Why adding Dare Rosenthal makes sense for Kentucky

The transfer portal truly never sleeps.

On Monday afternoon, reports surfaced that LSU offensive tackle Dare Rosenthal is entering the transfer portal and is looking for a new school to call home for the 2021 season. The 6-foot-7 and 327-pound offensive lineman is now one of the most attractive free agents in college football with the beginning of training camp quickly approaching.

There is still a lot to comb through, but all signs point to Kentucky being a major player in this recruitment. Why could this make sense for the program? Let us tell you.

Buoys depth

Rosenthal was a four-star prospect in the class of 2018 but came to Baton Rouge as a defensive tackle prospect. After a redshirt season, Rosenthal switched to offense and his huge frame and athleticism combo made him a fit at left tackle. The young player was able to make a splash.

Rosenthal started three games for LSU in 2019 when the Tigers ran the table and won a national championship with one of the most dominant offenses college football has ever seen. Last fall, Rosenthal was a full-time starter for the Tigers.

Heading into the year, Kentucky appears to feel comfortable with both Jeremy Flax and Darian Kinnard at tackle while Luke Fortner will handle one of the interior line positions. Rosenthal would add another quality player to the mix to give new offensive line coach Eric Wolford another piece to help form the best group possible.

With Rosenthal, Kenneth Horsey, Austin Dotson, and a few others, Kentucky would have a legit chance at fielding the best offensive line in the SEC. This is a unit that could make a serious run at the Joe Moore Award.

Strong culture

Rosenthal was suspended for part of last season for a violation of team rules and Shea Dixon of 247 Sports is reporting that the offensive tackle is now entering the transfer portal after another violation of team rules. There is some off of the field stuff that must be checked, but Kentucky has a strong locker room capable of succeeding with some late additions.

Thanks to solid senior leadership to go along with a head coach that is entering year nine in the program, Kentucky is on stable ground. There is a line to walk within the Kentucky football program, and that can allow the program to keep things in order.

Culture wins out in college football, and Kentucky appears to have a strong one. If everything checks out off the field, the addition would be a welcome one.

Talent upgrade

The Blue-Chip Ratio was created by Bud Elliott of 247 Sports as a way to predict what teams in college football could truly win a national championship. Since its inception, the national title winner has simply had more four and five-star recruits than three stars. Kentucky is not at that level, but the Wildcats do have to play teams who qualify for the blue-chip ratio every season.

Currently, Kentucky has 21 former blue-chippers on their roster, but that equals less than 25 percent of the total scholarship distribution. To close the gaps created by the recruiting success of Florida, Georgia, and LSU, Kentucky must be creative in how its roster is built. The transfer portal provides an alternate way to help climb the ladder.

The Wildcats have done a good job with portal additions this offseason. Robinson was a clear star, but getting a trio of former top-600 recruits — Tre’Von Morgan, Luke Fulton, Justice Dingle — to go along with expected starters Will Levis and Jacquez Jones has allowed Kentucky to upgrade the roster.

Adding Rosenthal would be another step in that direction. To win at a top-25 level, teams must have the Jimmys and Joes.