
<p>Instead of taking his talents to Kentucky, former Alabama wide receiver <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/javon-baker-58105/">Javon Baker</a> will suit up for the UCF Golden Knights. The talented pass-catcher revealed his decision on <a href="https://twitter.com/javondbaker7/status/1534587276755456000?s=20&t=GL6tN38NwfOUxOAQdV6x1A">social media</a>. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<span class="pcNBWOy80RnasvV69qtjb3mX5FI"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Let’s get to work ‼️🤝 <a href="https://twitter.com/UCF_Football?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@UCF_Football</a> <a href="https://t.co/bwdJ2me4CQ">pic.twitter.com/bwdJ2me4CQ</a></p>— 5 (@javondbaker7) <a href="https://twitter.com/javondbaker7/status/1534587276755456000?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 8, 2022</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></span>
</div></figure>



<p>Baker initially <a href="https://www.on3.com/college/kentucky-wildcats/news/former-alabama-receiver-announces-transfer-commitment-to-sec-east-contender-javon-baker/">committed to Kentucky</a> in January, just a few weeks after playing for Alabama in the CFB National Championship. As summer training camp approached, officials around the University of Kentucky grew weary and <a href="https://www.on3.com/teams/kentucky-wildcats/news/alabama-javon-baker-will-not-transfer-kentucky-football/">ultimately decided to move on</a> without Baker on the 2022 roster. </p>



<p>A four-star prospect in the class of 2020, Baker was ranked as high as the No. 20 wide receiver in America when he signed with Alabama. In two years with the Crimson Tide Javon Baker appeared in 21 games, primarily on special teams. He caught seven passes for 101 receiving yards and a touchdown. </p>



<p>Baker is not the only player with Kentucky connections to transfer to Central Florida. Former UK quarterback <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/joey-gatewood-62782/">Joey Gatewood</a> will join Baker in Gus Malzahn’s wide receivers room this fall. </p>


KSR Football

Javon Baker Announces Commitment to Central Florida

At least for two games, the Big Blue Nation got to feel what it's like for this Kentucky team to not get off to a slow start against a quality

Jan 27, 2026; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Kentucky Wildcats head coach Mark Pope directs his team against the Vanderbilt Commodores during the first half at Memorial Gymnasium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images

KSR Basketball

Another slow start resurfaced for Kentucky in 25-point defeat against Vanderbilt

With the team's return home delayed until Wednesday, Mark Pope and a couple of his players, Otega Oweh and Denzel Aberdeen, spent six minutes

Screenshot 2026-01-28 at 12.43.20 AM

Watch Mark Pope's postgame comments in Nashville after UK's loss to Vanderbilt

Kentucky got drilled in Nashville. That's the second time this season. This time, Vanderbilt did the drilling in an 80-55 win over the Wildcats.

Vanderbilt forward Devin McGlockton (99) celebrates a three-point basket against Kentucky during the first half at Memorial Gymnasium in Nashville, Tenn., Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2026. (© ANDREW NELLES / THE TENNESSEAN / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)

ukvandy

22.5% of big games start with Kentucky in trouble

They don't get much uglier than that one, folks...  Kentucky was run out of Memorial Gymnasium on Tuesday night in Nashville, trailing the entire

KSR Rapid Reaction: Kentucky vs. Vanderbilt

KSR's Rapid Reaction to Kentucky's 25-point loss at Vanderbilt

Kentucky has been a great second-half team this season, but that doesn't matter much when the deficit is 20 points at the break.   On Tuesday night

Vanderbilt forward Tyler Nickel (5) celebrates a three-point basket against Kentucky during the first half at Memorial Gymnasium in Nashville, Tenn., Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2026 - ANDREW NELLES / THE TENNESSEAN / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

FINAL: Kentucky's win streak comes to screeching halt in 80-55 blowout loss to Vanderbilt

Kentucky may come back to win this game. It's what these Wildcats do -- although this would be the most under Mark Pope.  That doesn't make these

G_tx_ThW8AA1nZp

Kentucky is getting crushed (again) in Nashville -- do the Cats have another miracle in them?

Kentucky is riding a five-game winning streak. It's time to put it to the test against a ranked team on the road. Follow the KSR LIVE BLOG for all

kentucky-vanderbilt-ksr-live-blog-score-updates-highlights

LIVE BLOG: Kentucky at No. 18 Vanderbilt

How are we holding up, folks? Get those yawns out of your system, pour a cup of coffee if you need to -- whatever it takes to put some pep in your

G_suX2hWUAAiOVt

KSR's pregame notes to help get you to the late-night tip at Vanderbilt

Ty Bryant is an essential building block of the Kentucky football roster. It's not just because he's an All-SEC talent in the back of the secondary.

Kentucky defensive back Ty Bryant - Photo by Mont Dawson, Kentucky Sports Radio

Ty Bryant Earns Academic All-American Honors

Kentucky's on the road at Vanderbilt tonight, playing for a sixth straight SEC win. The Wildcats made the trip through the wintry weather on Monday

ksr-pregame-show

Warm up with the KSR Pregame Show before Kentucky plays Vandy

The college baseball season is right around the corner. Nick Mingione's Kentucky program will be looking for a fourth consecutive NCAA Tournament bid

nick-mingione-tyler-bell-talent-matched-only-by-work-ethic-kentucky-baseball

KSR Baseball

Projecting Kentucky's 2026 batting order

Clara Strack was last year's SEC Defensive Player of the Year, and considering how she's playing right now, she could be in line to add more hardware

clara-strack-selected-to-naismith-defensive-player-of-the-year-watch-list

KSR Women's Basketball

Clara Strack selected to Naismith Defensive Player of the Year Watch List

National Signing Day is Wednesday, Feb. 4. What was once a holiday of sorts for college football fans has been greatly diminished by the Early

Matt Ponatoski (Photo: Chad Simmons/Rivals)

KSR Football Recruiting

Two Kentucky Signees in Final Rivals300 Rankings of 2026

Vanderbilt point guard Tyler Tanner is a problem. Kentucky will be tasked with trying to solve him tonight (9:00 p.m. ET | ESPN) in Nashville.

Jan 7, 2026; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Vanderbilt Commodores guard Tyler Tanner (3) blows a kiss to the fans as he reacts after making a three point basket against the Alabama Crimson Tide during the second half at Memorial Gymnasium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images

tyler-tanner

Vanderbilt PG Tyler Tanner is playing at an All-American level

Hello friends. How are you? Cold? Me too. It's about as frigid as it gets around the Commonwealth of Kentucky, with wind chills consistently below

Kentucky is once again recruiting near the beaches in the state of Florida, via Doug Hood:Asbury Park Press : USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Kentucky Football Recruiting Notes from Sunny South Florida

Riding a five-game win streak in the conference, Kentucky heads back out on the icy road for a heat check at Vanderbilt. The last time the Wildcats

Jan 25, 2025; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Kentucky Wildcats guard Otega Oweh (00) slam dunk over Vanderbilt Commodores guard Tyler Nickel (5) during the second half at Memorial Gymnasium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images

oweh-vandy

KSR Staff Predictions: Kentucky vs. Vanderbilt

It's Tuesday, which means we have another Bracketology update from Joe Lunardi to discuss. Kentucky hasn't moved in this one, still a No. 7 seed.

kentucky-no-7-seed-bracketology-ncaa-tournament-first-round-storyline

Kentucky still a No. 7 seed in Bracketology (with a heck of a first-round storyline)

It's been a rough go for Kentucky ever since Teonni Key went down with a dislocated elbow. The Cats managed a win over then No. 5 Oklahoma and

kenny-brooks-we-cant-lose-confidence-who-we-are-amidst-three-game-skid

Kenny Brooks says 'we can't lose confidence in who we are' amidst three-game skid

After a 9-6 start with real bubble concerns after losing the first two SEC matchups, Kentucky has put together a five-game winning streak and some

NCAA Basketball: Vanderbilt at Kentucky

Kentucky at Vanderbilt: Preview, Odds & How to Watch

It's game day for Mark Pope's Kentucky Wildcats. They're in Nashville to play Vandy tonight in a late one. 9 p.m. on ESPN. Way before that begins,

ksr-show-thread

KSR Show. 1/27: Getting you ready for UK at Vandy

Kentucky has won five SEC games in a row, the longest such streak of the Mark Pope era. Tonight, it's time for the Cats to put that progress to the

ksr-gameday-kentucky-puts-winning-streak-to-the-test-at-vanderbilt

KSR Gameday: Kentucky puts winning streak to the test at No. 18 Vanderbilt

Last week, a clip of a fight at a middle school basketball game in Eastern Kentucky went viral, and a new line entered the pantheon of all-time

they-just-tased-ryan-middle-school-basketball-fight-viral-ksr-interview

KSR Around Kentucky

Announcer behind viral 'They just tased Ryan' call tells KSR how middle school game went off the rails

The denims are coming and you need the sneakers to match those beautiful throwback uniforms. They were teased back in July -- before the Kentucky

Screenshot 2026-01-26 at 9.39.11 PM

Come get your Converse Cons Blue sneakers ahead of the denim throwback reveal!

Kentucky will have no more or fewer players in Nashville than it did at home against Ole Miss -- or down the stretch vs. Texas, for that matter.

Missouri vs Kentucky on 1/7/2026 - Dr. Michael Huang, Kentucky Sports Radio/On3

No major surprises with Kentucky's Availability Report at Vanderbilt

Everyone, come inside from the cold. Have a seat. It's time for another SEC Bulletin Board. There's a hot chocolate on the counter.  Today, we check

Jan 24, 2026; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama forward London Jemison (6) and Alabama center Charles Bediako (14) defend a shot inside by Tennessee forward Nate Ament (10) at Coleman Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Gary Cosby Jr.-Tuscaloosa News

Javon Baker Announces Commitment to Central Florida

Discuss This Article

22.5% of big games start with Kentucky in trouble

KSR's Rapid Reaction to Kentucky's 25-point loss at Vanderbilt

FINAL: Kentucky's win streak comes to screeching halt in 80-55 blowout loss to Vanderbilt

Kentucky is getting crushed (again) in Nashville -- do the Cats have another miracle in them?

LIVE BLOG: Kentucky at No. 18 Vanderbilt

KSR's pregame notes to help get you to the late-night tip at Vanderbilt

Ty Bryant Earns Academic All-American Honors

Warm up with the KSR Pregame Show before Kentucky plays Vandy

Vanderbilt 80, UK 55

Game on

Staff Predictions

Bracketology

Road Dog