Only a Select Few Kentucky Transfers Are Power Conference Starters

Kentucky significantly flipped its roster this offseason by adding 55 new players. To make way for the newcomers, 27 players left the program via the transfer portal.

Now a quarter into the season, we cannot get a definitive answer on whether the roster flip was a success. However, we can see how Kentucky’s transfer portal players are performing elsewhere. The results are a mixed bag. A select few have carved out starting roles, while others are rotational players, at best.

Former Kentucky Wide Receivers are Productive

The two biggest departures were from the wide receiver room. Barion Brown and Dane Key were among the top-ranked players in the transfer portal. So far, at least one has lived up to top billing.

Dane Key has a touchdown reception in every game he’s worn Nebraska Red, and boy, is that a lot of red. It’s still unsettling to see, but he’s performing well with 13 receptions for 190 yards. In last week’s win, he surpassed 2,000 career receiving yards. Nebraska has its first Big Ten test of the season today against Michigan.

The Dane Key effect. pic.twitter.com/Kx4BvODvAL

— Nebraska Football (@HuskerFootball) September 13, 2025

Barion Brown has not produced nearly as much fanfare in Baton Rouge. He’s started in every game, catching 15 passes for 145 yards. His most noteworthy moment was an overturned touchdown reception in the opener against Clemson. This will not surprise Kentucky fans, but he’s been targeted four times 20+ yards downfield and has yet to catch one of those explosive passes.

Even though he’s not a wide receiver, tight end Jordan Dingle stepped into a bigger role last week for South Carolina and performed well. He earned a start against Vanderbilt and caught 3 passes for 44 yards, including a 33-yard reception, the longest of the day for the Gamecocks.

Volatile Seasons for Former Kentucky Offensive Linemen

Dylan Ray was an overlooked and unexpected transfer portal departure. He arrived with little fanfare, but quickly stepped into a starting role for the Wildcats, primarily as a guard. He hopped in the portal late in the process and landed at Minnesota where he became the Golden Gophers’ starting right tackle.

Wallace Unamba grabbed a cup of coffee in Lexington. The New Mexico transfer arrived in the spring and was expected to play tackle. When he was relegated to a reserve role as a guard, he hit the portal over the summer and landed at Virginia. Unamba secured a starting position at offensive tackle, but suffered an injury in week one that will sideline him for five games or more.

Courtland Ford battled injuries throughout his Kentucky tenure. It was poor play that sent him to the sideline in Westwood. The left tackle was benched at UCLA in the middle of the second loss of the season after posting an average pass blocking grade of 14.5.

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Production at Lower Levels

Gavin Wimsatt is doing Gavin Wimsatt things at Jacksonville State. The QB from Western Kentucky is completing 56.9% of his passes for 369 yards, 1 touchdown, and two interceptions. He’s also rushed for 166 yards and 3 touchdowns. The Gamecocks are 1-2, with a win over Liberty and losses to UCF and Georgia Southern.

Brandon White took the Dekel Crowdus route from Lexington to Hawaii. The speedster is playing 48 snaps per game for the Rainbow Warriors, hauling in 12 catches for 111 yards.

EDGE Noah Matthews dropped down a level and returned home to Delaware. He’s a starter for the Blue Hens, playing 38 snaps per game. He’s tallied 7 tackles and 3 QB Hurries so far this season. Tommy Ziesmer has been even better at the FCS level. The former Boyle County standout has 11 tackles, a sack, and three QB Hurries while averaging 51 snaps per game for the Eastern Kentucky Colonels.

Kentucky fans have already seen Chip Trayanum and Tanner Lemaster in action at Kroger Field. The Eastern Michigan tight end has five receptions for 69 yards, including a pair of catches last week at Kroger Field. Even though Kentucky bottled him up in week one, Trayanum has been exceptional for the Rockets. The Toledo running back has 39 carries for 248 yards and 4 touchdowns, while catching 6 passes for 55 yards and a score.

Not a Lot Going On

Anthony Brown-Stephens, WR, Tulane — Plays 33 snaps per game; 4 receptions for 46 yards.

Tyreese Fearbry, EDGE, Wisconsin — Plays 11 snaps a game; had two tackles and a sack against Middle Tennessee State.

Keeshawn Silver, DT, USC — Plays 24 snaps a game; three tackles in three games.

Khamari Anderson, TE, Arizona State — Plays 30 snaps a game, primarily as a blocker, with one reception for four yards.

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