Brenden Bates returns to Kentucky football for sixth year

Kentucky‘s tight end room just got more talented and deeper in 2023. In a surprise move to open the offseason, fifth-year senior Brenden Bates has announced he will be returning to school for his sixth and final year of eligibility.

It’s a move the Cincinnati native says comes as a result of missing valuable time on the field with a shoulder injury, racking up stats in just six games for the Wildcats in 2022. With unfinished business in Lexington, Bates is back for one more year.

“The game of football has been a part of my life for a long time and has blessed me with so many opportunities,” he announced Thursday. “Battling this shoulder injury caused me to miss precious games which never sat right with me. I have unfinished goals that I want to obtain for myself and for this team.

“Therefore, I am announcing my return to play as a Kentucky Wildcat — my return will allow me to develop further and pursue my dreams of the NFL. I love this team and Big Blue Nation, let’s make the 2023 season a great year!”

#BBN #year6 #oldman pic.twitter.com/E78grJ9U5v

— Brenden Bates (@BatesBrenden) January 5, 2023

Bates finished his senior campaign with ten catches for 99 yards and one touchdown, good for an average of 9.9 yards per reception. He had four multi-reception games, including a 46-yard performance vs. Youngstown State in September.

While he was technically active in 11 games, he was extremely limited after suffering a torn labrum in preseason camp. It was an injury that resulted in surgery to close out the season on December 9, forcing him to miss Kentucky’s bowl game.

“I played till I couldn’t and got surgery,” he announced leading up to the Music City Bowl.

In three total seasons for Kentucky, Bates has racked up 22 catches for 183 yards and two touchdowns.

The 6-foot-5, 265-pound tight end returns to a room that includes freshmen standouts Jordan Dingle and Josh Kattus, the former finishing with 20 catches for 220 yards and three scores in 2023 and the latter adding seven catches for 125 yards. Louisville native Izayah Cummings is also expected back with the anticipated return of Liam Coen as offensive coordinator following a strong debut campaign in 2021.

Kentucky also added three-star tight ends Khamari Anderson and Tanner Lemaster in its 2023 high school signing class.

As we saw this past year, the youth movement at the position will continue next season, but it never hurts to have a veteran contributor like Bates leading the group.