UK Football Player Carousel Guide

The “coaching carousel” has been a fixture of college football for years. But with the new transfer rules, the player carousel has become even harder to follow than its predecessor. 

To help make sense of the incoming and outgoing players, Just the Cats has put together our very own player carousel database. 

LEAVING PLAYERS 

Josh Ali (WR)- Graduation 

Marquez Bembry (OLB)- Transfer 

Jared Casey (LB)- Transfer [Indiana] 

Yusuf Corker (S)- NFL Draft 

Torrance Davis (RB)- Transfer 

Cedrick Dort (CB)- Transfer [Wisconsin] 

Moses Douglass (S)- Transfer [Kent State] 

Isaiah Epps (WR)- Transfer [Tulsa] 

Luke Fortner (OL)- Graduation 

Isaiah Gibson (DL)- Transfer [Marshall] 

Darian Kinnard (OT)- NFL Draft 

Marquan McCall (DT)- NFL Draft 

K.D. McDaniel (OLB)- Transfer [UCF] 

Tre’Von Morgan (WR)- Transfer 

Quandre Mosely (CB)- Graduation 

Josh Paschal (DE)- NFL Draft 

Jake Pope (OL)- Transfer 

Justin Rigg (TE)- Graduation 

Devonte Robinson (S)- Graduation 

Wan’Dale Robinson (WR)- NFL Draft 

Dare Rosenthal (OL)- NFL Draft 

Nik Scalzo (QB)- Transfer [Samford] 

Travis Tisdale (RB)- Transfer [Valdosta St] 

Naasir Watkins (OT)- Transfer 

Kentucky is losing a total of 24 players this offseason. Some like Wan’Dale Robinson, Darrian Kinnard and Josh Paschal will be nearly impossible to replace. But Coach Stoops has done an excellent job reloading this roster. 

 

INCOMING TRANSFERS

Javon Baker (WR)- Alabama

• Baker received limited reps at Alabama. He appeared in just one game during the 2020 season and three this year. In his three appearances, Baker caught seven passes for 101 yards and recorded one touchdown. Baker’s 6-foot-2 frame should make him a dangerous vertical threat. Having spent the last two years with a team in the CFB playoffs and competing with high-end draft picks like Jaylen Waddle, DeVonta Smith and Jameson Williams, Baker has cut his teeth in the best possible situation before coming to the Bluegrass.

Darrion Henry-Young (DL)- Ohio State 

• A four-star recruit out of high school, Henry-Young was part of what gave Ohio State 2020’s No. 5 recruiting class in the nation. At 6-foot-4, 265 pounds, Henry-Young has the potential to be the wrecking ball next year’s Kentucky team needs. The only issue is experience. Henry-Young has played in only four games in the last two seasons.  

Tashawn Manning (OL)- Auburn 

• At 6-foot-4, 335 pounds, Manning has the size and experience to be an impact from day one. Manning took advantage of injuries and started every game for Auburn during the 2020-21 season. This year, Manning played in 12 games, starting in three games. With several notable offensive linemen leaving, Manning will be a welcome addition to the Big Blue Wall. 

Tayvion Robinson (WR)- Virginia Tech 

• Replacing Wan’Dale Robinson will be a tough task, but you couldn’t ask for a better Robinson to fill his shoes than Tayvion. This Robinson caught 44 passes for 559 yards and five touchdowns this season. 

Outside of the transfers, Kentucky has a solid crop of returning upperclassmen. Most notable among them are names like Will Levis and Chris Rodriguez. With those two stars alone, Kentucky is in a position to extend its Bowl win-streak. 

RETURNING CATS 

Will Levis (QB) 

Chris Rodriguez (RB) 

Kavosiey Smoke (RB) 

Keaton Upshaw (TE) 

Kenneth Horsey (OL) 

Jordan Wright (OLB) 

DeAndre Square (MLB) 

Jacquez Jones (MLB) 

Tyrell Ajian (S) 

Abule Abadi-Fitzgerald (DL) still has the option to return for an extra year.