The bulk of Will Stein’s first Kentucky roster is set. Here’s what you need to know
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Stein rebuilt Kentucky roster in two weeks with more than 30 incoming transfers.
- Staff targeted high-ceiling quarterbacks, flipped Minchey and added depth.
- Offensive line overhaul brought experienced transfers; tight ends remained intact.
Never has the Kentucky football roster changed more dramatically in a short period than in the past two weeks.
New UK coach Will Stein and his staff signed 33 transfers and watched 22 former scholarship Wildcats exit via the transfer portal. Mark Stoops signed a similarly sized transfer class before his final season as coach, but that makeover took place over two different transfer portal windows separated by four months.
With just one two-week window this offseason, Stein had no choice but to dive in headfirst, while also continuing to work as Oregon’s offensive coordinator in the College Football Playoff.
“We were strongly resourced to make sure that we got the right players,” Stein said at a press conference Monday. “We’re still pushing the envelope there, but we have fielded a team I believe can go out there and compete immediately.”
There are a handful of questions remaining for Stein’s first UK roster — uncommitted high school seniors can still sign in February — but with the former spring transfer window abolished, the vast majority of the 2026 roster is now set.
Here’s a position-by-position look at where things stand after a hectic start to the year.
Quarterback
Transfers added: Carson Cruver (6-3, 200, Jr.), JacQai Long (6-2, 205, So.), Kenny Minchey (6-2, 208, Jr.)
Returning players: Brennen Ward (6-4, 222, RFr.)
High school/junior college signees: Matt Ponatoski (6-2, 190 Fr.)
Outgoing transfers: Cutter Boley, Stone Saunders
The biggest question facing Stein when he was hired is how he viewed Boley, the quarterback Stoops so often spoke of building the roster around. Stein made it clear Monday the new staff made an offer to keep Boley, but new offensive coordinator Joe Sloan said even in the event that Boley returned, the staff would need to add at least one quarterback in the portal.
Boley eventually entered the portal, quickly signing with Arizona State. Stein drew national attention when he lured Sam Leavitt, the No. 1-ranked quarterback in the portal according to 247Sports, on the first day transfers were allowed to visit other programs, but when it became apparent Leavitt was likely to sign with a traditional power, Stein pivoted to flip Minchey from his Nebraska commitment.
Minchey fell just short of winning the Notre Dame starting job last season but has received raves for his physical tools. Whether Minchey is more Will Levis or Brock Vandagriff will go a long way in determining the success of Stein’s first season.
“We did our background on him,” Stein said of Minchey. “Everybody we talked to, even guys on that (Notre Dame) staff, felt like they still would have won 10 games with Kenny out there playing quarterback.”
Long will compete with Ward for the backup job. Cruver was added as a preferred walk-on to provide further depth. Ponatoski might ultimately be the most talented quarterback of the bunch, but though Stein said Monday “everything that (Ponatoski) said to me is that he wants to be a big-time college football player,” Kentucky won’t know for sure until July whether he will make it to college due to his status as a projected early round MLB draft pick.
Running back
Transfers added: Jovante Barnes (6-0, 211, Sr.), CJ Baxter (6-1, 227, Jr.)
Returning players: Tovani Mizell (6-0, 217, So.), Jason Patterson (5-10, 209, So.)
High school/junior college signees: Delvecchio Alston (6-0, 210, Fr.)
Outgoing transfers: Dante Dowdell, Jamarion Wilcox
With Seth McGowan out of eligibility and Dowdell transferring to Georgia, Kentucky signed former starters from both sides of the Red River Rivalry. Both Baxter (Texas) and Barnes (Oklahoma) bring immense potential to Lexington accompanied by troublesome injury histories. Stein used a committee approach at running back as Oregon’s offensive coordinator and seems likely to do the same here, with Patterson also factoring in the competition.
Watching what Dowdell, who started his career playing for Stein at Oregon, does at Georgia will be a fascinating subplot to the 2026 season. It felt like Kentucky could have kept Dowdell if it wanted to, but he entered the portal shortly after news broke that Baxter, the No. 1-ranked high school running back in the class of 2023, was visiting UK. If the bad injury luck follows Baxter and Barnes to Kentucky, there could be a chance for Mizell or Alston to earn snaps.
Wide receivers
Transfers added: Nic Anderson (6-4, 208, Sr.), Shane Carr (6-2, 190, Jr.), Brock Coffman (6-0, 180, RFr.), Xavier Daisy (6-3, 210, Jr.), Ja’Kayden Ferguson (6-2, 187, So.)
Returning players: Ashton Cozart (6-3, 197, Jr.), DJ Miller (6-3, 204, So.)
High school/junior college signees: Kenny Darby (6-1, 180, Fr.), Denairius Gray (6-2, 185, Fr.), Prince Jean (6-1, 180, Fr.), Davis McCray (6-2, 191, Fr.)
Outgoing transfers: Preston Bowman, Hardley Gilmore, Cam Miller, Quintin Simmons, Troy Stellato, David Washington
This is the position where Kentucky’s transfer work did not go according to plan. The Wildcats watched most of their top targets at the position sign elsewhere, leaving the new staff to scramble in the final hours before the portal window closed. If Anderson can rediscover the form that saw him tally 798 yards and 10 touchdowns as a redshirt freshman at Oklahoma, no one will remember the transfer losses, but it’s been two injury riddled years since he showed that promise. Carr presents another high-upside option but faces a steep adjustment moving from FCS Southern Utah.
Keeping DJ Miller was an important step for the staff, but losing Gilmore and Cam Miller added more uncertainty to the position. The other transfers are largely unproven, so do not be surprised if multiple freshmen factor in the primary rotation. Darby, the first high school recruit to commit to the new staff, is the most hyped of that group.
Tight ends
Transfers added: None
Returning players: Henry Boyer (6-6, 265, Sr.), Elijah Brown (6-6, 258, Sr.), Willie Rodriguez (6-4, 252, Jr.), Mikkel Skinner (6-4, 231, RFr.)
High school/junior college signees: Lincoln Watkins (6-4, 233, Fr.)
Outgoing transfers: None
One reason to avoid panicking about the wide receiver room is the staff clearly prioritized keeping the tight end room intact and was able to accomplish that goal. Oregon was led in catches by a tight end in 2025, and while Rodriguez might not be the same caliber of player as Kenyon Sadiq, who is widely projected as a first-round pick, he has already shown the ability to be a major factor in the passing game.
Boyer proved to be a valuable blocker in his first season as a Wildcat and even contributed the occasional important catch. Brown missed much of the season due to injury. Skinner, who arrived at UK as a hybrid wide receiver/tight end and Stein compared to Sadiq Monday, could be one of the biggest beneficiaries of the change in offensive system. Do not be surprised if he is a 2026 breakout.
Offensive line
Transfers added: Olaus Alinen (6-6, 322, Jr.), Max Anderson (6-5, 311, So.), Lance Heard (6-6, 330, Sr.), Coleton Price (6-3, 318, Sr.), Mark Robinson (6-5, 320, Jr.), Tegra Tshabola (6-6, 322, Sr.)
Returning players: Jermiel Atkins (6-8, 329, RFr.), Jayden Clark (6-4, 325, RFr.), Jason Ekperuoh (6-6, 335, RFr.), Rob Fogler (6-7, 308, Jr.), Hayes Johnson (6-4, 300, So.), Cameron Jones (6-6, 341, Jr.), Aba Selm (6-4, 323, So.), Malachi Wood (6-8, 328, Jr.)
High school/junior college signees: Jordan Knox (6-2, 325, Jr.), Cameron Miller (6-5, 310, Fr.)
Outgoing transfers: Darrin Strey, Evan Wibberley
There were tense moments in Stein’s quest to replace Kentucky’s entire starting offensive line after multiple tackle targets signed elsewhere, but it’s hard to poke holes in the final group. Heard (left tackle), Price (center) and Tshabola (right guard) all bring multiple years of power-conference starting experience to Lexington. That leaves two starting spots open for competition among the additions and returners.
Wood and Robinson are the top candidates to start at right tackle. Alinen, Selm, Clark and Knox, who started his career at Northwestern before a detour to the junior-college level, are the top options at left guard. Adding three transfers with multiple years of eligibility could be an important step in finally building some continuity on the line. None of the returning Wildcats played regularly in 2025, so depth remains a question.
Defensive line
Transfers added: Ahmad Breaux (6-3, 278, Jr.), Jamarrion Harkless (6-3, 315, Jr.), Tyler Thomas (6-5, 259, Jr.), Dominic Wiseman (6-2, 300, Jr.)
Returning players: Kalen Edwards (6-4, 328, RFr.), Tavion Gadson (6-5, 298, Jr.), Mi’Quise Humphrey-Grace (6-4, 270, Sr.), Brian Robinson (6-5, 265, So.), Nic Smith (6-5, 290, RFr.), Jaden Williams (6-4, 295, Sr.)
High school/junior college signees: Ben Duncum (6-5, 250, Fr.)
Outgoing transfers: Javeon Campbell, Austin Ramsey, Jerod Smith
Gadson and Humphrey-Grace were among the biggest retention wins on the roster for the new staff, but following graduations and transfers from Smith and Ramsey, additions were still needed. Harkness should give Jay Bateman’s defense a space-eating nose guard when needed. Breaux and Wiseman could compete for featured roles after transferring from LSU and South Alabama, respectively.
There should be an opportunity for Edwards and Williams to earn larger roles after flashing promise in 2025. Fans should also remember that Bateman’s scheme will be different from the one Brad White and Stoops used, so linemen classified as defensive ends in the former defense, like Humphrey-Grace, will likely work with assistant coach Tony Washington’s group of edge rushers.
Outside linebackers/defensive ends
Transfers added: Antonio O’Berry (6-6, 240, Sr.)
Returning players: Lorenzo Cowan (6-3, 247, So.), Sam Greene (6-2, 248, Jr.), Cedric Works (6-5, 254, So.)
High school/junior college signees: None
Outgoing transfers: Steven Soles
Soles was Kentucky’s most effective pass rusher last season, so his departure has to be considered a loss. The former staff rarely used him outside of obvious passing situations, though, so it’s unclear how the new staff would have used him. Regardless, there should be enough returning depth to account for the loss, assuming Greene returns from the injury that ended his 2025 season early and Cowan and Works build on impressive debuts.
O’Berry faces a major jump in competition after transferring from FCS Gardner Webb, but that’s the same leap Humphrey-Grace made with great success a year ago. O’Berry totaled 10.5 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks last season. Ohio State also hosted O’Berry for a transfer visit, so Kentucky was not the only school who saw power-conference potential in the 6-foot-6, 240-pound edge rusher.
Note: This roster breakdown lists players by the position they played at Kentucky last season, but with a shift in defensive scheme, UK lists Cowan, O’Berry and Works as defensive linemen.
Inside linebackers
Transfers added: Elijah Barnes (6-1, 244, RFr.), Tavion Wallace (6-1, 239, So.)
Returning players: Grant Godfrey (6-3, 234, Jr.), Quintavion Norman (6-3, 224, So.), Antwan Smith (6-3, 215, Jr.), Kris Thompson (6-0, 215, RFr.)
High school/junior college signees: Justyn Hartley (6-2, 215, Fr.)
Outgoing transfers: Jacob Smith, Landyn Watson
Godfrey did enough while filling in for the injured Alex Afari last season to feel confident he was ready to make the jump to full-time starter in 2026, but the inside linebacker spot next to him looked like one of the biggest holes on the roster heading into the transfer portal window. The staff decided to make a bet on talent over experience to fill it, landing Barnes, one of the top-ranked high school linebackers in the class of 2025, and Wallace, the younger brother of former UK star Trevin Wallace, even though they only played sparingly at Texas and Arkansas as freshmen.
Smith was one of the best athletes on the roster last season, so he could be a candidate to seize a larger role after another offseason of development. It’s difficult to be totally confident about what Kentucky will get out of this position next year because of the inexperience, but if the additions pan out, there should be a strong nucleus for years to come.
Cornerbacks
Transfers added: Hasaan Sykes (6-0, 185, Jr.), Mark Manfred (6-1, 166, RFr.)
Returning players: Nasir Addison (6-0, 204, Jr.), Demarcus Gardner (6-0, 178, RFr.), Grant Grayton (6-3, 205, So.), Terhyon Nichols (5-11, 198, Jr.), Andrew Purcell (5-10, 193, RFr.), Kevis Thomas (6-0, 181, Sr.)
High school/junior college signees: Andre Clarke (6-1, 180, Fr.), Isaiah McMillian (6-1, 175, Fr.), Braxton Urquhart (6-3, 192, Jr.)
Outgoing transfers: DJ Waller
A rash of injuries made cornerback a weakness for stretches of the 2025 season, but that injury crisis at least gave a variety of players experience against SEC competition. Waller was considered UK’s top cornerback entering the season but was rarely healthy in two years as a Wildcat. Nichols is now the top returner, but Addison and Grayton both started games last season too.
Sykes should join the competition for the starting spot opposite Nichols after totalling three interceptions for Western Carolina last season. Thomas also has previous starting experience at Maryland but struggled in limited reps for Kentucky last season. Urquhart, who committed to the previous staff as a junior-college transfer, is another intriguing addition. Purcell is a former four-star recruit who played in two games while redshirting last season.
Safeties/nickel backs
Transfers added: Jesse Anderson (6-0, 185, Jr.), Jordan Castell (6-2, 213, Sr.), Aaron Gates (6-0, 198, Jr.), Cyrus Reyes (6-1, 200, Jr.)
Returning players: Ty Bryant (6-0, 198, Sr.), Martels Carter (6-0, 200, RFr.), Jaden Smith (6-3, 208, So.), Dyllon Williams (6-2, 187, RFr.)
High school/junior college signees: None
Outgoing transfers: Cam Dooley, Quay’sheed Scott
Bryant, who tied for the SEC lead in interceptions last season, was among the first of the returning Wildcats to sign on for the Stein era. Establishing leadership will be key in Stein’s offseason program building, and Bryant should lead that charge on a roster with so many new players. The losses of Dooley and Scott, who both started games for UK last season, stings, but the new staff was at least able to find experienced replacements.
Castell started 34 games across the past three seasons at Florida with 168 tackles and 13 pass breakups. Gates, who could compete with Smith for the top nickel back spot at Kentucky, started five games for the Gators in 2024 but was limited to four games in 2025 due to an injury. Anderson and Reyes were primary special teams contributors at Pitt and Mississippi State but should compete with Carter and Williams for spots in the rotation.
Specialists
Transfers added: Tom O’Hara (6-1, 197, Jr.), Cole Marszalek (5-11, 205, Jr.), Spencer Radnoti (6-3, 230, So.), Adam Zouagui (5-11, 188, Sr.)
Returning players: Wilson Berry (6-4, 214, Sr.), Jacob Kauwe (6-1, 212, So.)
High school/junior college signees: None
Outgoing transfers: David LaGanga
Berry, who has already spent five seasons at Kentucky, was a surprise inclusion on the updated roster released by UK Monday. His return means there was at least a punter on the roster entering the portal window, but UK still added O’Hara from Murray State as the likely starter at that position. Marszalek and Radnoti give UK two long snapper options, and Zouagui should provide depth at kicker.
Keeping Kauwe, who converted 13 of 17 field goals as a redshirt freshman, might not get as much attention as the staff’s ability to retain key contributors on offense and defense, but it is important for 2026. Stoops frequently said he was confident using Kauwe up to 60 yards. That will be a nice security blanket for a new coach.