Did a little research on how talented this roster 1 thru 14 really is.

Start with seniors then all the way to the frosh.
Oweh- Obviously our returning leading scorer from last year at 16.2 ppg along with 2nd team all-SEC honors. We havent seen this happen very often in the last 20 or so years. In high school he was a 4 star recruit ranked #73 by ESPN and #91 by 247. As a transfer he was ranked a 4 star, graded as a 95, overall 31st and sf 5th. That was last year before he lead us in scoring and hit a couple game winners.

Aberdeen- 6th man on the national title winning team. In high school he was a 3 star recruit ranked outside the top 100 graded at a 89. As a transfer he was ranked a 4 star, graded as a 95, overall 54th and cg 6th.

Garrison- Already has a year in the new system and a solid player last season for us. In high school he was a 5 star recruit ranked #30 by rivals and #45 by 247 mcdonalds AA. As a transfer he was ranked a 4 star, graded as a 96, overall 20th and c 5th.

Lowe- Lead Pitt in scoring, assists and steals along with all-ACC honors. In high school he was a 4 star recruit ranked #66 by ESPN and #92 by 247, graded as a 92. As a transfer he was ranked a 4 star, graded as a 95, overall 36th and pg 10th.

Mo- Glue guy do a little of everything on a top 10 team all year last year. In high school he was a 4 star recruit ranked #78 by rivals and #104 by 247. As a transfer he was ranked a 4 star, graded as a 94, overall 61st and sf 11th.

Potter- Has gotten plenty of experience at Miami, OH the last couple seasons but will likely redshirt. In high school he was a 3 star ranked #332 by 247, graded as a 89.

Chandler- Solid bench player last year was much better towards the end of the year. In high school he was a 4 star recruit ranked #33 by 247, graded as a 97 and was cg 6th.

Noah- Solid contributer for us last season. In high school he was a 3 star recruit ranked #120 by 247, graded as a 89.

JQ- Big time potential with him. In high school he was a 5 star recruit ranked #7 by on3 and #9 by 247, graded as a 98. As a transfer he was ranked a 5 star, graded as a 98, overall 10th and c 1st.

Kam- Another player with big potential. In high school he was a 3 star recruit ranked outside the top 100, graded as a 87. As a transfer he was ranked a 4 star, graded as a 95, overall 42nd and sf 6th.

JJ- Should be a force from day one. In high school he was a 5 star recruit ranked #24 by 247 and #21 by rivals, graded as a 96.

MM- Another guy who has loads of upside. In high school he was a 5 star recruit ranked #25 by on3 and #27 by 247, graded as a 95.

Hawthorne- Shot up the rankings quickly. In high school he was a 4 star recruit ranked #33 by 247, graded as a 95.

Jelavic- International player with lots of upside and two years of playing European pro ball. Doesnt rank but generally considered a top 10 international prospect.

Well, the season ended last night in the worst way possible, so I am going to channel my depression into looking into next year. Transfer portal apparently opened today so we might see some big changes happen somewhat quickly. Regardless, here is how things look for 2026 as we sit right now. Please note that I am not going to include incoming freshmen on the list at this time because we might need to wait and see what happens with the draft to be sure they'll be on campus. However, I may mention them in the write-ups.

C: Nolan Belcher
1B: James McCoy / Hudson Brown / Dylan Koontz
2B: Luke Lawrence
SS: Tyler Bell
3B: Kyuss Gargett / Aidan Larkin / Ethan Hindle
RF: Ryan Schwartz
CF: Carson Hansen / Griffin Cameron / Will Marcy
LF: Khaleel Pratt

**Note: If scratched out, these players have entered the transfer portal**

By all reports, Schwartz will stay in the outfield. So, UK will need a lot of help there with Belcher in the portal. Owen Jenkins is a recruit from KY (Lex Cath) that UK landed and is a top 50 prospect. His draft decision could have an impact on thie catcher position and what happens with Schwartz. Jase Mitchell is out of Deleware and is a top 400 prospect at catcher and could provide some depth. I don't think he'd necessarily be in line to start, but crazier things have happened. Regardless, UK will need to add someone to the team from the portal to fit in here to at least compete for the starting spot.

As we can see, there are two big holes to fill. Personally, I think Hansen strikes me a little less as a centerfielder and a bit more as a left fielder. He can play any outfield spot, but I just don't think he's a true CF. So, UK could look to get an upgrade at CF and slide Hansen to left. Cameron is a speedy guy with solid defense, but hitting .232 this year doesn't leave a lot of room for comfort in him sliding into a starting spot. However, Cameron is really just in his first full year this season, so we could see that average tick up as he gets more experience. Regardless, CF could be a priority in the transfer portal. Braxton Van Cleave is another prep prospect that could be coming to campus in 2025/2026 and he's ranked as high as 63rd overall. He's 6'3 205, so he is a pretty good sized kid already. He could slide into any OF position. Again, a portion of this problem will depend on the catcher position. Will UK move Schwartz back or keep him in OF? Will Jenkins make it to campus or head to the pros? Then you have whether or not Van Cleave (who is out of Texas btw) makes it to campus.

I think third base is the remaining question mark. There is some depth there, but Larkin redshirted and is unproven and might not slot to be a 3B. Gargett hit .266 this year, but he's not really a power guy. So, does UK want to find more power in this position or are they good with having a bit more speed with a guy like Gargett who has a solid glove? Gargett could take a step forward in the hitting department now that he's gained more experience. Hindle mostly was at DH this season as I recall but came in as a SS/3B prospect. He had 3 homers this year, but hit just .224. Still, he might give that good balance of HR power and speed (11 for 11 on stolen bags). Not sure how the glove projects, but he's an option. Caeden Cloud could make it to campus as a 6'0 190 pound HS senior he is ranked 131 or so overall. Cloud is move of a SS apparentyl, but with Bell being at SS, Cloud might need to move over to 3B to see time in 2026. UK could also upgrade here through the transfer portal.

Starters:
Friday: Jaxon Jelkin
Saturday: Ethan Walker
Sunday: Ben Cleaver

By all accounts, Jelkin was slated to be the ace this season before injury so if he recovers well enough he might slide into that Friday slot, or UK could try to go Left, Right, Left and have him go Saturday. Either way, I think these are the three that we see. Nate Harris is also a candidate here. If he doesn't get into this role then I imagine UK will try to use him as a 1-2 punch where someone like Jelkin will go 5 or 6 and Harris will then pitch out the rest of the game, which will save the bullpen arms. They did this setup quite a bit in the past. They could also have Harris pitching the midweek, but I think he's a bit too valuable at this point for that. Instead, the midweek could fall to a number of candidates, one of them being incoming freshman Conor Essenberg. Essenberg is a top 100 prospect and a two way player who can play 1B or OF as well as being a lefty pitcher. Still, it seems like he projects a bit more at pitcher than at the plate (I could be wrong there though). If he makes it to campus, I imagine that he won't really be a redshirt candidate and that UK will want to use him, so a midweek starter role to begin the year could be the spot.

I think relief pitchers is where we will see the most turnover both incoming and outgoing. UK has a tendency to like older pitchers out of the bullpen and to be a bit selective on who they use as young guys. So, I think UK might try to upgrade here and find some new faces that will be able to come in immediately and contribute and with that happening it will inevitably push others out. Here is the list of returning possible relievers:

Hayden Smith - Will be a RS Jr. Pitched 10.1 innings. Could see his use increase if he takes some steps forward in the off season.
Adam Hachman - Will be a RS So. He was at Arky in 2024 where he redshirted. This year he did not pitch for UK and I am assuming it was due to injury. Was a top 55 prospect in 2023 and the 8th best lefty in the class. I imagine if he is healthy and sticks around that he'll get a good bit of use in 2026.
Tommy Skelding - RS So next year and will get a lot of use. Had 19+ innings pitched this year, and we could see that go up a good bit as he progresses.
Chase Alderman - RS Jr (I think) that spent 2 years at EKU. Had a UCL injury in 2024 at EKU and he redshirted, but he also didn't play this year. Not sure if he hasn't recovered or what. Might be a transfer candidate.
Cameron Owens - Redshirted this year. Not sure I see a roster spot for him in 2026.
Oliver Boone - Transfer from Cal but redshirted 2025 due to injury. Had a really strong freshman year. He's a west coast guy, so could see him moving on, but there is some potential there if he stays.
Logan Grubb - Sophomore. He pitched just two times this season so I think he can maybe call it a redshirt year. Had 2 walks and 3 strikeouts in 1.1 innings of scoreless work. Playing as a freshy is a bit deal.
Zak Spurrier - Just 4 appearances for Spurrier this year, so also might be a RS freshman or a true sophomore. Struggled in his appearances with the worst ERA on the team, but that happens to freshmen.
Bradley Ferrell - Another freshman that had limited time this season with 1 appearance. Just 1 inning of work and a 9.00 ERA. Top 200 prospect.
Leighton Harris - Sophomore. Most used true freshman this past year with 12.1 innings pitched. Solid performance with just a 3.65 ERA. Look for him to be really sore after next year and how often he'll be used.
Tristan Hunter - My understanding is that he's already jumped into the transfer portal. Pitched in 9 games this past year, a top 220 prospect a year ago.
Nile Adcock - Senior. Will be leaned on heavily if he can lower the batting average against (.351). Kid has great control with 6 walks and 24 Ks, but that average against is just nasty high.

Transfers IN:
Burkley Bounds - Had a strong freshman year at EKU and is transferring in to UK. 6'2 righty from Lexington pitched 41 innings with 2 starts and had a 4.17 ERA striking out 39 and walking 14.
Kaden Echeman - 6'0 190 pound grad transfer in 2026, pitched for NKU this past season. Threw 56 innings striking out 87 and walking walking 23 and carrying a 4.34 ERA. Elite strikeout numbers has Echeman as a solid MLB prospect, so we might not see him as a Cat next year.

If there is anything or anyone I have missed, please let me know and we can adjust and add on throughout the process of the off season.

He's just so oblivious to what is going on. I just wish he would retire and we would get an athletic director in there that would have a set!

I mean he's a 6' 10 21 yr old with basically two yrs of professional experience. Given the minutes what do you think we can reasonably expect from him? Realize he's listed as more of a stretch 4, but if JQ is not quite ready at the start.. could he possibly play some 5? I'm not really a big fan of BG.

Stoops breakdowns are well documented. But Mingione wow , position player who has modest stuff to pitch in an elimination game? Watching a freshman walk in runs late in the game ???
When the cameras showed Mingione face during the meltdown, he had the same lost look Stoops has. But Mingione just like Stoops was making excuses in the off season talking about this is a rebuild year. There are NO rebuild years in the SEC in the NIL era !

I’m sure someone will be along to tell me how great making post season 3 straight years is. And how I should be happy.

During an interview with The Field of 68, new Louisville signee Sananda Fru said that he was told by a teammate in Germany that Cardinal fans are the “best in the world.” That teammate? Former Kentucky forward Tre Mitchell.

"I think they have a great fan base,” Fru said. “My teammate, he played at Kentucky last year, he told me ‘Louisville, like, they’ve got the best fans in the whole world, basically.’ They’ve already reached out and sent me some DMs. I’m super thankful, super happy, and I can’t wait to get over and touch down in Louisville.”

URL is below to read the article.

Oweh, Aberdeen will be out of eligibility

And JQ will leave regardless, he will be first round pick no matter how well he plays next season

---------------

So how many other guys will stay...

Not sure if Garrison will stay even if he is not good enough for NBA next year because people he is "two year deal" for us. Also, it is possible year 2 Moreno will be better than Garrison.

If Jasper will make progress and be OAD player...

Kentucky colors initially were not blue and white, but blue and yellowish-white until the blue and white scheme was formally adopted in 1892.

Why have we not had a team use a jersey combo for any program that acknowledges this? The time is now.

has a nice ring to it, doncha think?

Knicks job just opened up. Everyone speculated last year that Hurley really wanted the Knicks job and that was his eventual move and now the job is open. Would be funny.

This event isn't what it used to be, but I still keep up with it. Not only are they in small gyms now, but Indiana is wearing blue? Bizarro World.

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Ownership has started dismantling the '21 team, and I'm OK with the Barnhart/Miley moves but sure would be nice if they could get something for them. They need to do whatever it takes to keep Nick C but looks like he's gone too. Saw on mlb.com list of 17 top FAs available and prediction where they'll sign...not a one with the Reds. 2022 not looking promising.

Have heard that Kentucky hosted eight uncommitted official visitors this weekend with committed OL Jarvis Strickland as the ninth.

To my knowledge none committed over the weekend and in fact one person told me that none had committed at this point, i.e. after the visits had wrapped up. Doesn't mean they aren't in better or the best shape with some of them but I haven't heard of any silents waiting to announce.

We knew the following players were OV'ing: WR Justin Williams, WR Davis McCray, OT Cameron Miller, OG/OT Charlie Edgeworth, RB Amante Martin, and CB Jamyan Theodore. If our information is correct then we will probably be mentioning a couple more guys who visited whenever that news comes out.

McCray has confirmed that he did make the trip and I know the offensive linemen made it.

I don't necessarily believe UK's coaches are getting close yet to getting the first commitment in their 2026 class. But they have already given out a bunch of 2026 scholarship offers (see below), and we are getting into the early part of a time frame when the first 2026 commitment could happen. In any case, there are a lot of legitimate 2026 prospects for us to discuss on a new thread.

Here is a list of 2026 prospects known based on public information to have received UK offers. This is surely not a complete list. It is way too early to know where any of these players will end up. Just starting the conversation here.

Zakir Abdul-Salaam, LB, Powder Springs, GA
Tre Aiken, OL, Clinton, SC
Carsyn Baker, RB, Fairburn, GA
Adam Balogoum-Ali, LB, N Palm Beach, FL
Brandon Bennett, WR, Ft Lauderdale, FL
Kamari Blair, DL, Clarksville, TN
Javar Bowden, ATH, Panama City, FL
Jabari Brady, ATH, Hollywood, FL
Jaydin Broadnax, DB, Boca Raton, FL
Cam Brooks, LB, Thomasville, GA
Ace Brown, ATH, Akron, OH
Bryshawn Brown, QB, Cincinnati, OH
Davion Brown, WR, Richmond, VA
Daniel Burns, OL, Montgomery, AL
Naeem Burroughs, ATH, Jacksonville, FL
Simeon Caldwell, DB, Jacksonville, FL
Chancellor Campbell, OL, St Petersburg, FL
Khalief Canty, OL, Detroit, MI
Devin Carter, WR, Ellenwood, GA
Jordan Carter, LB, Douglasville, GA
Kasiyah Charleton, OL, Brunswick, GA
Jakobe Clapper, LB, Cincinnati, OH
Andre Clarke, DB, Richmond, VA
Amari Clemons, RB, Marianna, FL
Vodney Cleveland, DL, Prattville, AL
William Conroy, OL, Cleveland, OH
Payton Cook, WR, Akron, OH
Jordan Crutchfield, DB, Ft Pierce, FL
J'Zavien Currence, LB, Rock Hill, SC
Markel Dabney, ATH, Richmond, VA
Marquez Daniel, ATH, Tuskegee, AL
Kentrell Davis, WR, Birmingham, AL
Titan Davis, LB, St Louis, MO
Scottland Dover, OL, Gaffney, SC
Jorden Edmonds, DB, Marietta, GA
Jireh Edwards, DB, Baltimore, MD
Zion Elee, LB, Poppa, MD
Justice Fitzpatrick, ATH, Ft Lauderdale, FL
Duyon Forkpa, LB, Hoschton, GA
Deuce Geralds, DL, Suwanee, GA
Kamdon Gillespie, DL, Mooresville, NC
Darius Gray, OL, Richmond, VA
Desmond Green, OL, St Stephen, SC
Aaron Gregory, WR, Douglasville, GA
Xavier Griffin, ATH, Gainesville, GA
Zach Groves, LB, Cross Plains, TN
Adam Guthrie, OL, Washington CH, OH
Kaiden Hall, DB, Milton, FL
Sam Hamilton, TE, Cincinnati, OH
Eli Hamrick, QB, Ashville, NC
Marlon Harbin, ATH, Louisville, KY
Kaden Harris, DB, Brownsville, TN
Keenan Harris, DB, St Louis, MO
Kendre Harrison, TE, Reidsville, NC
George Haseotas, OL, Naples, FL
Calerbe Hermane, ATH, Ft Lauderdale, FL
Allen Hill, WR, Youngstown, OH
Elbert Hill, DB, Akron, OH
Devyon Hill-Lomax, WR, Edwardsville, IL
Savion Hiter, RB, Mineral, VA
Elijah Hutchinson, OL, Roanoke, VA
Michael Ionata, OL, Clearwater, FL
Brody Jennings, DB, Jacksonville, FL
Anthony Jones, LB, Mobile, AL
Ja'Michael Jones, RB, Pike Road, AL
Cincere Johnson, LB, Cleveland, OH
Sean Johnson DB, Severn, MD
Chauncey Kennon, DB, Sarasota, FL
Heze Kent, TE, Brunswick, GA
Tyreek King, ATH, Knoxville, TN
Breck Kolojay, OL, Bradenton, FL
Robert Lathon, RB, Columbus, OH
Amari Latimer, ATH, Tyrone, GA
Zion Legree, ATH, Pensacola, FL
Ronald Lunz, ATH, Ratcliff, KY
Justin Lyles, DB, Cincinnati, OH
Javian Mallory, RB, Baton Rouge, LA
Samari Matthews, ATH, Cornelius, NC
Dylan McCoy, RB, Buford, GA
Iverson McCoy, ATH, Tupelo, MS
JaReylan McCoy, DL, Tupelo, MS
Nassir McCoy, DB, Buford, GA
Cooper McCutchan, TE, Cincinnati, OH
Jesiyah Miguel, DB, FT Lauderdale, FL
Storm Miller, LB, Strongsville, OH
Landen Miree, ATH, Cincinnati, OH
Malik Morris, LB, Lakeland, FL
James Morrow, LB, Buford, GA
Ryan Mosley, WR, Carrollton, GA
Chris Newell, ATH, Cleveland, OH
Daniel Norman, LB, Ft Lauderdale, FL
Cam O'Hara, QB, Union, KY
Javian Osborne, RB, Forney, TX
Gabriel Osenda, OL, Chattanooga, TN
Zantreacs Otey, DB, Murfreesboro, TN
Jamar Owens, DB, Jonesboro, GA
Andre Parker, ATH, Cincinnati, OH
Milan Parris, WR, Stow, OH
Gregory Patrick, OL, Portage, MI
David Pellman, OL, Louisville, KY
Bryce Perry-Wright, ATH, Buford, GA
Eli Pietrowski, ATH, Corbin, KY
Kaiden Prothro, LB, Bowdon, GA
Dawson Quarterman, WR, Ft Lauderdale, FL
Cortez Redding, DB, Jonesboro, GA
Maxwell Riley, OL, Avon Lake, OH
Bryce Robinson, LB, Marietta, GA
Donel Robinson, OL, Lexington, MS
Jarius Rodgers, LB, Orange Park, FL
Hakim Satterwhite, DB, Washington, DC
Keeyshawn Schneider, WR, Chattanooga, TN
JB Shabazz, OL, Winston Salem, NC
CJ Sibley, DB, Buford, GA
Derrick Singletary, LB, Middletown, OH
Victor Singleton, DB, Toledo, OH
Chaston Smith, DB, Knoxville, TN
Javonte Smith, WR, Jackson, TN
Micah Smith, OL, Vero Beach, FL
KD Smith, ATH, Charlotte, NC
Carson Sneed, ATH, Nashville, TN
Dylan Steen, OL, Ft Lauderdale, FL
Jarvis Strickland, OL, Paducah, KY
Jardon Stringer, ATH, Lagrange, GA
Aaryn Tate, ATH, McLeansville, NC
Malachi Taylor ATH, Pickerington, OH
Cam Thomas, ATH, W Chester, OH
Camron Thompson, OL, Savannah, GA
Xavier Tiller, ATH, Fairburn, GA
Craig Tutt, DB, Murfreesboro, TN
Jordan Vann, ATH, Middletown, OH
Marcello Vitti, ATH, Dearborn, MI
Jeff Ward, WR, Cleveland, OH
Joel Wyatt, WR, Bell Buckle, TN
Jontavius Wyman, ATH, Jonesboro, GA

Probably the biggest question human beings have ever asked …