with the spring semester beginning Monday, Stoops and his staff appear to have done a good job filling most of the holes on the roster.
The class is ranked seventh nationally by 247Sports and 11th by Rivals. Meanwhile On3, which factors in outgoing transfers to its portal class rankings, slots the Wildcats at 36th nationally.
You will not find many of the transfers UK signed on the top available player lists. Only defensive lineman David Gusta (No. 28 at 247Sports) is ranked as a top-50 player in the portal by 247Sports or On3.
What the class lacks in star power it may make up for in roster fit. Kentucky added at least one transfer at nine of the 10 primary position groups on offense and defense.
Kentucky has until Friday, the last day for students to enroll for the spring semester, to add transfers in time to participate in spring practice, but that appears unlikely with only New Mexico State left tackle Shiyazh Pete, a possible summer enrollee, still on the radar.
Here is what you need to know about the 18 transfers who started classes at UK this week.
Henry Boyer (Illinois)
Position: Tight end
2024 stats: Played in 11 games
How he could help Kentucky: After losing tight ends Jordan Dingle and Khamari Anderson to the portal, Kentucky needed another tight end for depth. At 6-foot-6, 270 pounds, Boyer should provide a physical blocking presence to boost the rotation with Josh Kattus and Willie Rodriguez, but he caught just three passes in 25 games played across three years at Illinois and none last season.
Offensive guard Joshua Braun started every game in the last two seasons for Arkansas, earning second-team All-SEC honors in 2023. Brett Rojo USA TODAY NETWORK
Joshua Braun (Arkansas)
Position: Offensive guard
2024 stats: 12 starts
How he could help Kentucky: Braun started every game he played across the last two seasons at Arkansas, including the last 23 at right guard. The Associated Press named him second-team All-SEC in 2023. UK returns both its starting guards, but Braun is expected to bump one of them to the bench.
As a redshirt freshman, Zach Calzada helped lead Texas A&M to an upset of No. 1 Alabama in 2021. Maria Lysaker USA TODAY NETWORK
Zach Calzada (Incarnate Word)
Position: Quarterback
2024 stats: 347/528, 3,791 yards, 35 TDs, nine interceptions, 105 carries, 332 yards, five TDs
How he could help Kentucky: Cutter Boley will still be given a chance to win the quarterback job, but the expectation is Calzada will start for the Wildcats in his seventh college season. Experience should not be an issue after stops at Texas A&M, Auburn and Incarnate Word. Now he has to prove he can translate his impressive production at the FCS level the last two seasons to the SEC in a different offensive scheme.
After scoring 12 touchdowns for Nebraska last season, Dante Dowdell is likely to provide a physical running back to pair with big-play threat Jamarion Wilcox at Kentucky. Gary A. Vasquez USA TODAY NETWORK
Dante Dowdell (Nebraska)
Position: Running back
2024 stats: 143 carries, 614 yards, 12 touchdowns
How he could help Kentucky: UK’s big win at running back during the winter portal window was keeping big-play threat Jamarion Wilcox, but Dowdell will still serve a featured role. At 6-foot-2, 225 pounds, Dowdell should provide the physical rushing presence that Kentucky thought it was getting in Chip Trayanum a year ago.
Wide receiver Tru Edwards is the son of 1998 Biletnikoff Award winner and former NFL player Troy Edwards. Nelson Chenault USA TODAY NETWORK
Tru Edwards (Louisiana Tech)
Position: Wide receiver
2024 stats: 85 catches, 989 yards, six touchdowns
How he could help Kentucky: UK still is waiting on final word that Edwards will be eligible for a seventh college season in 2025, but assuming the NCAA’s decision to give former junior college players an extra year in the wake of the Diego Pavia court ruling allows Edwards to play, he will be one of Calzada’s top targets. At 6-foot-3, he adds needed size to the receiving room but can play in the slot as well.
Cincinnati native Mi’Quise Grace was named an FCS All-American and MVFC Defensive Player of the Year after a stellar 2024 season at South Dakota. Samantha Laurey USA TODAY NETWORK
Mi’Quise Grace (South Dakota)
Position: Defensive line
2024 stats: 64 tackles, 18.5 tackles for loss, 9.5 sacks, two forced fumbles
How he could help Kentucky: A first-team FCS All-American, the Cincinnati native picked UK despite taking a transfer visit to Georgia. While at 255 pounds, Grace is lighter than UK’s other defensive linemen, Kentucky views him as a fit for the role Josh Paschal thrived in during his college career. If Grace hits, he could be one of the most important additions in the class.
In limited action last season at USC, Sam Greene totaled three tackles for loss and one sack. Joe Nicholson USA TODAY NETWORK
Sam Greene (USC)
Position: Outside linebacker
2024 stats: 15 tackles, three tackles for loss, one sack
How he could help Kentucky: With three years of eligibility left, Greene is more of a developmental piece than most of the transfers in the class. He should provide depth as part of a rotation at outside linebacker in 2024 though.
Former Washington State defensive lineman David Gusta picked Kentucky over SEC rivals Texas A&M and Tennessee in the transfer portal. James Snook USA TODAY NETWORK
David Gusta (Washington State)
Position: Defensive line
2024 stats: 21 tackles, three tackles for loss, one sack
How he could help Kentucky: Gusta arrives as a replacement for outgoing nose guard transfer Keeshawn Silver, but he could play multiple positions on the defensive line. In November, Washington State coach Jake Dickert called Gusta the team’s defensive MVP due to the havoc he caused opponents that didn’t show up in the box score. Kentucky will need that type of impact as he splits reps at nose with Josaih Hayes.
J.J. Hester started six of 12 games for Oklahoma in 2024, averaging 22.5 yards per catch. Bryan Terry USA TODAY NETWORK
J.J. Hester (Oklahoma)
Position: Wide receiver
2024 stats: 15 catches, 328 yards, one touchdown
How he could help Kentucky: Hester missed large chunks of the 2022 and 2023 seasons due to injury but showed the ability to be a deep ball threat in 2024 by averaging 22.5 yards per catch. He tallied three catches of at least 40 yards last season. It is unlikely Hester will be a go-to option in UK’s passing attack, but he will be reunited with former Missouri teammate Ja’Mori Maclin. Offensive coordinator Bush Hamdan and wide receivers coach L’Damian Washington were also on staff at Missouri then.
Kendrick Law averaged 23.8 yards per kickoff return at Alabama last season, just 1 yard less per return than Barion Brown did at Kentucky. Silas Walker Herald-Leader File Photo
How he could help Kentucky: The 5-foot-11, 201-pound Law developed a reputation as an elite blocker at Alabama. That skill will help Kentucky’s rushing attack, but Hamdan will probably also try to get Law the ball in space on some of the jet sweeps and screens designed for Barion Brown last year. Law will also likely replace Brown as UK’s primary kickoff returner.
Kent State transfer Kameron Olds is expected to serve as Kentucky’s top pass rusher in 2025. Nicholas McLaughlin USA TODAY NETWORK
Kameron Olds (Kent State)
Position: Outside linebacker
2024 stats: 42 tackles, seven tackles for loss, six sacks, one interception
How he could help Kentucky: Olds is the favorite to replace J.J. Weaver as Kentucky’s starting Jack linebacker. Kentucky will need the 6-foot-4, 240-pound Virginia native to provide a consistent pass rushing threat. UK hosted other edge rusher transfers for visits, so the staff’s decision to go all in on Olds will be one of the more important to evaluate during the season.
In 23 career games across three injury-plagued seasons at Clemson, Troy Stellato caught 65 passes for 600 yards and two touchdowns. Ken Ruinard USA TODAY NETWORK
Troy Stellato (Clemson)
Position: Wide receiver
2024 stats: 25 catches, 264 yards, one touchdown
How he could help Kentucky: Three of Stellato’s four seasons at Clemson were affected by injuries, but Kentucky will hope he can find better luck in Lexington. When healthy, Stellato was an impact player for the Tigers the last two years. He is unlikely to be a big-play threat, but he could be a valuable possession receiver out of the slot.
Kevis Thomas (Maryland)
Position: Cornerback
2024 stats: 21 tackles, two pass breakups
How he could help Kentucky: Thomas’s production at Maryland does not suggest he is a surefire replacement for possible first-round pick Maxwell Hairston, but Kentucky will need him to at least provide competition for JQ Hardaway, DJ Waller, Terhyon Nichols and Nasir Addison. Kentucky also needs to find a new nickel back, so the addition of Thomas could allow coaches to try another corner at that position.
Wallace Unamba (New Mexico)
Position: Offensive line
2024 stats: 10 starts
How he could help Kentucky: While Unamba started 10 games at right tackle for New Mexico in 2024, he is unlikely to start for UK in 2025. He could still serve a valuable rotation role, though, essentially replacing Dylan Ray as a backup capable of filling in at guard or tackle. Kentucky still has not added a starting left tackle, so Unamba will probably receive reps during spring practice there.
In 25 career games across four seasons at TCU and Marshall, Landyn Watson has totaled 69 tackles and four tackles for loss. Barbara J. Perenic USA TODAY NETWORK
Landyn Watson (Marshall)
Position: Inside linebacker
2024 stats: 65 tackles, four tackles for loss, one interception
How he could help Kentucky: While Alex Afari and Daveren Rayner are expected to start at the two inside linebacker positions next fall, Watson provides a viable third option at a position where injuries usually take a toll. Considering both Afari and Rayner have played outside linebacker too, a strong spring from Watson could at least open the possibility of further shuffling to get the best 11 defenders on the field.
Evan Wibberley (Western Kentucky)
Position: Center
2024 stats: 13 starts
How he could help Kentucky: Wibberley was recruited to replace Eli Cox as Kentucky’s starting center, so the pressure will be high on him to make an immediate impact. The Dixie Heights High School graduate was UK’s top transfer target at the position, so he will present an intriguing test case in the staff’s evaluation ability, especially since UK did not seriously pursue him out of high school.
Wyoming transfer Jaden Williams will look to stand out in a deep defensive line rotation that includes Kahlil Saunders, Josaih Hayes, Mi’Quise Grace, David Gusta and others at Kentucky. Mark J. Rebilas USA TODAY NETWORK
Jaden Williams (Wyoming)
Position: Defensive line
2024 stats: 20 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, 1/2 sack
How he could help Kentucky: Williams will probably compete with returner Kahlil Saunders for a starting spot on UK’s defensive line, but he should feature in the rotation regardless of whether he starts or not. The 6-foot-4, 290-pound California native has two years of eligibility left, so 2025 could serve as a warm-up for an even larger role in 2026.
As a fifth-year senior, Alex Wollschlaeger was named first-team All-MAC at Bowling Green in 2024. He will use his 2020 COVID-19 pandemic waiver to play one more season at Kentucky. Maria Lysaker USA TODAY NETWORK
Alex Wollschlaeger (Bowling Green)
Position: Offensive tackle
2024 stats: 12 starts
How he could help Kentucky: After earning first-team All-MAC honors in 2024, Wollschlaeger will take over a right tackle spot that plagued Kentucky throughout most of last season. The 6-foot-7, 305-pound behemoth allowed just two hits on the quarterback in 835 snaps last season. The competition will increase in the SEC, but Wollschlaeger will be counted on as a steadying force on a rebuilt offensive line.
Jon Hale is the University of Kentucky football beat writer for the Lexington Herald-Leader. He joined the Herald-Leader in 2022 but has covered UK athletics for more than 10 years. Hale was named the 2021 Kentucky Sportswriter of the Year.Support my work with a digital subscription
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