Offense
The quarterback position will belong to Notre Dame transfer Kenny Minchey. He narrowly lost out on the job at Notre Dame last season. He has great athletic ability and is an even better young man. He just lacks experience. Marshall transfer JacQui Long has some experience and Brennen Ward returns as well.
The running back position adds two big time transfers in CJ Baxter (Texas) and Jovantae Barnes (Oklahoma). The only concern with these two is their injury history. Baxter is coming off an ACL injury but started eight games at Texas. While Barnes started 10 games at Oklahoma, he was banged up last season.
The wide receiver room returns some experience in DJ Miller, Hardley Gilmore IV, and tight end Willie Rodriguez. The additions of Nic Anderson (LSU), Brock Coffman (Louisville), Ja’Kayden Ferguson (Arkansas), Xavier Daisy (UAB), and Shane Carr (Southern Utah) are massive for this unit.
The offensive line room returns some experience in Hayes Johnson and Malachi Wood. The additions of Tegra Tshabola (Ohio State), Olaus Alinen (Alabama), Coleton Price (Baylor), Lance Heard (Tennessee), Max Anderson (Tennessee), and Mark Robinson (UTEP) are crucial for this team’s success.
Defense
The defensive line room returns production in Mi’Quise Humphrey-Grace, Tavion Gadson, Jaden Williams, and Kalen Edwards. Tyler Thomas (South Alabama), Dominic Wiseman (South Alabama), Antonio O’Berry (Gardner-Webb), Jamarrion Harkless (Purdue), and Ahmad Barnes (LSU) are significant additions.
The linebacker room returns experience in in Sam Greene, Cedric “CJ” Works, Lorenzo Cowan, Antwon Smith, and Grant Godfrey. The additions of Elijah “Bo” Barnes (Texas) and Tavion Wallace (Arkansas) provide even more depth to this unit. Expect Greene to be productive as an edge rusher.
The secondary returns experience in Ty Bryant (future All-SEC performer), Kevis Thomas, Terhyon Nichols, Nasir Addison, Jaden Smith, and Grant Grayton. The additions of Cyrus Reyes (Mississippi State), Mark Manfred III (Missouri), Aaron Gates (Florida), Jesse Anderson III (Pittsburgh), Jordan Castell (Florida), and Hasaan Sykes (Western Carolina) make this a solid unit.
Specialists
The kicking duties will belong to Jacob Kauwe, who has range up to 60 yards. Punting duties will belong to either Wilson Berry or Murray State transfer Tom O’Hara.
2026 Schedule
9/5 Youngstown State
9/12 Alabama
9/19 at Texas A&M
9/26 South Alabama
10/3 at South Carolina
10/10 LSU
10/17 at Oklahoma
10/24 Vanderbilt
11/7 at Tennessee
11/14 Florida
11/21 at Missouri
11/28 Louisville
Final Analysis
Kentucky could be a sleeper to watch. Will Stein may only be 36, but his confidence and recruiting ability has raised the talent level on this roster. His youth and excitement are much needed. He grew up cheering for the Cats and could do some exciting things in Year 1.
