Kentucky

What Kentucky has Learned about its Wide Receivers at Spring Practice

Published

3 weeks ago

March 14, 2026

What Kentucky has Learned about its Wide Receivers at Spring Practice

One of the first things Kentucky football fans learned about Will Stein was his motto, “Feed the Studs.” His offensive ideology is simple. Get the ball in your playmakers and let them cook.

The next question was, “Who will be these studs?” Kentucky prioritized trench players in the transfer portal. DeAndre Moore Jr. was a stud the Wildcats targeted, but when he ultimately followed his former recruiter to Colorado, it left many Kentucky fans wondering if the Wildcats had enough stud wide receivers to feed. Quarterback Kenny Minchey believes he has more than enough weapons in his arsenal.

“I feel like I say this every day, but I feel like we have a really good, really deep wide receiver room,” Minchey said after Kentucky’s second spring practice. “We have a lot of fast, twitchy guys, and I feel like that ranges throughout the entire room. I don’t think there’s a fall off, honestly. Also, there’s a few guys who can high-point the ball for sure, and then some long-range guys that will definitely help on Saturdays.”

Nic Anderson is the primary newcomer you need to know, but he’s not the only one. The former Oklahoma and LSU pass-catcher was Dillon Gabriel’s favorite target in Norman. He definitely fits the mold of a guy who can high-point the football. Before spring practice began, Anderson spent a ton of time cultivating a relationship with his quarterback.

“He’s always putting that ball in the right spot. Shoot, if he misses, I’ll let you know,” said Anderson.

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Early Spring Practice Standouts

When Minchey was asked which wide receivers have popped in spring practice, he shared a surprising response: Brock Coffman. The Lexington native was lightly recruited out of Sayre High School before spending one season at Louisville. When he transferred to Kentucky, it didn’t move the needle, but he’s done just that during his first days of spring practice.

“On day one, he had a few big catches, which I was expecting that, but his background, his history, I don’t think a lot of people are expecting that, but he’s a really good athlete. He’s made a lot of plays already,” said Minchey.

The Kentucky quarterback shared one other name, Shane Carr. The California native was a high school quarterback, who quickly picked up the wide receiver position at the FCS level, leading Southern Utah in receiving during each of his first two years of college football.

“He’s very athletic, really good receiver, very fundamentally sound, so he’s gonna be really good too,” said Minchey.

He’s taking a step up in competition, but offensive coordinator Joe Sloan sees the tools and traits of a pass-catcher who can excel in the SEC.

“Shane was extremely productive at his previous school. I think he has a lot of fluidity. He catches the ball really well. He’s an intelligent player, so he can play outside and inside,” said Sloan.

“He can do a lot of different things, move around. No matter what position you play, you’re going to move around. He can get up in the air, and really make a lot of plays right up in the air, in terms of his body control. That’s what I like to see him carry over…. So I’m excited for him. He’s been great. I think he’s assimilating really well to the team and the environment and the level (of play), so it’s been good.”

A Key Returner for Kentucky

While most Kentucky fans are more interested in what the newcomers are bringing to the table, there are a few returners who can be impact performers on Saturdays. DJ Miller was one of the most decorated players in Kentucky’s 2025 recruiting class. After missing the first half of the season with a soft tissue injury, he was a difference-maker down the stretch. In six games, he caught 13 passes for 175 yards and two touchdowns, including a 56-yard score vs. Tennessee.

A lengthy, 6-foot-3 athlete, Miller fits the prototype of an outside wide receiver. Sloan believes he can be much more than that. Miller has surprised Anderson during the transfer’s first few months on campus.

“Coming in, I heard that he was a little bit more nonchalant, but he’s really stepped into a leadership role alongside with me, and he’s been a real important voice in that room,” said Anderson. “Obviously a bigger body, very physical, goes up and gets the ball, attacks it, and that’s something we need in this offense for sure.”

This Kentucky wide receiver room is far from a finished product. This spring’s objective is to create chemistry with Kenny Minchey. It’s a process, one that will hopefully manifest in more than enough studs for Minchey to feed this fall.

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Kentucky

Kentucky State Police looking for missing teen in Clay County

Published

18 minutes ago

April 7, 2026

Press Room

Kentucky State Police looking for missing teen in Clay County

CLAY COUNTY, Ky. (WKYT) – Kentucky State Police is asking for help to find a missing teenage girl.

16-year-old Gracie Smith was last seen Tuesday night at Jacks Branch Bible Church in Manchester. Troopers believe she was picked up by an unknown person in a blue passenger car near the church.

Gracie was last seen wearing a white shirt, light pink jacket and pink pajama pants.

Anyone with information is asked to call Kentucky State Police Post 11.

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Kentucky

Former Kentucky Transfer Portal Target Magoon Gwath Re-Enters Free Agency

Published

1 day ago

April 6, 2026

Press Room

Former Kentucky Transfer Portal Target Magoon Gwath Re-Enters Free Agency

A familiar name will be back in the transfer portal when the official window opens at midnight. Magoon Gwath is once again testing the free agency market.

Gwath was a player BBN kept a close eye on early in the 2025 transfer portal cycle. Kentucky and Michigan were considered the top potential destinations for the 7-footer when he surprisingly announced a return to San Diego State. When the San Diego Union-Tribune reported his return to the Aztecs on April 1, the lede was “This is not an April Fool’s joke.”

The decision was so surprising because of Gwath’s resume. He arrived in San Diego as an unranked recruit. During his first season with the Aztecs, the 7-footer averaged 8.5 points, 5.2 rebounds, and a league-leading 2.6 blocks per game, earning Mountain West Freshman of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year honors.

Ahead of his return, head coach Brian Dutcher noted that Gwath was taking a pay cut to show his loyalty to the program that gave him a shot. That gamble did not pay off for either side. San Diego State missed the NCAA Tournament for the first time in six seasons, as Gwath’s minutes per game slightly dipped to 19, tallying 8.9 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks per contest in 2025-26.

It’s unclear if Kentucky will take another swing at the lengthy 7-footer during this transfer portal cycle. What is clear is that there will be no shortage of chaos when the free agency period officially tips off at midnight. We’ll be locked in every step of the way.

Want more Kentucky Transfer Portal Coverage? Join KSR+

KSR has been delivering UK Sports news in the most ridiculous manner for almost two decades. Now, you can get even more coverage of the Cats with KSR+. In the middle of a busy transfer portal season for the Kentucky basketball program, now is the perfect time to join our online community. Subscribe now for premium articles, in-depth scouting reports, inside intel, bonus recruiting coverage, and access to KSBoard, our message board featuring thousands of Kentucky fans around the globe. Come join the club right now for 50% off an annual subscription.

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Our top 5 Kentucky Derby contenders as Run for the Roses 2026 nears

Published

2 days ago

April 6, 2026

Press Room

Our top 5 Kentucky Derby contenders as Run for the Roses 2026 nears

Arkansas Derby winner Renegade tops our list of the leading contenders for the 152nd running of the Kentucky Derby.
Further Ado, trained by Brad Cox, joins the top five after a commanding victory in Saturday’s Blue Grass at Keeneland.

After the final weekend of major prep races, we have a projected field for the 152^nd running of the Kentucky Derby on May 2 at Churchill Downs.

Further Ado (Blue Grass), So Happy (Santa Anita Derby) and Albus (Wood Memorial) clinched their spots in the Kentucky Derby with victories on Saturday.

The top 20 horses on the Kentucky Derby points leaderboard are eligible to run, though there usually are injuries and defections in the weeks leading up to the race.

Buy tickets for Kentucky Derby 152 here

Saturday’s Grade 3 Lexington at Keeneland will offer 20 qualifying points to the winner, though that’s not expected to be enough for any of the competitors to jump into the Kentucky Derby field.

With four weeks to go until the Kentucky Derby, here’s our ranking of the top five contenders:

Owners: Robert and Lawana Low; Repole Stable (Mike Repole).

Trainer: Todd Pletcher.

Jockey: Irad Ortiz Jr.

Sire: Into Mischief.

Road to Kentucky Derby points: 125 (No. 3)

Career earnings: $1,031,500.

Last race: Won Grade 1 Arkansas Derby on March 28 at Oaklawn Park.

Likely next race: Grade 1 Kentucky Derby on May 2 at Churchill Downs.

Owner: Wathnan Racing (Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani).

Trainer: Brad Cox.

Jockey: Flavien Prat.

Sire: Into Mischief.

Road to Kentucky Derby points: 150 (No. 1).

Career earnings: $1,017,339.

Last race: Won Grade 1 Florida Derby on March 28 at Gulfstream Park.

Likely next race: Grade 1 Kentucky Derby on May 2 at Churchill Downs.

Owners: OGMA Investments LLC (Gustavo Delgado); JR Ranch (Ramiro Restrepo); High Step Racing LLC (Randy Guy, Joe Noble, Kevin Avera, Jim Ferreira, Todd Perry).

Trainer: Gustavo Delgado.

Jockey: Javier Castellano.

Sire: Essential Quality.

Road to Kentucky Derby points: 106 (No. 6).

Career earnings: $442,280.

Last race: Second in Grade 1 Florida Derby on March 28 at Gulfstream Park.

Likely next race: Grade 1 Kentucky Derby on May 2 at Churchill Downs.

Owner: Spendthrift Farm (Eric Gustavson).

Trainer: Brad Cox.

Jockey: TBA.

Sire: Gun Runner.

Road to Kentucky Derby points: 135 (No. 2).