Draft Scout Warning: Undefined variable $TeamName in D:\InetPub\vhosts\scoutnation.com\draftscout.com\notesteam.php on line 20 Player News, College Football: Warning: Undefined variable $TeamName in D:\InetPub\vhosts\scoutnation.com\draftscout.com\notesteam.php on line 20

Kentucky football left spring practice with a clear need for transfer help in the defensive secondary. The first attempt to address that concern has landed the Wildcats Ole Miss transfer Keidron Smith, who committed to the Wildcats Friday after considering Missouri, Virginia Tech and Miami. "We are very excited to have Keidron join our Wildcat family," UK coach Mark Stoops said in a news release. "He is a veteran player who started and saw a lot of snaps at corner and safety in the Southeastern Conference. He's versatile, he's intelligent and he's mature. I like his competitive nature and he's a great addition to our defense." Smith, who split time at three different positions in the Ole Miss secondary across four years in Oxford, totaled 65 tackles and two interceptions last season.

The West Palm Beach, Florida native will use the extra year of eligibility granted all players in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic to play as a super senior for Kentucky next season. Smith is the sixth transfer to commit to Kentucky since the end of the 2021 season, following Virginia Tech wide receiver Tayvion Robinson, Auburn offensive guard Tashawn Manning, Ohio State defensive lineman Darrion Henry-Young, Iowa quarterback Deuce Hogan and Alabama wide receiver Javon Baker. - Courier Journal

(DS#44 CB) rSr/2023

CB Keidron Smith, Kentucky
News Source: Courier Journal
Share/Comment: Here

03/04/22 - Darian Kinnard, Sr/2022, Kentucky, 6-5, 328 (DS#6 OG) + More +

Former Kentucky football offensive tackle Darian Kinnard is enjoying the opportunity to show NFL teams his full personality in interviews this week and the scouting combine. Letting his guard down during the predraft process has led Kinnard to wade into controversial political opinions. During interviews at the Senior Bowl in February, Kinnard wore a sweatshirt with a picture of the White House over the words "Traitor Joe's." Text above the image said, "Selling away your freedoms one at a time." Asked about the hoodie during the Thursday morning media session at the combine, Kinnard said there was no conscious decision to make a statement by wearing the shirt. "Part of my closet, so I wore it," Kinnard said. "That's how it goes." Kinnard said NFL teams he has met with in Indianapolis have not asked about the hoodie, but he made no attempt to walk back from the sentiment expressed by the shirt during his media session.

Asked later in the news conference about his experience working out during the pandemic-induced shut down during the spring and summer of 2020, Kinnard waded back into the political discussion. "Really, the pandemic experience, I felt like it wasn't as much as a crisis as I think it needed to be," Kinnard said. "I think it was more of a scare tactic, but at the end of the day that's my personal opinion. I felt like I still could have gone about my daily life. Still was out doing things, still was out going to the park, still was able to talk to people without being scared of things. My pandemic experience was kind of cooped up." - Courier Journal

(DS#6 OG) Sr/2022

OG Darian Kinnard, Kentucky
News Source: Courier Journal
Share/Comment: Here

02/28/22 - Ramon Jefferson, rSr/2024, Kentucky, 5-09, 201 (DS#38 RB) + More +

2021 ALL-WESTERN ATHLETIC CONFERENCE FIRST TEAM (COACHES): RB - Ramon Jefferson, R-Jr., Sam Houston,...The WAC's leading rusher with 972 yards and 11 scores, he has 250 more yards and seven scores more than anyone else in the league. He has five 100-yard games and ranks in the top 20 in all of FCS in total rushing yards, rushing touchdowns, rushing yards per game and yards per carry despite not even ranking in the top 50 in the nation in total rushing attempts. - Sam Houston Football

(DS#38 RB) rSr/2024

RB Ramon Jefferson, Kentucky
News Source: Sam Houston Football
Share/Comment: Here

01/01/22 - Chris Rodriguez Jr., rSr/2023, Kentucky, 6-0, 217 (DS#20 RB) + More +

After falling behind in the fourth quarter, No. 22 Kentucky scored with less than two minutes to play then held on to beat No. 15 Iowa 20-17 on Saturday in the Vrbo Citrus Bowl. Kentucky went into its high-paced offense with just 3:31 to play in the game. The Cats drove down the field behind the Will Levis-to-Wan'Dale Robinson connection. Perhaps the biggest play came when those two connected on a 52-yard pass play down the left sideline that got UK to the one yard line. After a penalty, UK handed the ball to Chris Rodriguez Jr., who took it in from six yards out for the touchdown. Matt Ruffolo added the PAT and UK led 20-17 with 1:48 to play.

Iowa would go into its two-minute offense on the ensuing possession and the Hawkeyes were able to get near midfield pretty quickly. But on second and five from the UK 40, Yusuf Corker hit Petras, whose throw went high and was intercepted by DeAndre Square, sealing the victory with just 48 seconds to play. Levis connected on 17 of 28 through the air for 233 yards and a touchdown, with one interception. His primary target was Robinson, who caught 10 passes for 170 yards, including that crucial 52-yard reception in the fourth quarter that set up the go-ahead score. Rodriguez Jr. rushed 20 times for 107 yards and a score. C-Rod also caught a touchdown pass in the game. - Kentucky/AP College Football

(DS#20 RB) rSr/2023

RB Chris Rodriguez Jr., Kentucky
News Source: Kentucky/AP College Football
Share/Comment: Here

12/20/21 - Tayvion Robinson, rSr/2024, Kentucky, 5-11, 191 (DS#44 WR) + More +

It didn't take long for the Kentucky football program to acquire a new wide receiver from the transfer portal following the decommitment of another. Tayvion Robinson, a former four-star recruit who started 29 games at Virginia Tech over the last three seasons, committed to UK on Wednesday following an official visit over the weekend. Robinson will have up to two years of eligibility with the Wildcats due to the NCAA's COVID-19 waiver. Robinson entered the transfer portal on Dec. 2. In his three seasons, he accumulated 1,555 yards and nine touchdowns for the Hokies, who finished 6-6 in the 2021 season and were invited to the Pinstripe Bowl. He's one of several Virginia Tech players who has opted out of the bowl game or entered the transfer portal. - Herald Leader

(DS#44 WR) rSr/2024

WR Tayvion Robinson, Kentucky
News Source: Herald Leader
Share/Comment: Here

12/20/21 - JaMori Maclin, rSr/2026, Kentucky, 5-11, 183 (DS#94 WR) + More +

Louisiana Tech quarterback JD Head and Missouri wide receiver Ja'Mori Maclin are transferring to UNT and are also expected to be a part of UNT's class. The Mean Green's group of four high school recruits ranks eighth among recruiting classes in Conference USA by 247Sports. Those players are expected to complement the host of starters UNT expects to return as well as a handful of key players who have missed all or most of the season due to injury. - Denton Record

(DS#94 WR) rSr/2026

WR JaMori Maclin, Kentucky
News Source: Denton Record
Share/Comment: Here

12/16/21 - Tashawn Manning, rSr/2023, Kentucky, 6-3, 327 (DS#25 OG) + More +

Tashawn Manning will spend his final year of eligibility in the SEC - just not at Auburn. The former veteran Auburn offensive lineman, who entered the transfer portal two weeks ago, announced Monday afternoon that he will transfer to Kentucky for the 2022 season. Manning, a 6-foot-4, 335-pounder originally from Apopka, Fla., started every game at left guard for Auburn during the 2020 season but was relegated to a reserve role for much of the 2021 season as Brandon Council made the switch from right guard to the left side of the line and started eight games at that position. Manning got the nod at left guard for two of Auburn's final three games of the season -- against Mississippi State and South Carolina -- and started at right guard in the regular-season finale against Alabama. - Birmingham News

(DS#25 OG) rSr/2023

OG Tashawn Manning, Kentucky
News Source: Birmingham News
Share/Comment: Here

12/16/21 - Zach Calzada, rSr/2026, Kentucky, 6-3, 222 (DS#57 QB) + More +

Texas A&M sophomore starting quarterback Zach Calzada has entered the transfer portal and won't play in the Gator Bowl against Wake Forest, according to multiple reports. Calzada started the last 10 games of the regular season after redshirt freshman Haynes King broke his right ankle in the first quarter against Colorado. Blake Bost, a freshman walk-on from Port Neches-Groves, has been Calzada's backup. Bost has played in five games, completing 2 of 7 passes for 18 yards with an interception. TexAgs.com, The Athletic and 247sports.com reported that Calzada had entered the portal with 247sports.com, citing sources. Calzada has thrown for 2,185 yards with 17 TDs and nine interceptions. He has completed 184 of 327. A&M coach Jimbo Fisher said during a Gator Bowl teleconference on Dec. 5 that King was not likely to play in the bowl game. - Bryan/College Station Eagle

(DS#57 QB) rSr/2026

QB Zach Calzada, Kentucky
News Source: Bryan/College Station Eagle
Share/Comment: Here

12/12/21 - Tayvion Robinson, rSr/2024, Kentucky, 5-11, 191 (DS#44 WR) + More +

Kentucky football appears to have found its new transfer wide receiver. Former Virginia Tech wide receiver Tayvion Robinson tweeted Saturday afternoon he had committed to the Wildcats. Robinson quickly deleted the tweet, but a source confirmed he is still expected to sign with Kentucky on Wednesday. The 5-foot-10, 187-pound receiver could serve as a like-for-like replacement for Kentucky wide receiver Wan'Dale Robinson if UK's record holder for catches in a season declares for the NFL draft as expected. Tayvion Robinson led Virginia Tech with 44 catches and five receiving touchdowns this season. He ranked second on the team with 559 receiving yards in the regular season before announcing earlier this month he was entering the transfer portal. - Courier Journal

(DS#44 WR) rSr/2024

WR Tayvion Robinson, Kentucky
News Source: Courier Journal
Share/Comment: Here

12/12/21 - Tayvion Robinson, rSr/2024, Kentucky, 5-11, 191 (DS#44 WR) + More +

2021 ALL-ACC FOOTBALL THIRD TEAM (COACHES/MEDIA): SP - Tayvion Robinson, Virginia Tech, 57 votes,...Robinson (5-10, 187) earned third-team honors as a return specialist. He leads the ACC and ranks fifth in the nation with a 13.7-yard punt return average, while his 328 punt return yards this season rank third in the country. Robinson's 60-yard punt-return touchdown versus Richmond on Sept. 25 was the second-longest punt return in the conference this season and was one of four punt return TDs from an ACC player in 2021. The Virginia Beach, Virginia product earned ACC Co-Specialist of the Week honors on Sept. 27 and made ESPN's All-ACC Midseason Team as a specialist. - Virginia Tech Football

(DS#44 WR) rSr/2024

WR Tayvion Robinson, Kentucky
News Source: Virginia Tech Football
Share/Comment: Here

12/11/21 - Josh Paschal, rSr/2022, Kentucky, 6-3, 270 (DS#9 DE) + More +

2021 ALL-SEC SECOND TEAM (COACHES): DL Josh Paschal, Kentucky,...Paschal, a 6-3, 275-pound defensive end from Prince George's County, Maryland, is the only three-time full-season team captain in Kentucky football history. The All-America candidate is having his best season yet in 2021, leading the team and ranking second in the SEC with 15.5 tackles for loss. He also has 53 tackles, 5.5 sacks, a team-high eight quarterback hurries, a forced fumble and a blocked field goal. - Kentucky Football

(DS#9 DE) rSr/2022

DE Josh Paschal, Kentucky
News Source: Kentucky Football
Share/Comment: Here

12/11/21 - *WanDale Robinson, Jr/2022, Kentucky, 5-08, 179 (DS#17 WR) + More +

2021 ALL-SEC SECOND TEAM (COACHES): WR Wan'Dale Robinson, Kentucky,...Robinson, a 5-foot-10, 183-pounder from Frankfort, Kentucky, has been one of the most electric players to ever come through the Kentucky football program. The transfer from Nebraska has caught a team-high 94 passes, a school single-season record, and his 1,164 receiving yards are second on UK's single-season list. In 12 games this season, Robinson has five 100-yard games which ranks second on UK's single-season list. - Kentucky Football

(DS#17 WR) Jr/2022

WR *WanDale Robinson, Kentucky
News Source: Kentucky Football
Share/Comment: Here

12/11/21 - Chris Rodriguez Jr., rSr/2023, Kentucky, 6-0, 217 (DS#20 RB) + More +

2021 ALL-SEC SECOND TEAM (COACHES): RB Chris Rodriguez Jr., Kentucky,...Rodriguez Jr., a 5-11, 224-pound running back out of McDonough, Georgia, ranks 12th nationally and second in the SEC in rushing this season, averaging 106.0 yards per game. In 12 games this season, he has 1,272 rushing yards, which ranks seventh on UK's single-season list. Overall, he has 2,633 career rushing yards for seventh on the school's all-time rushing list. He has 14 100-yard games in his career (third all-time) and a school-record tying eight this season, including each of the last four contests. - Kentucky Football

(DS#20 RB) rSr/2023

RB Chris Rodriguez Jr., Kentucky
News Source: Kentucky Football
Share/Comment: Here

12/11/21 - Luke Fortner, rSr/2022, Kentucky, 6-4, 304 (DS#4 C) + More +

2021 ALL-SEC FIRST TEAM (COACHES): Center Luke Fortner, Kentucky,...Fortner is a "super senior" and a 6-6, 297-pound center from Sylvania, Ohio. The two-time Campbell Trophy semifinalist has played in 54 career games for Kentucky, starting 35 in a row. After switching from right guard to center prior to the season, Fortner found his niche, excelling in his new role on the "Big Blue Wall." - Kentucky Football

(DS#4 C) rSr/2022

C Luke Fortner, Kentucky
News Source: Kentucky Football
Share/Comment: Here

12/11/21 - Darian Kinnard, Sr/2022, Kentucky, 6-5, 328 (DS#6 OG) + More +

2021 ALL-SEC FIRST TEAM (COACHES): OL Darian Kinnard, Kentucky,...Kinnard, 6-foot-5, 338-pound mountain from Knoxville, Tennessee, is one of the nation's top offensive tackles. The two-time SEC Offensive Lineman of the Week, also was a semifinalist for both the 2021 Rotary Lombardi Award, given to an offensive or defensive lineman who combines outstanding performance on the field with the character and discipline of NFL Hall of Fame coach Vince Lombardi, and the Outland Trophy, given to the nation's most outstanding interior lineman. This season, Kinnard led the team with 30 knockdown blocks and allowed only one quarterback sack in more than 350 pass plays. - Kentucky Football

(DS#6 OG) Sr/2022

OG Darian Kinnard, Kentucky
News Source: Kentucky Football
Share/Comment: Here

Previous 15 Notes

|Back to Page One|

Next 15 Notes

Warning: Undefined array key "TeamID" in D:\InetPub\vhosts\scoutnation.com\draftscout.com\2020rightcolteam.php on line 56

Warning: Undefined array key "DSTeamID" in D:\InetPub\vhosts\scoutnation.com\draftscout.com\2020rightcolteam.php on line 57

Kentucky Football Videos

Buy Draft Scout Weekly

** Draft Scout Data **
(Everything Online PLUS)

Support Draft Scout

The Database Engine for NFLDraftScout.com, Draft Scout is being repurposed...Support the Future Development of ScoutNation.com...

Draft Scout Archives

** 2010-2022 Draft Scout Archives **
(Yearly Player Data Exports, Prospect Lists & More)

Draft Scout Future

100% Dedicated and Never Done

80% Innovated

45% Hidden

35% Built

2025 CFB/2025-2029 NFL Draft Scout

2024 CFB/2024-2028 NFL Draft Scout

2023 CFB/2024-2027 NFL Draft Scout

NFL Draft Scout History

2022 Draft Scout

Draft Scout by Conference

2023 Draft Scout Offense

2023 Draft Scout Defense

2022 Draft Scout Offense

2022 Draft Scout Defense

Kentucky Football Videos

Buy Draft Scout Weekly

Support Draft Scout

Draft Scout Archives

Draft Scout Future

Synergization

Did You Know?

Hidden Designs

Future Development