Welcome back to our ongoing look at Will Stein’s first Kentucky football squad. A huge thanks to everyone who’s checked out our previous installments. We began with the quarterbacks and the new signal caller, Kenny Minchey. That was followed by a new look running backs and receivers rooms. Finally, we checked out the totally rebuilt Big Blue Wall. Today, we are finishing the offense by looking at the tight ends. In a change from almost every other position on the offense, this one has several returnees. Let’s introduce you to who’s who with our 2026 Kentucky Spring Preview: Tight Ends.
One Group That’s Stayed Intact
A Breakout Season?
A season ago, Willie Rodriguez finished third on the team with 23 receptions. In addition, he had 310 yards and a touchdown. That made him the first Kentucky tight end to get more than 300 yards since C.J. Conrad back in 2018. Getting Rodriguez to return for 2026 was one of Stein’s top priorities once he was successful in. The 6′-4″, 244-pounder has the size to become a force in the SEC. For anyone who watched Oregon over the last few years, you know the tight end position was a major key.
Last season, Kenyon Sadiq hauled in 51 catches for 560 yards and eight touchdowns. As a result, he was a second-team All-American. Sadiq lined up at numerous spots on the field last year, and he wants to use Rodriguez in a similar role in 2026. As we mentioned, he could be a breakout player for the Wildcats.
In addition to Rodriguez, the Cats have a couple of more players who could take that next step. Let’s meet them as we continue with our 2026 Kentucky Spring Preview: Tight Ends
Adding Important Depth
Henry Boyer appeared in all 12 games last year after transferring from Illinois. He caught five passes for 62 yards in 2025 and was instrumental as a run blocker. Elijah Brown originally signed with Alabama coming out of high school and was the 10th-best tight end in the 2022 class. After one year in Tuscaloosa, he transferred to Florida Atlantic, then Central Florida, and finally Kentucky. He missed last season due to injury, but the coaching staff sees him as an important cog in the offense, especially as a run blocker.
Star In The Making?
Mikkel Skinner was one of the jewels of Kentucky’s 2025 class. Hailing from South Carolina, Skinner was the 16th-best tight end in the country and sixth best player in the Palmetto State. He played running back and wide receiver on offense, and linebacker and defensive back on defense. He played in four games last season but did not record a catch while keeping his redshirt. Stein has compared Skinner to Sadiq, which, of course, is high praise. The coaching and philosophy change should help him a great deal.
Let’s wrap up our 2026 Kentucky Spring Preview: Tight Ends with a look at an incoming freshman.
Pushing For Playing Time
Kentucky only has 13 recruits currently in its 2026 class. However, the staff feels it’s quality over quantity. One of the incoming players is Lincoln Watkins. Hailing from Port Huron, Michigan, Watkins ranks as the 13th-best player in Michigan and 36th-best tight end in the country. He held offers from Auburn, Arizona State, and Florida, among others, before choosing the Cats.
During his senior season, he caught 47 passes for 809 yards, ran for another 185, and threw for 215. He finished with 1,212 all-purpose yards and 17 touchdowns. If that wasn’t enough, he recorded 55 tackles, had two interceptions, and two forced fumbles on defense. He’s a player the staff thinks can do big things in Lexington.
Final Thoughts
For years, the Big Blue Nation would hear how the offense would put more focus on the tight ends, only to never see it come to fruition. However, under Stein and new offensive coordinator Joe Sloan, they say it’s a priority, and they have the players to make it happen. Look for a big year from Rodriguez and a breakout year from Skinner. A strong tight end group helps alleviate some of the concerns with the wide receivers.
Thanks for checking out our 2026 Kentucky Spring Preview: Tight Ends here at Last Word On College Football. Next time, we flip to the defense.
Main Image: Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
