Kentucky WR transfer Hardley Gilmore commits to Nebraska

Kentucky wide receiver transfer Hardley Gilmore has committed to Nebraska, per On3’s Pete Nakos.

He follows fellow UK teammate and fellow WR Dane Key to Lincoln to play for Matt Rhule and the Cornhuskers. Reports earlier this week stated that Gilmore was considering a return to Lexington, but has since joined his cohort in Lincoln.

Gilmore was a four-star prospect in the 2024 recruiting class, according to the On3 Industry Rankings, which is a proprietary algorithm that compiles ratings and rankings from all four primary recruiting media services.

He was the No. 387 overall recruiting in last year’s cycle, and the No. 56 wide receiver. He played in five games for Kentucky, so he was unable to preserve a redshirt and will have three years of eligibility remaining for his new team.

Gilmore is the latest wideout the leave the Wildcats football program, of course re-joining forces with Key next season, as well as standout playmaker and kick returner Barion Brown, who has since committed to play for LSU and Brian Kelly.

Together, Brown, Key and Gilmore were three of Kentucky’s leading receivers in 2024. The UK offense struggled mightily in the passing game this past season, which likely led to the mass departure out wide.

For Gilmore, he caught six passes for UK in 2024, but was an explosive-play threat totaling 153 yards and a touchdown during the regular season.

His teammate, Key, is a more established get for Rhule and company. In three seasons with the Wildcats, Key totaled 126 receptions for 1,870 yards and 14 touchdowns. He’ll be looking to bring that same juice to the Huskers in 2025 alongside Gilmore with quarterback Dylan Raiola throwing them the football.

The portal officially opened on Monday, Dec. 9, 2024. More than 2,800 FBS scholarship players entered their names into the NCAA’s transfer database during the 2023-24 school year. Removing those who withdrew or went pro, the final total sat at 2,707 transfers. That means roughly 25 percent of all FBS scholarship players hit free agency in one year, per On3’s Pete Nakos.

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.