Here’s where Kentucky football still needs help as transfer class takes shape
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Kentucky added nine transfers led by QB Kenny Minchey and center Coleton Price.
- Offensive line remains a priority; staff pursues SEC tackles Tyree Adams and Chaplin.
- Staff seeks receivers, another running back, interior defenders and a punter.
Kentucky football landed arguably its most important transfer addition late Monday with a commitment from former Notre Dame quarterback Kenny Minchey, but the work goes on for new coach Will Stein and his staff to fill out the roster.
As of Wednesday morning, Kentucky had secured commitments from 13 transfers. Of that group, Minchey, former Baylor center Coleton Price, former Purde nose tackle Jamarrion Harkless and former Florida safety Jordan Castell look like certain starters for the 2026 Wildcats. Offensive lineman Olaus Alinen (Alabama), wide receiver Xavier Daisy (UAB), running back Jovantae Barnes (Oklahoma), defensive back Aaron Gates (Florida), cornerback Hasaan Sykes (Western Carolina), defensive lineman Ahmad Breaux (LSU), edge rusher Antonio O’Berry (Gardner Webb), linebacker Tavion Wallace (Arkansas) and offensive guard Max Anderson (Tennessee) could compete for starting jobs as well. Even if they do not usurp returning Wildcats or future transfer additions at their positions, the group should serve as important depth next season.
But what is next for Stein and Kentucky’s staff?
Offensive line remains a position of need even after the additions of Price, Anderson and Alinen. Landing at least one starting tackle is essential. Xavier Chaplin (Auburn) is believed to be Kentucky’s top remaining tackle target. Former LSU tackle Tyree Adams, who UK hosted for a visit, committed to Texas A&M Wednesday morning. Each would bring SEC starting experience to Lexington. Alinen, who committed Wednesday morning, might be an option for a starting tackle spot, but he played both tackle and guard while appearing primarily on special teams at Alabama.
Now that Kentucky has a quarterback in the fold, finding more options for Minchey to throw to will be important. That became even more essential Wednesday when current Wildcat receivers Cam Miller and Hardley Gilmore entered the transfer portal. Now, DJ Miller (13 catches, 175 yards) is the only receiver who caught a pass last season remaining on the roster.
UK did add Daisy, who totaled 18 catches for 177 yards and one touchdown at UAB last season, on Wednesday morning, but he looks like a depth piece rather than a starter. Former Texas wide receiver DeAndre Moore remains the top target after visiting UK, Ohio State, Louisville and Colorado. Former Auburn receiver Malcolm Simmons has also been linked to Kentucky since he entered the portal. Former Texas Rio Grande Valley receiver Tony Diaz, who totaled 881 yards and 11 touchdowns at the FCS level, was in Lexington for a visit Tuesday.
Three different running backs have recorded at least 70 carries for Stein’s Oregon offense this season, so Kentucky fans should expect the Wildcats to use a committee approach at the position next season. Barnes, who totaled 1,281 yards and 12 touchdowns in four seasons at Oklahoma, will fill one of the rotation spots. Jason Patterson could fill another if he returns to UK, but Kentucky needs at least one more running back in the portal. Former Texas running back CJ Baxter, a former five-star recruit whose career has been slowed by injuries, remains in play and is close with Moore.
On defense, Kentucky probably still needs a potential starters at inside linebacker and depth at multiple other positions. The additions of Harkless and Castell Wednesday filled two holes in the projected starting lineup.
Linebacker Isaiah Chisom, who totaled at least 75 tackles in each of the last two seasons at Oregon State and UCLA, is reportedly planning a visit to UK on Wednesday.
Kentucky still needs a punter, too.
Cats add a four-star high school commit
While the current focus is on landing transfers before the spring semester starts, Kentucky’s new staff managed to add some star power to its 2026 high school recruiting class Tuesday.
Four-star Virginia prep safety Andre Clarke committed to UK one day after being released from the scholarship papers he had signed with Michigan in December. Clarke’s decision to decommit from the Wolverines came after Michigan fired coach Sherrone Moore.
Kentucky was actually a finalist for Clarke’s initial commitment when Mark Stoops was still coach, but Clarke cited his relationship with new defensive coordinator Jay Bateman in interviews Tuesday as the reason for his commitment. Bateman recruited Clarke at Texas A&M and is from the same area in Virginia.
Clarke is the third consensus four-star prospect in UK’s high school class and the second to pledge to Kentucky since Stein was hired.
Nasir Addison is returning to Kentucky
Junior cornerback Nasir Addison removed his name from the transfer portal Tuesday, giving the Wildcats another veteran who has started games in the secondary.
Addison has appeared in 24 games across three seasons at Kentucky. His most consistent role was as the gunner on UK’s punt team, but he made two starts at cornerback in 2025 after injuries decimated UK’s depth at the position.
The high point of his UK career came in a November start against Auburn in which he totaled five tackles and helped keep star wide receiver Cam Coleman in check. Addison started the win over Florida, too, then missed the final two games of the season. Stoops said Addison was hurt for at least one of those games but also acknowledged the staff was trying to keep him under four games played to preserve a redshirt season. Now, he has two years of eligibility left at UK and a chance to win a starting job in 2026.
This story was originally published January 7, 2026 at 5:30 AM.