Kentucky WR Ardell Banks enters the NCAA Transfer Portal

Kentucky wide receiver Ardell Banks has entered the NCAA Transfer Portal, On3 has learned. Banks only spent one season with the Wildcats. He did not see any action and opted to redshirt.

Ardell Banks played high school football at Massillon (OH), where he was a three-star prospect. He was the No. 577 overall recruit in the 2023 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.

As a senior at Massillon, Banks tallied 43 receptions for 791 yards and 12 touchdowns. He boosted the team to a 12-2 overall record and the regional championship title in 2022. For his efforts, he was made a first-team Division II All-Star Team member by the Ohio Prep Sportswriters Association.

Banks is the 18th Kentucky player to enter the transfer portal. To soften the blow of its losses, the program has added 10 players in the portal. The Wildcats are currently listed at No. 15 in On3’s Transfer Portal Team Rankings.

Brock Vandagriff makes early impression for Kentucky

Perhaps Kentucky’s most impressive addition in the transfer portal was former Georgia QB Brock Vandagriff. The former five-star prospect looked excellent in Kentucky’s Blue-White Spring Game, picking apart UK’s second-team defense for multiple touchdowns.

“Obviously, there’s still room for improvement but overall pleased,” Vandagriff said after the exhibition. “You don’t want to have a bad game because then you think about all summer, all fall. But I think it was pretty solid.”

Kentucky wide receiver Dane Key is undoubtedly excited to work with Vandagriff.

“Just working with Brock, it’s been very fun,” said Key. “He’s a ballplayer and he’s also a really good leader that we’re so happy to have on this team because he just brings a lot to the table.

“With everybody being around him and all the other guys clicking with him, all the other guys on the team, even the defensive guys, are clicking with Brock. And that’s not really normal but he’s such a good leader that everybody on the team is starting to click with him.”

Sitting behind standouts such as Stetson Bennett and Carson Beck at Georgia, Vandagriff isn’t used to the QB1 role. Earlier this month, he revealed how he’s transitioned into the leadership role.

“I wouldn’t say it’s changed too much because I don’t really see myself as a big rah-rah guy,” Vandagriff said. “Referring back to my buddy Brock Bowers, he didn’t say a word. You go in. You do your job. People know the time you put in. They see that. They respect that and they trust you.

“You’re gonna go make plays on Saturday. Obviously, though, being a quarterback, you have to be a little more vocal. So being able to be a little more vocal with the guys and I just keep on demanding the standard that we have set on offense already.”