Former Vanderbilt OT Gunnar Hansen to Visit Kentucky

Kentucky is casting a wide net in its search for offensive tackles. The latest transfer portal target is one the coaching staff is quite familiar with.

Sources tell KSR that former Vanderbilt offensive tackle Gunnar Hansen is expected to officially visit Kentucky next week. A three-year starter on the Commodores’ offensive line with more than 2,200 career snaps under his belt, Hansen has one season of eligibility remaining.

A 6-foot-5, 330-pound offensive lineman from Boca Raton, FL., he was a low-three-star recruit when he picked Vanderbilt over Toledo and UNLV in the class of 2021. Following his redshirt season, he played his way into a starting role at left tackle for Vanderbilt, then finished the season at left guard. He started in all 12 games of the 2023 season at left tackle. This fall he got some run at left and right tackle. He was SEC Offensive Lineman of the Week and Outland Trophy National Player of the Week following a standout performance against Alabama.

The experienced SEC starter is the 18th-ranked offensive tackle in the transfer portal, according to the On3 Transfer Portal Rankings.

Kentucky is not the only school he’s considering. Colorado and Michigan appear to be in the mix. The big one to watch is Florida State. Hansen will be in Tallahassee prior to his planned visit to Lexington and there’s a chance he may not leave without committing to Florida State.

The last Vanderbilt transfer, Ray Davis, worked out pretty well for the Wildcats. Going back to that well is probably a good idea.

On a completely unrelated note, Gunnar Hansen is the name of the actor who played Leatherface in the original Texas Chainsaw Massacre. Fortunately, this Hansen uses much different tactics to brutalize opponents.

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