Mark Stoops reveals long-term injury to Hardley Gilmore

Kentucky Wildcats wide receiver Hardley Gilmore is going to be out for a long period of time this season, according to head coach Mark Stoops.

While Stoops wasn’t clear at this point with the exact details of the injury, he did admit that it’s going to be a long-term injury for Gilmore and that he’ll be out until at least the middle of the 2024 season.

“You’re gonna find out and you know I disclose a lot anyway,” Mark Stoops said. “I’m pretty open with it when guys are gonna be out for a significant amount of time, and Hardley will be out for a decent bit. It’ll be at least midseason or more.”

Hardley Gilmore played his high school football at Pahokee in Florida. There, he was a four-star recruit and the 56th-ranked wide receiver overall in the Class of 2024, according to the On3 Industry Ranking. He also reclassified from the Class of 2025 to the Class of 2024.

To this point in the Spring and Summer, Hardley Gilmore had been impressing people around the program and there was some thought he’d be able to contribute early in his college career.

Luckily, Mark Stoops is confident in Kentucky’s wide receiver room’s ability to withstand this injury. However, if there are too many more injuries then the team’s depth is going to be tested.

“We’ve got good depth at that position. As I’ve mentioned before, I really believe in the guys we have. It’s just total numbers,” Stoops said. “You can’t start losing more because then you’re into a problem with capacity of practice. How much can they handle? Because as I’ve mentioned we have four quarterbacks who need reps. Well, we’ve got to have guys that function at a high level and help them out.”

Injuries adding up for Mark Stoops, Kentucky

Kentucky is also already dealing with several injuries on both sides of the ball aside from Hardley Gilmore. Running back Chip Trayanum is also expected to miss at least one or two games with a broken hand. On top of that, Mark Stoops pointed to several defenders dealing with injuries.

“Josaih Hayes will be out for an extended period of time. Tavion Gadson, who filled in as a young d-lineman last year for Josiah… he’ll be out for an extended period of time,” Stoops said.

“These are either going to be the full year or close to it. The same with Quavo Marshall at corner. And then Darrion Henry-Young at defensive line, as well.”