Kentucky is getting major contributions from transfer portal additions
This past offseason was a time for change within the Kentucky football program. The biggest impact occurred from the transfer portal.
The hiring of Los Angeles Rams assistant Liam Coen to run the offense got much of the oxygen while plucking offensive staffers from Pittsburgh, South Carolina, and Wisconsin were also major stories. However, the additions in the transfer portal were the biggest splashes the program made.
In the offseason, Kentucky added seven Power Five transfers to the program, and we’re starting to see a few of them make an immediate impact on the field.
Instant connection
Both Will Levis and Wan’Dale Robinson made the move from the Big Ten to Lexington, and the two faced each other head-to-head when Penn State played Nebraska last season. In a new offensive scheme, each has taken off at Kentucky.
Will Levis leads the SEC in explosive pass rate (31.82%) and yards per attempt (12.4). The 6-foot-3 quarterback has a big right arm that has completed seven passes of 25-plus yards in two games. Usually, Robinson is on the receiving end.
The Frankfort (Ky.) Western Hills product is back in Kentucky after two years at Nebraska and has been one of the biggest transfer adds of the offseason. The 5-foot-11 wideout leads the SEC in yards per reception (22.6) and has four grabs of 25-plus yards to go along for a rush of 60-plus yards. The junior is providing the offense some playmaking juice.
Kentucky knew there would be ground game efficiency heading into 2021 thanks to Chris Rodriguez Jr. at tailback, but the offense needed some more explosive plays. The two Big Ten additions are providing the home runs.
Kentucky bolstered strongest unit
Thanks to the hard work by John Schlarman and some great players over the last few seasons, Kentucky has become one of the biggest offensive line brands in college football. The Big Blue Wall had high expectations heading into 2021.
Adding LSU transfer Dare Rosenthal has helped the unit reach a higher level.
The arrival of the former blue-chip recruit allowed Kentucky to slide Darian Kinnard back to his natural position of right tackle and has given Kentucky one of the best left tackles in the SEC. Through two games, Rosenthal has secured the blindside and effectively opened running lanes.
Somehow, Kentucky made the Big Blue Wall even stronger.
Defensive playmaking
Jacquez Jones was another late addition for the Kentucky defense when the Ole Miss linebacker entered the transfer portal late in the process. Kentucky jumped on this recruitment quickly and brought the senior to Lexington.
Through two games, Jones has shown some flashes of big-time playmaking ability.
The 235-pound linebacker is currently rated as a top-five player at the position in the SEC according to PFF and his pass coverage has been excellent. Jones was a force in the middle against Missouri forcing a pass breakup and recording an interception to give the Kentucky defense its first takeaway of the season.
As Jones teams with DeAndre Square, Kentucky currently has one of the best inside linebacker duos in college football. This is showing up big time in run support.
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