Scholarship Tally: Kentucky has 2 open spots with second transfer portal window approaching

Spring practice has passed the midway point at the University of Kentucky as Mark Stoops’ program gets prepared for an open practice on Saturday. The Wildcats will likely get into scrimmage mode in this setting with fans that is replacing the annual spring game due to the installation of new field turf at Kroger Field. KSR will be on-site to provide full coverage of the event.

After the scrimmage wraps up, Kentucky will begin the process of shutting things down in the spring with only a few more practices remaining. From there, all focus and attention will turn to recruiting. A vital two-week window is right around the corner with the transfer portal re-opening for two weeks on May 1.

Stoops and Kentucky plan on being active shoppers when the next free agency period begins.

“I would like to make some additions still and I would like the current guys to stay intact,” Kentucky’s head coach told Matt Jones on Thursday’s edition of Kentucky Sports Radio.

KSR has run the numbers and it looks like Kentucky is sitting firm at 83 scholarships accounted for following the dismissal of Vito Tisdale. If no attrition occurs over the next few weeks, the Wildcats have some wiggle room to do some more roster building.

Scholarship distribution

— QB (4): Devin Leary (Super), Deuce Hogan (RJr.), Kaiya Sheron (RSo.), Destin Wade (RFr.)

— RB (6): Justice Dingle (Super), Ramon Jefferson (Super) Ray Davis (RSr.), JuTahn McClain (Sr.), La’Vell Wright (RSo.), Jamarion Wilcox (Fr.)

— WR (10): Tayvion Robinson (Super), Dee Beckwith (RJr.), Dekel Crowdus (RSo.), Barion Brown (So.), Dane Key (So.), Jordan Anthony (RFr.), Brandon White (RFr.), Ardell Banks (Fr.), Anthony Brown (Fr.), Shamar Porter (Fr.)

— TE (7): Brenden Bates (Super), Izayah Cummings (Sr.), Jordan Dingle (RSo.), Josh Kattus (So.), Khamari Anderson (Fr.), Jakob Dixon (Fr.), Tanner Lemaster (Fr.)

— iOL (8): Kenneth Horsey (Super), Tanner Bowles (RSr.), Eli Cox (RSr.), Jager Burton (RSo.), Paul Rodriguez (RSo.) Grant Bingham (RFr.), Koby Keenum (Fr.), Austin Ramsey (Fr.)

— T (7): Marques Cox (Super), Jeremy Flax (RSr.), Deondre Buford (RJr.), Josh Jones (RJr.), David Wohlabaugh Jr. (RSo.), Nikolas Hall (RFr.), Malachi Wood (Fr.)

— Offense: 42

— DL (13): Josaih Hayes (Sr.), Sam Anaele (RJr.), Darrion Henry-Young (RJr.), Octavious Oxendine (RJr.), Tre’vonn Rybka (RJr.), Jamarius Dinkins (RSo.), Kahlil Saunders (RSo.), Keeshawn Silver (RSo.), Deone Walker (So.), Tomiwa Durojaiye (RFr.), Tavion Gadson (Fr.), Kendrick Gilbert (Fr.), Tommy Ziesmer (Fr.)

— EDGE (5): J.J. Weaver (RSr.), Keaten Wade (So.), Tyreese Fearbry (RFr.), Noah Matthews (RFr.), Grant Godfrey (Fr.)

— LB (5): Luke Fulton (RSr.), D’Eryk Jackson (RJr.), Martez Thrower (Jr.), Trevin Wallace (Jr.), Jayvant Brown (Fr.)

— CB (9): Andru Phillips (RJr.), Jantzen Dunn (RSo.), Maxwell Hairston (RSo.), Jordan Robinson (RSo.), JQ Hardaway (So.), Elijah Reed (RFr.), Andre Stewart (RFr.), Nasir Addison (Fr.), Avery Stuart (Fr.)

— S (6): Jalen Geiger (RSr.), Zion Childress (Sr.), Jordan Lovett (RSo.), Alex Afari (So.), Jaremiah Anglin (Fr.), Ty Bryant (Fr.)

— Defense: 38

— Specialists (3): Chance Poore (Super), Wilson Berry (RSo.), Jackson Smith (RFr.)

— Total: 83

Three positions loom large

As Kentucky looks to fine-tune its roster, a few positions immediately stand out. Right tackle, placekicker, and off-ball linebacker currently feel like needs for the Wildcats.

Deondre Buford, Jeremy Flax, and David Wohlabaugh Jr. played a combined 837 snaps at right tackle last year. However, the results were poor and that remains the only position on the offensive line that does not appear to be locked up at the moment. Expect the coaching staff to look hard at available tackle prospects.

At kicker, Kentucky needs a new starter. Chance Poore is back for his super senior season and will serve as the kickoff specialist bare minimum. Don’t be surprised if new special teams coordinator Jay Boulware brings in another scholarship kicker to create a fall camp competition with Poore for the starting role.

D’Eyrk Jackson and Trevin Wallace are locked in as starters at off-ball linebacker. Luke Fulton and Martez Thrower are upperclassmen who have yet to make a real on-field impact at Kentucky. With light scholarship numbers (five) at the position, don’t be surprised if Kentucky takes on a transfer with multiple years of eligibility remaining to add depth.

Keep an eye on these three positions when the new portal window opens in May.