Kentucky
3-Star OT Gabriel Osenda feels ‘blessed’ and ‘excited’ to land Kentucky offer
As the Kentucky Wildcats try to continue the tradition of the Big Blue Wall, a new target they’ve offered is 3-star offensive tackle Gabriel Osenda.
Osenda is a 6-foot-7, 300-pound offensive tackle from Clearwater [FL] who was offered by Kentucky in April.
When Osenda received the offer, he was very happy and knew the NFL talent Kentucky has been able to consistently produce.
“I was very excited to receive an offer from a great program and an amazing coach who has produced so many NFL-caliber athletes. I felt truly blessed,” Osenda tells A Sea of Blue.
While Osenda does think of the Big Blue Wall, he believes it is his mission to protect the quarterback or running back.
“I think of it as the linemen in the trenches protecting the quarterback or running back doing their jobs and providing a wall. I feel like I could help with that when it’s time to go to the next level and contribute to their offense,” Osenda says.
Osenda’s coach has been the person talking to the coaches at Kentucky, and they are currently building a relationship. While the relationship is still being built, Osenda believes he could see himself playing at Kentucky due to the recent NFL success.
“It will definitely be a big part since the end goal is to continue elevating the level I play at,” Osenda says.
At this time, as it is still early in his recruitment, he is still in the process of deciding and seeing which programs he is interested in since he is in the class of 2026.
Kentucky
Kentucky is poised to land either Donnie Freeman or Sebastian Rancik this weekend, per report
Jones posted on Twitter that “Kentucky will have (absent a major change) either Freeman or Rancik by tomorrow,” while also noting the Wildcats still need to add another shooter and another big to round out the roster.
One of the top targets is Donnie Freeman, a 6-foot-9, 205-pound sophomore forward transferring from Syracuse. Freeman arrived in Lexington on Tuesday night and began his visit on Wednesday before leaving without a commitment. While there was concern he could land at UConn, that visit has since been canceled, leaving Kentucky and St. John’s as the top teams.
Freeman averaged 16.5 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 1.3 assists per game last season, while adding nearly a block and a steal per contest. He shot 47.4% from the field but 30.2% from 3-point range across 23 games.
The other option is Sebastian Rancik, a 6-foot-11, 220-pound sophomore forward transferring from Colorado. Rancik visited Kentucky starting Wednesday through Thursday and brings a versatile skill set, averaging 12.3 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 2 assists per game while shooting 33.1% from 3.
Either Freeman or Rancik would provide a significant boost at the power forward position for head coach Mark Pope. Kentucky has already added guards Zoom Diallo and Alex Wilkins in the portal.
Kentucky football coach Will Stein reflects on new position
Will Stein was officially introduced to fans and media as the head coach for the Kentucky Wildcats, replacing Mark Stoops.
LEXINGTON — Kentucky football had its first spring game under new coach Will Stein at Kroger Field on Saturday.
The offense, in blue jerseys, had its moments. So too the defense, donning white uniforms.
Ultimately, the blue squad earned a 23-18 victory in a game called just after noon because of inclement weather.
Stein admitted he “got emotional” as he charged onto the field prior to kickoff.
“I know it wasn’t a real game, but when I ran on the field, I definitely — man, I felt it,” he said. “It was like a wave running over me. And very, very, just cool.”
While it doesn’t count in the standings, Stein walked away pleased.
“I think we got a lot of really good work,” he said. “That’s the goal of spring is to improve with fundamentals and technique, learn how to practice, learn what winning edges that we need throughout spring to go into summer and fall and prepare the team for play. And we came out of the scrimmage clean. There (were) no injuries, which to me, that’s the biggest win of the day. I could (not) care less about the score.
“If we come out clean, that’s good. The Wildcats won.”
New starting QB Kenny Minchey looked about as expected, with sharp passes evened out by moments of inconsistency. Martels Carter Jr., a defensive back who is lining up at running back this spring, scored a touchdown and had several nice runs.
And the defense forced multiple three-and-outs and also picked off one Minchey pass on a two-point conversion.
This story will be updated.
Reach Kentucky men’s basketball and football reporter Ryan Black at rblack@gannett.com and follow him on X at @RyanABlack.
-
Pittsburg, PA2 minutes agoMcCorkle: Pittsburgh Steelers 2026 Mock Draft (Final Version)
-
Augusta, GA8 minutes agoAugusta nonprofit hosts family financial literacy day
-
Washington, D.C14 minutes agoStorm Team4 Forecast: A chilly, gusty Sunday before a cool start to the week
-
Cleveland, OH20 minutes agoWinners and Losers From Cleveland Cavaliers NBA Playoffs Game 1
-
Austin, TX26 minutes agoStorms dump small hail throughout Austin area Saturday
-
Alabama32 minutes agoYMCA of South Alabama holds Healthy Kids Day in Spanish Fort
-
Alaska38 minutes ago
Bear injures two US soldiers during military training in Alaska | The Jerusalem Post
-
Arizona44 minutes agoNFL mock draft: 4-round projections for Arizona Cardinals
