UK football needed transfers to lead the way, but the class has been a mixed bag
For Kentucky football to succeed in 2025, the coaching staff needed to hit on a higher percentage of transfer additions than it did a year ago.
But with so many holes to fill on the roster, that meant Kentucky would need roughly a dozen transfers to contribute regularly. Five games into the season, the class has offered a mixed bag with some big wins but other concerning struggles.
Here is a closer look at how the transfers have fared as Kentucky nears the halfway point of its season.
Exceeding expectations
Evaluating the 2025 transfer class has to start with running back Seth McGowan, one of the last players added to the group.
Even after missing part of the Georgia game with an injury, McGowan ranks fourth in the SEC in rushing yards per game (86.2) and third in rushing touchdowns (seven). McGowan topped the 100-yard mark against Eastern Michigan and South Carolina. He also caught three passes against Georgia.
Arkansas guard Joshua Braun has been key in paving the way for McGowan and the other Kentucky running backs. The former second-team All-SEC selection has helped solidify the interior of UK’s offensive line as the starting left guard, with Jager Burton moving to center.
Wide receiver has been a weak point for the Wildcats, but Alabama transfer Kendrick Law has 10 more catches than any other player on the roster thanks to a concentrated effort to get him the ball on shovel passes and screens. He caught his first touchdown as a Wildcat at Georgia.
Defensive linemen David Gusta and Mi’Quise Humphrey-Grace have been among the most consistent Wildcat defenders. Humphrey-Grace leads the team with four tackles for loss. Gusta’s statistics do not jump off the page, but he has been essential to getting pressure on the quarterback as a disruptor at nose guard.
These transfers are contributing, they but have work to do
Offensive tackles Alex Wollschlaeger and Shiyazh Pete brought plenty of experience to Kentucky but questions about how they would hold up against elite SEC edge rushers on a weekly basis. Those concerns were amplified when Kentucky surrendered six sacks in the loss at South Carolina, but the tackles made some progress against Georgia. Their play will be key to UK’s hopes of finding more offensive balance by adding a competent passing attack.
Running back Dante Dowdell made an excellent first impression with 129 yards rushing in the opener against Toledo but is averaging less than 2 yards per carry the last two games as McGowan’s star has risen. Tight end Henry Boyer has contributed primarily as an extra blocker but did record his first reception at Georgia.
Outside linebacker Sam Greene has 13 tackles but no tackles for loss while starting all five games. Edge rusher Kam Olds has one tackle for loss and inside linebacker Landyn Watson has six total tackles in reserve roles.
Disappointing first impressions for these transfers
Quarterback Zach Calzada lost his starting job after just two games. While an injury to his throwing shoulder certainly made that decision easier for UK coaches, Calzada had struggled even before the injury on his final throw in Week 2. Calzada looked fully available for the first time since his injury at Georgia, but Boley showed enough progress in that game to expect him to retain the starting job moving forward.
Kentucky recruited former Western Kentucky center Evan Wibberley to be the starter at center, but he lost the job to Burton in spring practice. Wibberley has appeared in just one game so far, and Kentucky needs him to continue to develop to not only build needed offensive line depth this year but prevent the staff from having to sign another starting center in the portal after the season.
Maryland transfer Kevis Thomas was not expected to start at cornerback for Kentucky, but as the only defensive back signed from the portal he was needed for depth. With starting cornerback DJ Waller missing the last four games, Thomas has been unable to help alleviate the sting of that loss though and seems to have been passed by freshman Grant Grayton in the pecking order.
Kentucky signed four transfer wide receivers (not including Hardley Gilmore, who played for UK last season but spent the spring at Nebraska before transferring back), but Law is the only one with a catch through five games. JJ Hester and Troy Stellato are listed as co-starters on the depth chart but have not provided the hoped-for impact. A storyline to watch moving forward is whether coaches elect to give the freshmen more snaps instead, especially after Cam Miller impressed in a late cameo at Georgia.
These UK transfers are still waiting to play
The rest of Kentucky’s transfers were viewed as developmental pieces or emergency depth on partial scholarships, so it is not a surprise they have yet to contribute.
Wyoming transfer Jaden Williams is the only player from this group who was expected to fill a rotation spot, but depth has been a strength at his position. He could still be needed as the physical toll of the position surely brings attrition to the group down the stretch.
Outside linebacker Lorenzo Cowan has appeared in two games with his first tackle for loss at Georgia. Blocking tight end Elijah Brown missed the last two games with an injury. Wide receivers Ashton Cozart and offensive linemen Rob Fogler and Cameron Jones have not played in a game.