Kentucky Football Countdown: No. 84 Izayah Cummings

Kentucky football season is almost here. Players have officially reported back to campus as KSR’s countdown reaches No. 84, profiling junior Izayah Cummings.

About Izayah Cummings

Izayah Cummings was a critical recruiting win for Kentucky in the class of 2020. Vince Marrow was able to land the Louisville (Ky.) Male product out of one of the biggest UofL pipelines in the state’s biggest city. After playing nine games as a true freshman at wide receiver, Cummings moved to tight end last fall camp and would record 14 receptions for 195 yards and three touchdowns in 2021.

"Great catch: @IzayahCummings. High-pointed that football at the back line of the endzone." 🗣 @tomleachKY

💪 @will_levis #ForTheTeam 😼🏈 pic.twitter.com/XO0X4Rcyud

— Kentucky Football (@UKFootball) November 14, 2021

Izayah Cummings Career Highlight

After making a late position switch, the 2021 season started slow for Cummings as the sophomore had just three receptions in the first six games and then suffered an injury against Georgia. However, the former three-star recruit had his best showing against Tennessee.

Cummings would record four receptions for 75 yards and a touchdown with a huge explosive play that turned a double-digit deficit into a one-possession game in the fourth quarter.

That performance served as a proof of concept for the position switch and raises the expected ceiling as Cummings can be a valuable flex tight end who could emerge as one of the top targets for Will Levis in 2022.

2022 Forecast

With the late news that Alabama transfer Javon Baker would not be joining the Kentucky football program, it raised some doubts about the Kentucky passing game. The Wildcats are very young on the perimeter but there are a plethora of options at tight end. Izayah Cummings could have a heavy role in the passing game, and the junior could post the biggest receiving numbers the tight end position as seen at Kentucky since Jacob Tamme logged 56 receptions in 2007.