A lot of evaluation and deliberation has been going on when it comes to the transfer portal during the dead period but I didn't come across anything that I believed was worthy of delving into very seriously. We did mention that UK decided it didn't need to pursue Clemson safety transfer Joseph Charleston. They've looked at receivers and lots of other players
Throughout this process there have been a lot of moving parts in terms of who might come back for another year, and that is directly related to the portal activity that could happen since we're usually talking about guys with one or two years of eligibility remaining.
As you saw in the bowl game the offensive line is going to need some help for next year.
Kentucky's in a good shape on the interior of the line. Quintin Wilson can play center. He played guard in the bowl game but could play either next year. Eli Cox is also a guard/center guy. Jager Burton could be a contributor next year. Tashawn Manning transferring in from Auburn is someone who is probably going to play a lot. Between those four players that would be the majority of the snaps spread across the three interior spots. That doesn't seem to be much of a concern.
Rutgers offensive lineman Brendan Bordner was always a long shot to be a take for Kentucky and I was a bit surprised they brought him in. I don't think he's someone they could have realistically put at tackle in the SEC. He's going to FAU but I understand exhausting every option if you have visits left to spare going up toward the end.
If you ask people about Dare Rosenthal you're going to get different opinions. I think there is probably some real desire to go if that is an option. The question is how bad the desire is going to be if he gets the kind of feedback that some are expecting him to. Nobody has told me what grade or round feedback Rosenthal would need to get in order to leave but this is obviously one of the biggest situations facing Kentucky. Other than Wan'Dale it's as big as it gets and is a huge key to unlocking the offense for next season.
If Rosenthal does not return then they'd better do the portal well between now and next season.
Horsey battled at left tackle against Iowa and he was banged up at one point. Not sure that's a great barometer of how he could fare at right tackle next year. Different task and he would have a lot more experience from practice, scrimmages, etc., if he does make the move. That's an option but I think they'd also be thrilled if they didn't have to move him inside, if Rosenthal returned and/or they added someone else from the portal.
Deondre Buford is the guy who I heard the most about this year when it comes to the future at offensive tackle. They were excited about him when he signed. Didn't hear much for a while. But sounds like he's really turning a corner behind the scenes and could have his breakout opportunity next season.
Back to Wan'Dale momentarily, but it sure sounds like he's going to be gone. Travis has asked around a lot about this. There has obviously been a ton of desire for him to return. If he were to return he would have a huge amount of NIL money. Very possibly the biggest deal in the country. But when you're talking about someone's dream and everything under consideration it's just very likely he's gone. No shock here.
For me, that means they do need to bring in another receiver for next year. I like what DeMarcus Harris could possibly bring to the table. The question is whether he's a 2 or a 3. I think several Kentucky receivers are in that boat. Chris Lewis, Chauncey Magwood, Dekel Crowdus; you'd have to assume Barion or Key, maybe even Anthony or White, could impress enough in camp to have a role. I'm looking at the roster of receivers right now and think Tayvion is going to have a really good year. He's not replacing all of Wan'Dale's production but they can showcase him better than VT did. Throw in how they'll use the tight ends and backs, and Levis will have options.
The real question for me is going to be how things shake out in the secondary where you have a number of players who have been rumored to be thinking about next year as super seniors in particular but also the portal. I believe it's safe to say Geiger will be back as a core piece as I mentioned the other day. The bowl had to be encouraging there. I thought Ajian rebounded from the Tennessee game enough that he's someone you could bring back and expect to be a solid player.
Cedrick Dort - Decision to make
Ty Ajian - Decision to make
Zah Frazier - Incoming instant impact but how much?
Max Hairston - Back with team for bowl - readiness?
Andru Phillips - Readiness after an unexpectedly crazy year
There's a lot of uncertainty back there right now but that could just be on the outside looking in. The longer it goes on without them bringing in someone from the portal the more it will make me believe they feel pretty good about that situation.
Throughout this process there have been a lot of moving parts in terms of who might come back for another year, and that is directly related to the portal activity that could happen since we're usually talking about guys with one or two years of eligibility remaining.
As you saw in the bowl game the offensive line is going to need some help for next year.
Kentucky's in a good shape on the interior of the line. Quintin Wilson can play center. He played guard in the bowl game but could play either next year. Eli Cox is also a guard/center guy. Jager Burton could be a contributor next year. Tashawn Manning transferring in from Auburn is someone who is probably going to play a lot. Between those four players that would be the majority of the snaps spread across the three interior spots. That doesn't seem to be much of a concern.
Rutgers offensive lineman Brendan Bordner was always a long shot to be a take for Kentucky and I was a bit surprised they brought him in. I don't think he's someone they could have realistically put at tackle in the SEC. He's going to FAU but I understand exhausting every option if you have visits left to spare going up toward the end.
If you ask people about Dare Rosenthal you're going to get different opinions. I think there is probably some real desire to go if that is an option. The question is how bad the desire is going to be if he gets the kind of feedback that some are expecting him to. Nobody has told me what grade or round feedback Rosenthal would need to get in order to leave but this is obviously one of the biggest situations facing Kentucky. Other than Wan'Dale it's as big as it gets and is a huge key to unlocking the offense for next season.
If Rosenthal does not return then they'd better do the portal well between now and next season.
Horsey battled at left tackle against Iowa and he was banged up at one point. Not sure that's a great barometer of how he could fare at right tackle next year. Different task and he would have a lot more experience from practice, scrimmages, etc., if he does make the move. That's an option but I think they'd also be thrilled if they didn't have to move him inside, if Rosenthal returned and/or they added someone else from the portal.
Deondre Buford is the guy who I heard the most about this year when it comes to the future at offensive tackle. They were excited about him when he signed. Didn't hear much for a while. But sounds like he's really turning a corner behind the scenes and could have his breakout opportunity next season.
Back to Wan'Dale momentarily, but it sure sounds like he's going to be gone. Travis has asked around a lot about this. There has obviously been a ton of desire for him to return. If he were to return he would have a huge amount of NIL money. Very possibly the biggest deal in the country. But when you're talking about someone's dream and everything under consideration it's just very likely he's gone. No shock here.
For me, that means they do need to bring in another receiver for next year. I like what DeMarcus Harris could possibly bring to the table. The question is whether he's a 2 or a 3. I think several Kentucky receivers are in that boat. Chris Lewis, Chauncey Magwood, Dekel Crowdus; you'd have to assume Barion or Key, maybe even Anthony or White, could impress enough in camp to have a role. I'm looking at the roster of receivers right now and think Tayvion is going to have a really good year. He's not replacing all of Wan'Dale's production but they can showcase him better than VT did. Throw in how they'll use the tight ends and backs, and Levis will have options.
The real question for me is going to be how things shake out in the secondary where you have a number of players who have been rumored to be thinking about next year as super seniors in particular but also the portal. I believe it's safe to say Geiger will be back as a core piece as I mentioned the other day. The bowl had to be encouraging there. I thought Ajian rebounded from the Tennessee game enough that he's someone you could bring back and expect to be a solid player.
Cedrick Dort - Decision to make
Ty Ajian - Decision to make
Zah Frazier - Incoming instant impact but how much?
Max Hairston - Back with team for bowl - readiness?
Andru Phillips - Readiness after an unexpectedly crazy year
There's a lot of uncertainty back there right now but that could just be on the outside looking in. The longer it goes on without them bringing in someone from the portal the more it will make me believe they feel pretty good about that situation.
