Transfer Portal Report: Where former Kentucky players landed

It’s officially spring football season in college football. That means another batch of heavy transfer portal recruiting is on the way.

Kentucky just finished up an official visit with Vanderbilt offensive tackle Tyler Steen and will host Ole Miss defensive back Keidron Smith for a visit during the spring game next month. The Wildcats are working on filling out their roster, but the transfer portal will play a part as we enter the summer months.

Before diving into who Kentucky could add, KSR is taking one final look back at the players lost from last year’s team and where they’ll be playing in 2022.

Marquez Bembry (LB, UConn)

After playing both linebacker and outside linebacker for three seasons at Kentucky, former junior college transfer Marquez Bembry moved on. The super senior will spend his final year in college playing for new head coach Jim Mora Jr. as the Huskies are in full-on rebuild mode.

Jared Casey (LB, Indiana)

A former four-star prospect out of Louisville (Ky.) Ballard, Jared Casey was a hyped up add for the program after Kentucky flipped the Oregon commit. However, the linebacker had issues finding a home as he went from outside linebacker to inside linebacker. The former blue-chipper is headed to the Big Ten where he’ll be a redshirt junior this season playing for an Indiana defense that needs a lot of help.

Blessed Beyond Belief!! #newhome pic.twitter.com/Vx9q8G031g

— Jaręd Çasey (@jared_casey01) January 8, 2022

Torrance Davis (RB, TBD)

Another player that switched positions, Torrance Davis spent two years at Kentucky splitting time between linebacker and running back. With a loaded tailback room, the Metro Cleveland native decided to depart after the season and has yet to announce a destination for 2022.

Cedrick Dort Jr. (CB, Wisconsin)

Last season, redshirt senior Cedrick Dort Jr. split time with Quandre Mosely at cornerback but decided to depart after five years at Kentucky. Surprising many, Dort found a home in the Big Ten and will suit up for a Wisconsin team that could be a dark horse contender for the College Football Playoff if the offense can figure out quarterback.

Moses Douglass (DB, Alabama A&M)

A former top-500 prospect and legacy recruit, Moses Douglass had difficulty cracking the rotation in Kentucky’s secondary, and after initially pledging to Kent State, Douglass had a change of heart and is heading to Alabama A&M where he’ll play with former Kentucky commit Jarren Williams.

Isaiah Epps (WR, Tulsa)

Isaiah Epps spent five seasons at Kentucky and started nine games for the Wildcats. However, a native of the Tulsa suburbs decided to return home for his super senior season. Epps will suit up for the Golden Hurricane in the American Conference for his final ride in college football.

Isaiah Gibson (DL, Marshall)

Yet another class of 2019 signee, Isaiah Gibson went on the move after three seasons at Kentucky and landed in Conference USA. The Ohio native will suit up for the Thundering Herd and will be joined by former staffer Jovon Bouknight who is now the wide receivers coach in Huntington.

K.D. McDaniel (EDGE, UCF)

After three years with Kentucky, K.D. McDaniel decided to move on after the season, and the South Georgia product found a good landing spot. The twitchy speed rusher will join Gus Malzahn’s program in Orlando, and the Knights appear to be on the right track as the program will soon join the Big 12.

Tre’Von Morgan (WR, Miami Ohio)

The former Michigan State transfer spent just two seasons at Kentucky and is on the move again. After being switched to tight end, Tre’Von Morgan is headed to the MAC to suit up for the RedHawks. Kentucky will see the transfer and his new team to begin the season at Kroger Field.

Jake Pope (OT, Illinois State)

A South Florida product in the class of 2019, Jake Pope never made an impact in three seasons at Kentucky. Shortly after the 2021 year, the 6-foot-7 offensive tackle entered the transfer portal and landed at FCS Illinois State where he’ll play for the Redbirds in the Missouri Valley.

Nik Scalzo (QB, Samford)

The former low three-star prospect in the class of 2019, Nik Scalzo was Kentucky’s quarterback of choice in that cycle after the Wildcats missed out on some other targets. The dual-threat quarterback from South Florida drew some comps to Johnny Manziel but suffered a knee injury early in his career and never fully pushed for playing team in three seasons on campus.

Travis Tisdale (RB, Valdosta State)

On national signing day, many compared Travis Tisdale to Boom Williams as the new Kentucky tailback had big-play ability in South Georgia. However, Tisdale could never find a spot in Lexington to take advantage of that speed. After three seasons, the running back moved back home and will play for Division II Valdosta State.

Naasir Watkins (OT, Liberty)

At one point, Naasir Watkins looked like a potential starter for Kentucky after getting some legit playing time as a redshirt freshman. However, injuries and off-field issues prevented the DMV product from making an impact in five seasons. Watkins entered the transfer portal and will now spend his super senior season playing for the Flames and head coach Hugh Freeze.