Dane Key makes ESPN's True Freshman Top 25 Rankings

Here’s a post that will make Ryan Lemond very happy: Dane Key is one of the top freshmen in college football, according to ESPN.

Tom VanHaaren and Tom Luginbill ranked the 25 “instant impact” true freshmen through five games this morning and Key is No. 13. As VanHaaren writes, Key’s three touchdowns are tied for the most among true freshmen wideouts this season (as Ryan would point out, that would be four if not for the illegal motion penalty at Ole Miss).

Key was the No. 215 prospect in the 2022 class and the fourth highest-ranked commitment for Kentucky. He was a multi-sport athlete in high school and a Kentucky legacy, as his father, Donte, also played football for the Wildcats. Kentucky lost its top two receivers from last season in Wan’Dale Robinson and Josh Ali, so there was opportunity for Key to contribute early on. So far, through five games, Key is tied for the most receiving touchdowns on the team with Tayvion Robinson at three apiece. He is third on the team in receiving yards with 269 and is averaging 53.8 receiving yards per game. Those three touchdowns are tied for the most by true freshman wide receivers.

Tom VanHaaren, ESPN

Oddly, fellow Kentucky freshman Barion Brown is NOT on the list even though he has more receiving yards (282) than Key on two fewer catches (15) and just won his second consecutive SEC Co-Freshman of the Week award. Brown also ranks first in the SEC and ninth nationally in kickoff return yards (286).

Instead of being too mad at the Worldwide Leader for this glaring omission, I’ll just be happy that Kentucky has Key and Brown on the roster. The future is bright.