Kentucky Football Countdown: No. 88 Keaton Upshaw

Kentucky football season is almost here. Players have officially reported back to campus as KSR’s countdown reaches No. 88, Keaton Upshaw.

About Upshaw

People forget about Keaton Upshaw. Entering the 2021 campaign, the 6-foot-6, 245-pound tight end was expected to be one of Will Levis‘ go-to options alongside Wan’Dale Robinson and Josh Ali. About a month before the season Upshaw tore a pectoral muscle, sidelining him for the entire year.

Of all the various options in Vince Marrow’s position group, Upshaw is the most proficient pass-catcher. Entering his fifth year in Lexington, in two complete seasons he’s caught 23 passes for 276 yards and four touchdowns. A three-star recruit at Lima Senior (Oh.), Upshaw was ranked as the No. 25 tight end in America in the class of 2018.

Upshaw Career Highlight

Upshaw always brings out his best against Florida. His first career touchdown was against the Gators in 2019. A year later in the COVID-19 plagued SEC season he caught a career-high three passes for 28 yards and touchdown. The contested catch in traffic knotted the game against the eventual SEC East champs.

Keaton Upshaw Fun Fact

Chris Oats’ roommate answered the bell when he needed it most. After the linebacker suffered a stroke in the summer of 2020, Upshaw created a GoFundMe page that has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars to help pay for Oats’ exorbitant medical bills. Oats still needs help taking the next in his recovery. You can give him a leg up at 22OatsStrong.org.

2022 Forecast

Upshaw was able to return to action for the 2022 edition of Kentucky spring practice. After a year off the field, he slowly worked his way back into the fold, catching one pass for 27 yards in the Blue-White Game.

There aren’t many players in the SEC with Upshaw’s size and athleticism. Levis can throw him a fade to reel in a jump ball, or find him in traffic in the middle of the defense. Priority No. 1 for Upshaw is regaining his physicality. It takes some time for a player returning from injury to get acclimated with the physical grind of SEC play. That part of his game is what separates him from the pack. Fortunately, the schedule gives him some time to regain confidence against lesser foes in the month of September. Marrow also has an arsenal of experienced tight ends, taking some of the pressure off of Upshaw’s broad shoulders.

Kentucky has a lot of long outside receivers, although they’re young. Upshaw can provide an insurance policy as they come into their own. The quicker he gets back into game shape, the better. If Upshaw puts it all together, has the tools to become an NFL Draft pick in 2023.