Keaton Upshaw, Kentucky Tight End, Enters the Transfer Portal

by:Nick Roush•12/02/22•

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Kentucky tight end Keaton Upshaw is the latest Wildcat to enter his name into the transfer portal. He announced Friday afternoon that he will enter the portal as a grad transfer.

Although disheartening for some fans, the news does not come as a surprise. The redshirt senior was a late addition to Kentucky’s Senior Day ceremonies ahead of the Louisville game. Upshaw spent five years at the University of Kentucky, but with a COVID-19 waiver and a potential medical waiver on the table, he could still have two years of eligibility remaining.

Keaton Upshaw was a prized recruit for Vince Marrow out of Lima Senior High School in Ohio. The 6-foot-6, 250-pound prospect was a three-star recruit. He was the No. 36 tight end prospect in the 2018 cycle, according to the On3 Consensus, a complete and equally weighted industry-generated average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.

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Following a redshirt season that was plagued by a hamstring injury, he was an immediate impact player for Kentucky in 2019. He caught his first career touchdown pass against Florida in the second game of the season. He totaled seven catches for 78 yards and played in all 13 games. The following year produced similar results, starting in four games while catching 16 passes for 193 yards and three scores.

Poised for a breakout season in Liam Coen’s offense, weeks before the start of training camp he suffered a torn pectoral muscle. The injury cost Upshaw the entire 2021 season. He was never the same once he returned for 2022. Jordan Dingle and Josh Kattus passed him by on the Kentucky depth chart, tallying only four receptions for 50 yards this fall.

Upshaw had size and exceptional pass-catching ability, but consistency and injury problems prevented him from reaching his potential. Instead of sticking around, he’ll seek better opportunities elsewhere.