Kentucky Football Spring Cleaning: Wide Receiver and Tight End

For Kentucky to reach preseason expectations in 2023, the passing game needs to be efficient in explosive. A previous program weakness must be a program strength this fall.

There is a lot riding on NC State quarterback transfer Devin Leary this season to fill a big hole for offensive coordinator Liam Coen. However, the Wildcats need some young returnees to take a forward step after a solid 2022 campaign.

The talent is real and the Wildcats appear to have multiple draft picks at both wide receiver and tight end. As our spring positional preview series rolls on at KSR, we’re diving into how the pass-catching positions look going into a season with sky-high expectations.

Previous Positions: Quarterback, Running Back

WR/TE Newcomers

— Khamari Anderson: The former Cincinnati commit opened his recruitment after Luke Fickell bolted for Wisconsin and Vince Marrow made a quick move. Khamari Anderson continues Kentucky’s Detroit pipeline. The four-star prospect was an Under Armour All-American and has two-way (blocking and receiving) potential. The future appears to be bright for the spring enrollee.

— Ardell Banks: A former Toledo commit, Kentucky went to high school powerhouse Massillon Washington (Ohio) to land a lengthy wideout with big-time speed. Ardell Banks won’t be on campus until the summer but has the chance to become a valuable vertical field stretcher in this offense.

— Anthony Brown: Another Ohio product, Anthony Brown is an early enrollee on campus for spring ball. The 5-10 receiver was a high-volume receiver in high school who will push for playing time in the slot. Don’t be surprised if the rookie emerges as an option for the Wildcats this season.

— Jakob Dixon: The Louisville (Ky.) PRP product was a surprise addition to Kentucky’s 2023 recruiting class after the in-state prospect recorded high-level athletic testing score at a camp in Lexington over the summer. Jakob Dixon has a bunch of intriguing traits giving this three-star prospect a high, high ceiling. Dixon will report in the summer.

— Tanner Lemaster: Yet another Ohio recruiting win at tight end, Tanner Lemaster is a traditional Y tight end with great size (6-5, 250). There will be a role available as a block first option down the road but a redshirt season may be required first.

— Shamar Porter: An early commit in the class of 2023, Shamar Porter continues Kentucky’s recent Greater Nashville recruiting pipeline and will report to Lexington in the summer. The four-star prospect will compete for outside wide receiver snaps very quickly and figures to have a high ceiling due to his size and speed combo with a track background.

Top Storyline: Does the hype continue?

Entering spring practice, most everything is established at both tight end and wide receiver. Brenden Bates will be the traditional in-line Y, Jordan Dingle will star in an off-ball/flex role, and Josh Kattus will be a jack of all trades. At wide receiver, Kentucky has three proven starters: Barion Brown, Dane Key, and Tayvion Robinson.

Now we need to see if this group is ready to take a jump with four sophomores each off an impressive first full season.

Kentucky needs this group to create plays consistently this upcoming season. The pre-work for that to happen will occur first during spring practice. Will the coaching staff confirm with fans and the media that the rightful steps are being taken with this talented bunch to reach the next level?

Wild Card: Dekel Crowdus

Kentucky’s top three at wide receiver is established. The tight end is expected to play a big role in the passing game. However, depth is needed on the outside.

That needs to be developed in practice. After losing numerous upperclassmen to the transfer portal, redshirt sophomore Dekel Crowdus could have a huge role awaiting him.

The redshirt sophomore out of Lexington (Ky.) Fredrick Douglas suffered a knee injury in his first season on campus but did flash some as a redshirt freshman in 2022. Now Kentucky needs that to become more consistent.

Crowdus has the speed to become a true vertical weapon and the Wildcats desperately need a reliable WR4 to emerge. If the former four-star recruit cannot become that this season, the offense will have to turn to a true freshman.

Prediction: Dane Key continues to earn high praise

Tayvion Robinson is the most experienced. Barion Brown is the most explosive. But neither may be Kentucky’s best wide receiver.

Dane Key was tremendous as a true freshman wideout last season. The former four-star recruit could play into the boundary and flashed the ability to get open against man and zone coverage. Key was a reliable intermediate and red zone target who flashed strong hands but also showed the ability to create explosive plays.

The sophomore finished last season with 37 receptions on 55 targets for 519 yards and six touchdowns. Key logged an impressive success rate (56.4%) and yards per reception number (14.0). Kentucky has a potential No. 1 guy on the outside.

Nothing seems to be slowing down this young receiver. Look for Key to quickly emerge as a top target for Devin Leary as the hype continues to build for the Lexington native.