Kentucky backup QB Destin Wade enters name into transfer portal

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Kentucky football backup quarterback Destin Wade has entered his name into the transfer portal, On3 has learned.

Destin is the twin brother of Kentucky linebacker Keaten Wade, who appeared in all 12 games for the Wildcats as a true sophomore this past season. However, Destin was redshirted in year one and played the role of backup quarterback behind Devin Leary as a redshirt freshman in 2023 and was listed as Kentucky’s third-string signal caller. Kentucky is widely expected to take another QB from the portal this offseason for the 2024 season.

Wade appeared in just one game as Kentucky’s quarterback, which came during the Wildcats’ Music City Bowl loss to Iowa last season. Wade started in place of Will Levis, who did not play in the postseason in order to prepare for the NFL Draft. Wade finished that game 16-30 with 98 passing yards to go along with 17 rushing attempts for 23 yards.

Kentucky QB Destin Wade (@Destinwade1) has entered the NCAA transfer portal, @On3sports has learned.https://t.co/l6HDDPGq0I pic.twitter.com/OUFjqNhaFd
— Transfer Portal (@TransferPortal_) December 4, 2023

Landing the Wade twins — both four-star high school prospects — was as a major win for Kentucky’s 2022 recruiting class. Keaten has already made a significant impact for the ‘Cats after a promising true freshman season. He was especially impactful as a true sophomore in 2023, finishing with 35 total tackles (16 solo), three tackles for loss, and one sack through 12 regular season games.

Unfortunately, Destin was never able to secure the starting quarterback position after Levis left and Kentucky brought in Leary as the replacement. He was listed as an “athlete” by recruiting services in high school but came to UK with the intention of playing quarterback, a position he thrived in during his pre-college career. Destin was even named Mr. Football as a senior in Tennessee’s Class 6A, the state’s largest classification.

Now, he’ll look for a new home with multiple years of eligibility left. The next discussion will be whether or not his brother follows suit or elects to stick at Kentucky.