A position-by-position look at UK football’s roster after final transfer additions
Mark Stoops’ offseason overhaul of the Kentucky football roster appears finished.
Most of the turnover came in December with the addition of 20 transfers, but Stoops and his staff did some tweaking around the edges of the roster in the spring transfer portal window. After spring practice concluded there were seven departures and seven additions, bringing Kentucky to 85 projected scholarship players for the fall, right at the SEC’s scholarship limit.
Where do the newest Wildcats fit and who made moves in spring practice that could position them for larger roles in the fall? Here is a position-by-position look at the roster after the spring portal window.
QUARTERBACK
Projected starter: Zach Calzada (6-4, 230, Sr.).
Backups of note: Cutter Boley (6-5, 214, RFr.), Beau Allen (6-2, 223, Sr.).
Other scholarship players: Brennen Ward (6-4, 213, Fr.), Stone Saunders (6-1, 210, Fr.).
Calzada, the transfer from Incarnate Word who previously played at Texas A&M and Auburn, was uncomfortable answering questions about his expectations for playing time during spring practice, but it is clear UK recruited him to be the starter in his seventh season of college football. Reports about his arm strength were positive in spring practice, but usually came with a caution that accuracy and timing with his new teammates needed to improve.
While it would be a surprise to see anyone other than Calzada starting the opener, the pressure on Kentucky to return to a bowl this season means the staff will have to be open to playing Boley if he makes a big jump over the offseason. He remains the future at the position and probably has a higher ceiling even in 2025 than Calzada. Allen deciding to remain on the roster as a walk-on is important for depth, allowing the two freshmen to redshirt.
RUNNING BACK
Projected starter: Dante Dowdell (6-2, 227, Jr.).
Backups of note: Seth McGowan (6-1, 220, Sr.), Jason Patterson (5-10, 206, RFr.), Jamarion Wilcox (5-10, 197, So.).
Other scholarship players: Tovani Mizell (6-0, 223, RFr.).
It wouldn’t be a surprise to see any of the first four players on this list start the opener, but the prediction here is Dowdell gets the nod after rushing for 614 yards and 12 touchdowns at Nebraska last season. Patterson received first-team reps in spring practice, and the staff targeted McGowan, who totaled 1,100 all-purpose yards and six touchdowns at New Mexico State last season, as a priority addition in the spring transfer portal market.
The X-factor at the position remains Wilcox, who was the offense’s best big-play threat last season but struggled to earn consistent snaps because he had not mastered the playbook. Wilcox was a clear third in the pecking order during spring practice but has to have a role in an offense that needs explosive playmakers. Mizell is an unknown quantity as he works his way back to 100% from a knee injury suffered during his senior year of high school.
WIDE RECEIVER
Projected starters: Ja’Mori Maclin (5-11, 190, Sr.), Kendrick Law (5-11, 203, Sr.), Hardley Gilmore (6-1, 165, So.).
Backups of note: Fred Farrier (6-1, 182, Sr.), J.J. Hester (6-5, 201, SSr.), DJ Miller (6-3, 197, Fr.), Troy Stellato (6-1, 178, Sr.), David Washington (5-11, 204, So.).
Other scholarship players: Preston Bowman (5-11, 210, Fr.), Ashton Cozart (6-3, 195, So.), Cameron Miller (5-11, 175, Fr.), Montavin Quisenberry (5-10, 165, Fr.), Quintin Simmons (6-1, 170, Fr.).
No position is a better representation of the roster overhaul than wide receiver where Dane Key and Barion Brown have transferred after three years of promise and inconsistency at UK. Keeping Maclin, who shone down the stretch in 2024, was important for the stability of the unit. He should be Calzada’s top target, but Law, a transfer from Alabama, also impressed during spring practice.
Beyond those two receivers, there are no certainties. Gilmore could be the most talented receiver on the roster but spent the spring semester at Nebraska and has at least one off-field question to answer in the form of a misdemeanor assault charge. Hester, Stellato and Cozart were also added through the transfer portal with varying levels of success at their previous schools. Farrier is a steady veteran presence, and Washington showed signs of promise during spring practice.
There is room for at least one freshman to contribute early snaps. DJ Miller looks like the leading candidate for that role after a strong debut following his enrollment in January. Quisenberry, the 2024 Mr. Kentucky Football, will need to prove his size is not a limitation at the top level of college football.
TIGHT END
Projected starters: Josh Kattus (6-4, 248, Sr.), Willie Rodriguez (6-4, 251, So.).
Backups of note: Henry Boyer (6-6, 265, Jr.).
Other scholarship players: Elijah Brown (6-6, 250, Jr.), Mikkel Skinner (6-4, 225, Fr.).
Expect to see plenty of formations with multiple tight ends on the field in an effort to help the offensive line block and provide other receiving options. Kattus and Rodriguez should be important parts of the passing attack, especially with so many questions at wide receiver. Boyer will be needed as a blocking specialist after transferring from Illinois.
Brown could serve a similar blocking role as a spring transfer who made previous stops at Alabama, FAU and UCF. Skinner is a wild card as one of the top recruits in the 2025 high school class but is more of a flex receiver than true tight end at this point in his career.
OFFENSIVE LINE
Projected starters: LT Shiyazh Pete (6-8, 321, Sr.), LG Joshua Braun (6-6, 342, Sr.), C Jager Burton (6-4, 322, Sr.), RG Jalen Farmer (6-5, 314, Jr.), RT Alex Wollschlaeger (6-7, 310, Sr.).
Backups of note: Cameron Jones (6-6, 330, So.), Aba Selm (6-4, 303, RFr.), Evan Wibberley (6-5, 301, Jr.), Malachi Wood (6-8, 326, So.).
Other scholarship players: Jermiel Atkins (6-8, 305, Fr.), Bryan Auguste (6-4, 291, Fr.), Jayden Clark (6-4, 300, Fr.), Jason Ekperuoh (6-6, 360, Fr.), Rob Fogler (6-7, 304, So.), Hayes Johnson (6-4, 301, RFr.), Darrin Strey (6-7, 305, Fr.).
Kentucky has lost eight offensive linemen to the transfer portal and three others to graduation since the end of last season, necessitating the addition of six transfers and four high school signees. Considering the struggles of the unit in 2024, that turnover has generally been viewed as a positive, but questions remain. Transfers Pete, Braun, Wollschlaeger and Wibberley were recruited with the intention of starting, and the first three appear to have already locked down their jobs.
The biggest surprise of spring practice might have been the move of Burton from guard back to center, where he struggled in a part-time role in 2023. The reviews were positive though, and he enters the summer atop the depth chart at the position. His ability to retain that job might depend on whether Wibberley makes strides in the weight room this summer to better prepare for the physical toll of playing in the SEC.
Depth is a concern after another wave of outgoing transfers in April, including December transfer addition Wallace Unamba. The two spring portal additions on the line — Jones and Fogler — barely played at Group of Five schools last season and should not be counted on as surefire contributors in 2025.
DEFENSIVE LINE
Projected starters: David Gusta (6-3, 316, Sr.), Mi’Quise Humphrey-Grace (6-4, 265, Jr.), Kahlil Saunders (6-5, 297, Sr.).
Backups of note: Tavion Gadson (6-5, 307, So.), Josaih Hayes (6-3, 328, SSr.), Jaden Williams (6-4, 291, Jr.), Jerod Smith (6-4, 275, RFr.).
Other scholarship players: Javeon Campbell (6-5, 270, Fr.), Kalen Edwards (6-3, 320, Fr.), Austin Ramsey (6-4, 311, So.), Brian Robinson (6-5, 261, RFr.), Nicholas Smith (6-5, 290, Fr.).
Perhaps the deepest position on the roster, defensive line has a nice blend of impact transfer additions and returning experience. Gusta and Humphrey-Grace might end up as the two best transfers added to the roster this winter, and while Williams might not open the season as a starter he too is expected to play a key role in the rotation. Equally important will be contributions from players like Saunders and Hayes, who already know what it takes to succeed in the SEC.
For Kentucky to exceed expectations as a team in 2025, it will need multiple players from its highly touted 2024 high school class to make a big step forward. Smith might be the best candidate to make that jump on defense. There should be enough veteran depth at this position to let the freshmen ease into action while redshirting.
OUTSIDE LINEBACKER
Projected starters: Kam Olds (6-4, 252, Sr.), Steven Soles (6-2, 225, So.).
Backups of note: Sam Greene (6-2, 248, So.), Lorenzo Cowan (6-3, 247, RFr.).
Other scholarship players: Jacob Smith (6-4, 240, So.), Cedric Works (6-5, 235, Fr.).
Defensive coordinator Brad White acknowledged during spring practice that Kentucky’s edge rushers might be the biggest question on the team with no proven quantity at the SEC level on the roster. Olds is expected to be the top option at “Jack” linebacker after totaling six sacks for Kent State last season. Soles is the most experienced returner with just five tackles as a freshman.
Kentucky will hope the addition of Southern Cal transfers Greene and Cowan can provide depth with the potential to develop into impact players. Smith’s status is uncertain after missing spring practice with a leg injury. As one of the most-hyped 2025 high school signees, Works could carve out an early role as a pass-rushing specialist on third down.
INSIDE LINEBACKER
Projected starters: Alex Afari (6-2, 222, Sr.), Daveren Rayner (6-2, 217, Sr.).
Backups of note: Grant Godfrey (6-3, 225, So.), Landyn Watson (6-1, 245, Sr.).
Other scholarship players: Quintavion Norman (6-3, 210, RFr.), Antwan Smith (6-3, 205, So.), Devin Smith (6-0, 221, RFr.).
This seemed like a position that could use at least one more addition in the spring transfer window, but Kentucky coaches have apparently decided to move forward with the options already on campus. Afari and Rayner have plenty of experience in this defense but are on the lighter side for an inside linebacker. How they hold up to the physical toll of the position will be an important storyline to watch this fall.
Depth will be needed, so the development of Godfrey, a former four-star recruit, will be particularly important. There were formations during the spring practices open to media where he was on the field with Afari and Rayner. Watson, a transfer from Marshall, is the biggest of the linebackers and will surely be needed against power run teams.
DEFENSIVE BACKS
Projected starters: S Ty Bryant (6-0, 197, Jr.), S Jordan Lovett (6-2, 205, Sr.), CB JQ Hardaway (6-3, 191, Sr.), CB DJ Waller (6-3, 200, Jr.).
Backups of note: Nasir Addison (6-0, 199, Jr.), Martels Carter (6-0, 194, Fr.), Cam Dooley (6-2, 203, So.), Jantzen Dunn (6-0, 185, Sr.), Terhyon Nichols (5-11, 195, So.), Quay’Sheed Scott (6-0, 192, So.), Kevis Thomas (6-0, 181, Jr.).
Other scholarship players: Demarcus Gardner (6-0, 172, Fr.), Grant Grayton (6-3, 185, Fr.), Andrew Purcell (5-10, 185, Fr.), Jaden Smith (6-3, 206, RFr.), Dyllon Williams (6-2, 182, Fr.).
Safety was the only position on offense or defense where Kentucky did not add a transfer this offseason despite inconsistent play from returning starters Bryant and Lovett. That decision is a vote of confidence in the veteran duo but also an acknowledgment that Carter and Dooley will be expected to play significant snaps. Carter is the early favorite to have the biggest role of UK’s freshmen.
Kentucky did add Thomas as a transfer from Maryland at cornerback but will also largely rely on returning players at that position. Waller and Nichols received more snaps than expected last fall due to Maxwell Hairston’s injury. They did not appear ready for that opportunity, but fans can hope the experience will help moving forward. Stoops and his staff have a proven track record of developing defensive backs into NFL draft picks. They need to continue that success for this group to not be a concern.
SPECIALISTS
Projected starters: K Jacob Kauwe (6-1, 208, RFr.), P Aidan Laros (6-2, 212, Sr.).
Backups of note: None.
Other scholarship players: None.
Stoops has not been shy about hyping Kauwe as a special teams weapon due to his leg strength, but he must still prove his consistency. It took longer than expected for Laros to take over the punting job last year, but he improved as the season progressed and should be one of the better punters in the SEC in 2025. There were no other kickers or punters on the roster during spring practice, so Kentucky will need to allocate at least a couple of the 20 available walk-on spots to depth behind Kauwe and Laros.
This story was originally published May 15, 2025 at 6:00 AM.