Dane Key looks back at decision, family impact on choosing to play for Kentucky

Kentucky Blue runs through Dane Key’s blood. During an appearance on “The Paul Finebaum Show” on Thursday, the junior wide receiver pulled back the curtain on his decision to commit to Kentucky in 2021.

“I’ve had a couple family members come through the University of Kentucky, my dad being the main one who came through here. Also, my mom came to school here, so I was kind of tied in with Kentucky,” Key said. “Not only did I have my parents come to the University of Kentucky, but I also had a couple of old teammates from high school that came to the University of Kentucky before me.

“Those guys were always in my ear to come, and my mom and my grandma — all my family members were in my ear about staying close to home and being somewhere they can watch every game.”

Key’s father, Donte, was a UK linebacker/defensive end from 1992-95. He was National Defensive Player of the Week for his performance in the 1994 inaugural Governor’s Cup game against Louisville. While Dane Key hauls in passes instead of deflecting them, he’s found similar success as his predecessor.

Dane Key was a familiar name in Kentucky households before he ever committed to head coach Mark Stoops. Key was the No. 1 recruit in Bluegrass State his senior season and was named Class 5A Player of the Year as picked by the Kentucky Football Coaches Association.

Dane Key chose this path

Dane Key was a familiar name in Kentucky households before he ever committed to head coach Mark Stoops. Key was the No. 1 recruit in Bluegrass State his senior season and was named Class 5A Player of the Year as picked by the Kentucky Football Coaches Association.

Despite Key’s familial ties to the university, he told Finebaum he never felt forced to commit to UK.

“They were gonna support me wherever I went to school,” Key said. “Just having the opportunity to be able to play in front of my home state and being able to see my family — I have to do a lot of begging in the locker room before games to ask for tickets.

“Because where I’m so close to home, everybody needs tickets in the family. So, I’m always scrambling around the locker room looking for a ticket so that the whole family can be there.”

Key ultimately chose Kentucky over South Carolina, Oregon, Western Kentucky and Michigan. He never looked back. On Saturday, fans can catch their first glimpse of Key’s third season as he’ll take the field for Kentucky’s annual Blue-White Spring Game.