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Kentucky linebacker Landyn Watson plans to enter NCAA Transfer Portal

Danby: Daniel Hager12/04/25DanielHagerOn3

Kentucky linebacker Landyn Watson plans to enter the NCAA Transfer Portal. On3’s Pete Nakos reported the news on Thursday.

Watson transferred to Kentucky prior to the 2025 season after spending the previous two seasons at Marshall. He appeared in 10 of Kentucky‘s 12 games this season, recording 21 tackles.

The move comes after long-time head coach Mark Stoops was fired following Kentucky‘s season-ending 41-0 loss to Louisville. Along with defensive coordinator Brad White‘s move to Florida to coach under Jon Sumrall, a plethora of Wildcat defensive players hitting the Transfer Portal isn’t a surprise.

“To all of my former players, coaches, staffers, and the Big Blue Nation, from the bottom of my heart, thank you,” Stoops wrote in a statement. “Coaching at Kentucky the last 13 years has been one of the greatest honors of my life. I’ve felt your support, your pride, and your love every single day. Kentucky has become my home and I’ll be forever grateful to have been your head coach.”

Kentucky‘s administration moved quickly to find a replacement in Oregon offensive coordinator Will Stein. Stein has called plays for the Ducks for the past three seasons, in which the program has/will have made the College Football Playoff twice.

Prior to spending a season in Lexington, Watson recorded 70 tackles and one interception across his two seasons at Marshall. His career began at TCU, although he never saw game action. He will finish his career at his fourth different program if he can successfully garner a waiver from the NCAA.

To keep up with the latest players on the move, check out On3’s Transfer Portal wire. 

The On3 Transfer Portal Instagram account and Twitter account are excellent resources to stay up to date with the latest moves.