Kentucky receiver Raymond Cottrell re-enters transfer portal

Kentucky receiver Raymond Cottrell is back in the transfer portal before ever playing a game with the Wildcats, On3’s Pete Nakos has learned. He transferred to UK via Texas A&M this offseason.

Cottrell spent just one season with the Aggies and appeared in three games to maintain a redshirt season. He will have four years of eligibility remaining after his lone catch of the season was a 13-yard touchdown.

As a recruit, Cottrell was a four-star prospect coming out of Milton High School in Milton, Florida. He ranked as the No. 230 overall player and No. 33 receiver in the 2023 cycle according to the On3 Industry Rating, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.

Cottrell heard from 23 schools the first time he entered the transfer portal, so he’ll have plenty of options on where to go next. Florida, Miami, Tennessee and Auburn were among the programs that reached out to the 6-foot-3 wideout.

Cottrell originally committed to Florida and later Georgia coming out of high school before de-committing from both and landing on Texas A&M. Given the fact that he is a native of the Sunshine State and that Florida expressed interest in him both as a high school recruit and transfer, the Gators could be a destination to watch.

Although it’s certainly a disappointing blow for the Kentucky receiving room, the Wildcats still have plenty of talent returning at the position. Dane Key is back for his junior year after leading the team with 42 catches for 636 yards and six touchdowns this past season, while speedster Barion Brown will provide another elite option.

UK is coming off of a 7-6 finish this past season to make a bowl game for the eighth straight year under Mark Stoops. The Wildcats open the 2024 season on Aug. 31 against Southern Miss.

To keep up with the latest players on the move, check out On3’s Transfer Portal wire. 

The On3 Transfer Portal Instagram account and Twitter account are excellent resources to stay up to date with the latest moves.

More on Kentucky’s transfer portal situation

So far this offseason, Kentucky has added 10 players through the transfer portal while losing 15. The Wildcats rank No. 11 overall and No. 5 in the SEC according to On3’s Transfer Portal Team Rankings.

Former Georgia linebacker Jamon Dumas-Johnson is one of the biggest gets yet, ranking as the No. 34 overall player in the portal according to On3. He finished this past season with 34 tackles (5.5 for loss) and 3.5 sacks across nine games.

Dumas-Johnson wasn’t the only former Bulldog that UK added this offseason. The Wildcats also brought in former Georgia quarterback Brock Vandagriff, who is expected to start.