Kentucky followed a disappointing 4-8 season by losing a number of starters and very talented players through the transfer portal. In fact, the Cats had 23 players head out of Lexington. As a result, Mark Stoops and the Wildcat coaching staff had to go to what’s become the norm these days. That, of course, is rebuilding through the portal. Let’s take you through the newcomers who are new on offense at Kentucky.<\/p>\n
Following the season ending loss to Louisville <\/a>Stoops and offensive coordinator Bush Hamdan stated\u00a0Cutter Boley<\/a> was the starting quarterback heading into 2025. However, the position overall needed some bodies.<\/p>\n Brock Vandagriff<\/a> made the surprising decision to retire from football. In addition, Gavin Wimsatt<\/a> transferred to Jacksonville State. That left Boley as the only experienced player, who’s only four games.<\/p>\n The Cats needed someone with experience and they found him in Zack Calzada. The well-traveled signal caller ranks as the 18th-best quarterback <\/a>in the portal. Kentucky’s his third stop in the SEC during his college career.<\/a> Calzada originally signed with Texas A&M way back in 2019. During the 2021 season, Calzada started 10 games. His biggest win came in a win over Alabama.<\/p>\n He transferred to Auburn in 2022. Howeve,r he had shoulder surgery and never played for the Tigers. The next year he was on the move again, this time moving to FCS Incarnate Word. That’s the same school that produced Cam Ward<\/a>.<\/p>\n 2024 was a banner season for Calzada. Named Southland Conference Player Of The Year he threw for 3,751 yards, 35 touchdowns, and nine interceptions. His yards and touchdowns ranked fifth and second respectively in FCS. He’ll have every opportunity to gain the starting role at Kentucky.<\/p>\n As we continue looking at who’s new on offense at Kentucky let’s move to the backfield.<\/p>\n The Wildcats lost\u00a0their second-leading rusher,\u00a0Demie Sumo-Karngbaye,<\/a>\u00a0to graduation. In addition,\u00a0Chip Trayanum\u00a0<\/a>surprised many by transferring to Toledo. As a result, Kentucky needed another back. They found their man in\u00a0Dante Dowdell<\/a>. The 6-foot-2, 225-pound Dowdell originally signed with Oregon coming<\/span>\u00a0out of high school in Mississippi.<\/p>\n He appeared in six games during his freshman year in Eugene rushing for 90 yards and a score. Dowdell transferred to Nebraska for 2024 putting up good numbers. He led the team with 614 yards and scored 12 touchdowns. That number put him fourth in the Big Ten. He should compliment\u00a0Jamarion Wilcox<\/a> well.<\/p>\n Let’s move to the wide receivers as we continue with Who’s New On Offense for Kentucky.<\/p>\n If there’s one position that’s had more turnover than the others it’s been wide receiver. Barion Brown<\/a> transferred to LSU. Dane Key<\/a> and\u00a0Hardley Gilmore IV<\/a> both left Kentucky for Nebraska. Anthony Brown-Stephens will be playing for former Wildcat assistant Jon Sumrall at Tulane. Lastly Brandon White is now at Hawaii.<\/p>\n With all those players leaving new wide receivers coach L’Damian Washington needed players quickly. Topping the list is Louisiana Tech’s Tru Edwards<\/a>. The seventh year player spent the last three seasons playing for the Bulldogs. In 2024 Edwards led Conference USA with 84 receptions and was second with 986 receiving yards. Fun note, he’s the son of 1998 Biletnikoff Award winner Troy Edwards<\/a>.<\/p>\n In addition to Edwards Kentucky picked up three more receivers. Kendrick Law<\/a> comes to Lexington from Alabama. In three seasons with the Crimson Tide, he hauled in 33 passes for 314 yards and once score.<\/p>\n Another newcomer to the Cats’ receiver room is Clemson’s Troy Stellato<\/a>. During his time with the Tigers Stellato caught 65 passes for 600 yards and two touchdowns. He missed part of last season due to injury and saw his playing time decline. Oklahoma’s JJ Hester<\/a> is the final addition. The 6-4, 202-pound Hester caught 14 passes for 315 yards and a touchdown.<\/p>\n UK added one tight end to the roster in Henry Boyer from Illinois. Boyer caught three passes in three years with the Illini.<\/p>\n Only one position left as we look at who’s new on offense for Kentucky.<\/p>\n Going back to 2021 Kentucky’s offensive line was a finalist for the Joe Moore Award as the nation’s best. Since then it’s been a struggle up front protecting the quarterback. The Cats brought in three new players hoping for better luck in 2025.<\/p>\nImpressive Addition<\/h3>\n
Almost Entirely New Room<\/h3>\n
Rebuilding The Wall<\/h3>\n