Dane Key is playing like one of the SEC's best wide receivers

Brock Vandagriff has found his go-to wide target. Junior wide receiver Dane Key has not only established himself as Kentucky’s top pass-catcher but as one of the best in a loaded Southeastern Conference.

Following his eight-reception, 105-yard, one-touchdown performance in the Wildcats’ upset win over Ole Miss on Saturday, Key is now up to 369 receiving yards this season. That ranks the Lexington native at sixth-most in the SEC, just two yards behind LSU’s Aaron Anderson for fifth. It marked the first time in Key’s career that he’s hauled in back-to-back games with at least 100 receiving yards. He also pulled down 145 yards on seven catches last week against Ohio. Eight catches against Ole Miss set a new career-high.

Despite a slow-ish start, Key has burst onto the stage over the last couple of games. He’s averaging 16 yards per reception. His touchdown catch right before the first half against Ole Miss gave Kentucky a 10-7 lead at the break. It was also his 100th career college reception. Even while being held on multiple plays by the Rebels’ secondary (he drew three defensive penalties in the first half alone), Key found ways to make big plays.

Whether it’s gliding across the middle of the field, tip-toeing the sidelines, or rising over defenders for highlight grabs, Key is doing a little bit of everything as Vandagriff’s main target. Pro Football Focus ranks Key as the 17th-best wide-out in the country so far this season with an “A” grade.

SEC Receiving Yard Leaders after Week 5 pic.twitter.com/3KzHh5nsIa

— SEC Mike (@MichaelWBratton) September 30, 2024

Barion Brown‘s fourth-down catch against Ole Miss, which led to Kentucky’s game-winning touchdown, will be remembered above all else, but Key is the one making regular contributions. He caught at least two passes in the first, second, and third quarters in the win over the Rebels. It was revenge for his game-winning touchdown against Ole Miss in 2022 that was called back due to a penalty.

“I’m just super glad that the offense is clicking. I don’t really care if it is me,” Key said after the Ole Miss win. “I just really hope the offense just keeps continuing to click, as long as somebody is making plays.”

Key is quickly moving up the program’s all-time list. He’s now in the top 10 with 1,524 career receiving yards, good enough for ninth-most. At this rate, he’ll finish the season among the top five all-time as a Wildcat. He’s the 21st Kentucky player with at least 100 catches in his career (Brown also joined that club this season).

He might not have the overall numbers of Ole Miss’ Tre Harris or the undeniable skill of Alabama’s true freshman Ryan Williams, but Key is playing his way into an NFL Draft pick as we’re nearly halfway through Kentucky’s season.

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