ADVERTISEMENT

Discussion about possible inbound transfer candidates

As discussed above, Ben Christman is transferring from OH St to UK. As a hs senior coming out of Richfield, OH, Christman reportedly held offers from five SEC and seven B10 schools as well as ND. Christman was heavily recruited and specifics of his offer sheet were very strong. Vince Marrow recruited Christman when he was in hs, and that link has undoubtedly paved the way for Christman's transfer to UK. IMO the reason for Christman's interest in relocating to UK is clear. He has made a decision that this move will help his college football career. As we know, good players sometimes get lost in the intense competition at highly ranked Power 5 programs.

Christman is projected to help UK on the right side of the OL, at RG or RT. At this juncture, IMO it is pointless to speculate whether Christman is a candidate to start in September. On paper, any scholarship player is a candidate to start, but prior experience and familiarity with the system are usually prerequisites (not always). Christman's role will get worked out in practice in August, but quality depth on the right side of UK's OL just got much better.

Christman has a reputation for being a mauler with a mean streak. His run blocking is considered superior to his pass blocking at this point, but he has significant upside. He signed in OH St's 2021 class, and simple math suggests he probably has three years of eligibility left assuming he has used his RS option. That will need to be confirmed. In any case, the multiple remaining years of eligibility make Christman very attractive to a UK program that will lose multiple senior OL starters following the 2023 season. So this is an important development for Zach Yenser and Liam Coen.

Reportedly, Coach Stoops has four more open scholarships that can be used to accept inbound transfers this spring. It is known that Stoops is still looking for an inside LB, a CB, and a tall outside receiver.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: JASUN74, ukalum1988 and catben
BigBlueManSouthCentralKY said:
IF he does indeed play like they say then he sounds kind of like a Dotson type.
Click to expand...

You never know, of course, but Christman should have significantly more upside than Dotson had. And I was a fan of Austin, who could really make pancakes.

Him and Bingham are an interesting future for our two guard positions.
Click to expand...

Yes, definitely. Austin Ramsey, as well. I am looking forward to seeing how Selm and Johnson develop.

Will Ramsey be OG or OT?
Click to expand...

OG
 
JHB4UK said:
I could see 2024 Courtland Ford starting g LT & Christmas starting RT
Click to expand...
That is a possibility, but Nik Hall is probably also in play as long as he gets healthy. I also wouldn't rule out the possibility that Stoops might take another OT transfer between now and next spring. In any case, it will be a competition.
 
  • Like
Reactions: JASUN74
kyleb740 said:
After watching Ford’s play in the bowl game vs Tulane I’d be surprised if he was ever moved to LT. I think that’s Hall’s spot to lose next year.
Click to expand...
Uh, what about the big transfer out of the MAC school. Isn't he sort of slated to one Tackle spot?
 
tickled to death how they’ve addressed the biggest team weakness (oline). Still have 4 more scholarships available as of today. Hoping they can sign up a few more for depth purposes.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Rembrandt90 and The-Hack
Would really like to see a solid ILB transfer to add depth to that room. The starters are good, but they need someone other than Martez Thrower providing depth there.

I’m glad Fulton is there to provide extra depth especially for special teams, but he hasn’t played meaningful steps on defense the last 2 seasons.

Plus, maybe incoming FR Jayvant Brown can get some snaps here or there. No idea about his strength, but at 6’1 220lbs, heat least has the size already to play some.
 
JHB4UK said:
Rhode Island CB Antonio Carter who is visiting this weekend picked up more high P5 offers recently. A very hot prospect, hopefully our early interest and proven success with secondary transfers wins out.
Click to expand...
Damn, scratch him from the list. Carter ditches UK and not visiting us, after picking up interest from LSU, Notre Dame, Florida.
 
Two new inbound transfer additions today.

Dylan Ray, OL (WV)
Daveren Rayner, LB (N IL)

Both players are originally from the state of IN.

Ray is reportedly 6'5" 293#. He was not previously reported to be on UK's radar so we don't know much about him yet. After a solid career at Noblesville hs, he evidently went to WV as a PWO because he weighed only 260# at the time. In 2021, he redshirted and bulked up. It is possible that Neal Brown may have put him on scholarship in 2022, which sometimes happens with PWOs, but I have not seen that addressed yet. But we know he got into games and played as a backup last year. We don't know for sure yet whether he is walking on at UK or whether Coach Stoops offered him a scholarship. Either way, he is an OG with good size and who will immediately add quality depth. For Coach Yenser, the attraction seems to be that Ray is a late bloomer and a hard worker with some B12 playing experience who has added over 30# of muscle in the last two years. With three seasons of eligibility left, there is plenty of time for more development.

Rayner was formerly a N IL teammate of new Wildcat LT Marques Cox. Rayner was a 185# S at Lawrence Central hs in Indy before committing to N IL over Appalachian St. Since then, he has bulked up. Rayner has been on UK's radar for several weeks, although we still don't know very much about him. Various reports have indicated height from 6'1" to 6'3" and weight from 200# to 220#. He has a reputation as a sure tackler, but I don't know whether he played inside or outside at N IL. In any case, he appears to have been recruited by UK primarily as a backup Will LB to understudy Trevin Wallace and compete with Martez Thrower.
 
  • Like
Reactions: catben
Rayner sacked Levis last Sept!

After Spring we all said they needed help at O line, linebacker, corner. Got it at 1st 2. Still need secondary addition.
 
Rembrandt90 said:
Two new inbound transfer additions today.

Dylan Ray, OL (WV)
Daveren Rayner, LB (N IL)

Both players are originally from the state of IN.

Ray is reportedly 6'5" 293#. He was not previously reported to be on UK's radar so we don't know much about him yet. After a solid career at Noblesville hs, he evidently went to WV as a PWO because he weighed only 260# at the time. In 2021, he redshirted and bulked up. It is possible that Neal Brown may have put him on scholarship in 2022, which sometimes happens with PWOs, but I have not seen that addressed yet. But we know he got into games and played as a backup last year. We don't know for sure yet whether he is walking on at UK or whether Coach Stoops offered him a scholarship. Either way, he is an OG with good size and who will immediately add quality depth. For Coach Yenser, the attraction seems to be that Ray is a late bloomer and a hard worker with some B12 playing experience who has added over 30# of muscle in the last two years. With three seasons of eligibility left, there is plenty of time for more development.

Rayner was formerly a N IL teammate of new Wildcat LT Marques Cox. Rayner was a 185# S at Lawrence Central hs in Indy before committing to N IL over Appalachian St. Since then, he has bulked up. Rayner has been on UK's radar for several weeks, although we still don't know very much about him. Various reports have indicated height from 6'1" to 6'3" and weight from 200# to 220#. He has a reputation as a sure tackler, but I don't know whether he played inside or outside at N IL. In any case, he appears to have been recruited by UK primarily as a backup Will LB to understudy Trevin Wallace and compete with Martez Thrower.
Click to expand...
I took it that Ray will be a WO. Not sure though. One article said that Rayner will be backing up Wallace and competing with Thrower.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: JASUN74
BigBlueManSouthCentralKY said:
I took it that Ray will be a WO. Not sure though. One article said that Rayner will be backing up Wallace and competing with Thrower.
Click to expand...

Considering Thrower was listed as the backup at both ILB positions, it may be that he can slide over to be the primary backup to Jackson at MLB with Raymer the primary backup to Wallace at WLB
 
BigBlueManSouthCentralKY said:
I took it that Ray will be a WO. Not sure though. One article said that Rayner will be backing up Wallace and competing with Thrower.
Click to expand...
Pending the outcome of practice competition, it makes sense that Rayner would compete with Thrower to understudy Wallace. Rayner has a reputation as a sure, hardnosed tackler. But he isn't stout enough to be an SEC Mike, and he doesn't have the necessary length to play on the edge in the SEC. When I read between the lines into what Stoops and White have said, I infer they are disappointed in Thrower's lack of development. Thrower came here as a "highly rated" prospect. Despite being coached by Jon Sunrall and Mike Stoops, two strong position coaches, Thrower hasn't gotten onto the field much. If Wallace were to go down with an injury, that would hurt the defense. Rayner can be the solution.

The attraction of taking Dylan Ray is that he has three more years of eligibility and an SEC body. He weighed 260# when he graduated from Noblesville hs. Now he is more than 30# heavier, which suggests he has either eaten a lot of sausage pizzas or else worked his butt off in WV's gym. If it was pizzas, we would not be taking him. What little info I could find on him suggests he is a great kid and a hard worker. I haven't seen anything yet from UK that confirms he is a WO. We know that he went to WV as a 2021 PWO. To get him to UK, Stoops either had to offer him a 2023 scholarship or else impress him with a likelihood that he can go on scholarship perhaps in 2024. It doesn't make sense that the player is coming here to remain a WO indefinitely. I am more interested in the possible impact. I don't see how he can come in here and beat out Grant Bingham, Paul Rodriguez, and Tanner Bowles. So I don't see him getting on the field in 2023 except maybe on special teams. But with offensive linemen going in and out of here like Bloomingdales shoppers on black Friday, adding another guy who can work hard and develop into a decent OG seems like good insurance.
 
  • Like
Reactions: JASUN74
Read that Ray's dad, John, played OL at WVU in early 90's, then had 3 years of trying to get a pro career in full gear before retirement due to injury. Played at 6-8 350 or larger, depending on who you trust. Does not appear to be THE John Ray's grandson.
 
southindycat said:
Read that Ray's dad, John, played OL at WVU in early 90's, then had 3 years of trying to get a pro career in full gear before retirement due to injury. Played at 6-8 350 or larger, depending on who you trust. Does not appear to be THE John Ray's grandson.
Click to expand...
Interesting background info. I wonder if someone might think Dylan is still growing. I'm not talking about development in the gym, but rather growth of his frame. If his Dad is 6"8", maybe Dylan can add an inch or two like Thiero. That could make him a more interesting offensive lineman.
 
Today Stoops added Alex Raynor, a transfer placekicker from GA Southern. Raynor's stats are freely available online, and are pretty good. Let's put this way. He would be an improvement over Ruffolo. He successfully kicked 76% of his FG attempts over a 3 year period (90% in 2022), which suggests he has one more season of eligibility left unless he also has a COVID season in his pocket. In more than 100 career PAT attempts, he only missed three. I have not been able to find whether Raynor is being given a scholarship, but I doubt that since it is unknown whether he can even win the placekicking job here. OTOH, I doubt he would come unless he either has an opportunity to go on scholarship during a COVID season in 2024 or else strongly believes he will beat out Chance Poore in 2023. In any case, there is a new placekicker in town.
 
  • Like
Reactions: CatPatrick13
Rembrandt90 said:
Pending the outcome of practice competition, it makes sense that Rayner would compete with Thrower to understudy Wallace. Rayner has a reputation as a sure, hardnosed tackler. But he isn't stout enough to be an SEC Mike, and he doesn't have the necessary length to play on the edge in the SEC. When I read between the lines into what Stoops and White have said, I infer they are disappointed in Thrower's lack of development. Thrower came here as a "highly rated" prospect. Despite being coached by Jon Sunrall and Mike Stoops, two strong position coaches, Thrower hasn't gotten onto the field much. If Wallace were to go down with an injury, that would hurt the defense. Rayner can be the solution.

The attraction of taking Dylan Ray is that he has three more years of eligibility and an SEC body. He weighed 260# when he graduated from Noblesville hs. Now he is more than 30# heavier, which suggests he has either eaten a lot of sausage pizzas or else worked his butt off in WV's gym. If it was pizzas, we would not be taking him. What little info I could find on him suggests he is a great kid and a hard worker. I haven't seen anything yet from UK that confirms he is a WO. We know that he went to WV as a 2021 PWO. To get him to UK, Stoops either had to offer him a 2023 scholarship or else impress him with a likelihood that he can go on scholarship perhaps in 2024. It doesn't make sense that the player is coming here to remain a WO indefinitely. I am more interested in the possible impact. I don't see how he can come in here and beat out Grant Bingham, Paul Rodriguez, and Tanner Bowles. So I don't see him getting on the field in 2023 except maybe on special teams. But with offensive linemen going in and out of here like Bloomingdales shoppers on black Friday, adding another guy who can work hard and develop into a decent OG seems like good insurance.
Click to expand...
If another good LB is available I wouldn't be surprised if we took another one. I know I would feel better with another experienced and proven one. Two injuries at LB could very well happen so having three guys ready to go if that does happen is something we need to be prepared for. It will be interesting to see if Brown will be good enough to at least play some spot minutes. He is a guy that is said to be able to play sideline to sideline.
 
Rembrandt90 said:
Today Stoops added Alex Raynor, a transfer placekicker from GA Southern. Raynor's stats are freely available online, and are pretty good. Let's put this way. He would be an improvement over Ruffolo. He successfully kicked 76% of his FG attempts over a 3 year period (90% in 2022), which suggests he has one more season of eligibility left unless he also has a COVID season in his pocket. In more than 100 career PAT attempts, he only missed three. I have not been able to find whether Raynor is being given a scholarship, but I doubt that since it is unknown whether he can even win the placekicking job here. OTOH, I doubt he would come unless he either has an opportunity to go on scholarship during a COVID season in 2024 or else strongly believes he will beat out Chance Poore in 2023. In any case, there is a new placekicker in town.
Click to expand...
So is Jackson Smith just not ready yet or is he about to transfer?
 
catben said:
So is Jackson Smith just not ready yet or is he about to transfer?
Click to expand...
Who knows? I do know that Chance Poore handled all of the placekicking duties in spring practice. So either Smith is a punter now, or else he isn't providing viable competition for Poore.
 
  • Like
Reactions: catben
Two more new acquisitions for UK through the transfer portal today.

Demie Sumo-Karngbaye, RB (NC St)
Kevin Larkins, DB (Livingstone Col)

Sumo-Karngbaye has at least 2 more years of eligibility left. Larkins appears to have 3 seasons left.

For a moment, when I first heard Kevin Larkins had transferred to UK, I thought maybe we were getting Ben Affleck's character from Argo.

Sumo-Karngbaye knows Devin Leary from their days together at NC St. At a minimum, Sumo-Karngbaye provides quality depth in 2024 after Davis, Jefferson, and McClain have graduated. Larkins is similar to his former Livingston College teammate Jordan Robinson in that both are long, athletic DBs who who need to acclimate to the speed and physicality of the SEC game.

I have not yet seen anything that specifically addresses whether both players are immediately going on scholarship at UK, but I assume they are. If so, I think Coach Stoops may still have 2 open scholarships left.
 
Rembrandt90 said:
Two more new acquisitions for UK through the transfer portal today.

Demie Sumo-Karngbaye, RB (NC St)
Kevin Larkins, DB (Livingstone Col)

Sumo-Karngbaye has at least 2 more years of eligibility left. Larkins appears to have 3 seasons left.

For a moment, when I first heard Kevin Larkins had transferred to UK, I thought maybe we were getting Ben Affleck's character from Argo.

Sumo-Karngbaye knows Devin Leary from their days together at NC St. At a minimum, Sumo-Karngbaye provides quality depth in 2024 after Davis, Jefferson, and McClain have graduated. Larkins is similar to his former Livingston College teammate Jordan Robinson in that both are long, athletic DBs who who need to acclimate to the speed and physicality of the SEC game.

I have not yet seen anything that specifically addresses whether both players are immediately going on scholarship at UK, but I assume they are. If so, I think Coach Stoops may still have 2 open scholarships left.
Click to expand...
Was stated elsewhere that both are on scholarship and that UK's allotment is now full.
 
mrschwump said:
Was stated elsewhere that both are on scholarship and that UK's allotment is now full.
Click to expand...
Interesting. I expected both would get scholarships. If I am counting correctly, if we are full now, that means Raynor must have received a scholarship as well.
 
Last edited:
Three things stick out to me about Karngbaye. First is his ability to break tackles at a high rate. He was second in the league gaining yards after the first hit before his injury. Second is how good he is catching and running with the ball. And third his coach said that his instincts are something you just can't teach.

Larkins tape made me think of a QB on defense. Playing free safety, he had eight interceptions and maybe 40 tackles? He looks like a high IQ DB that not only covers well deep but also supports the run well.

Would have liked getting another LB and maybe another WR.
 
  • Like
Reactions: delk4three, THE_OAK, Rembrandt90 and 1 other person
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

R

State of our football program in Nov 2024

Replies
31
Views
3K
Wildcat Lair - Football Forum
mrschwump
M
R

May Day transfer portal observations

Replies
15
Views
3K
Wildcat Lair - Football Forum
Rembrandt90
R
R

Football roster math review and recruiting update

Replies
49
Views
7K
Wildcat Lair - Football Forum
Rembrandt90
R
R

At 2022 season's midpoint, selected issues to examine

Replies
52
Views
3K
Wildcat Lair - Football Forum
Rembrandt90
R
JRowland

FB Recruiting THE WAR ROOM! ... Temperature Check

Replies
57
Views
6K
The House of Blue
trevor315
trevor315
ADVERTISEMENT

Latest posts

ADVERTISEMENT
Top Bottom
Back