Ja'Mori Maclin, North Texas WR, Transfers to Kentucky

One of the most explosive wide receivers in the transfer portal has found a new home. North Texas wide receiver Ja’Mori Maclin announced he is transferring to Kentucky. He will have two years of eligibility remaining.

Maclin, the cousin of College Football Hall of Famer Jeremy Maclin, began his career at Missouri. After two years in CoMo he transferred to North Texas. Over the weekend he officially visited Kentucky. Thanks to an assist from new quarterback Brock Vandagriff, Maclin is joining the Big Blue Nation.

“It was a family atmosphere,” Maclin told On3’s Hayes Fawcett. “I really enjoyed being with the coaches and getting to know them. From the start, they’ve shown how much they wanted me to be a part of the program. Took a visit and fell in love with it. The area was nice, they have all the resources that I need. Love the offense as well and I can see myself being productive in whatever role they have me in.”

In 2023 the Mean Green wide receiver was a big-play maker. He caught 57 passes for 1,004 yards and 11 touchdowns. Nobody in the American Athletic Conference made more explosive plays. Maclin caught 11 passes for 30+ yards, ranking 10th in the FBS. The second team all-conference also had five receptions of 50+ yards, the sixth-most in college football. Not too shabby.

One of the most sought after players in the transfer portal, 27 schools were interested in his services. Penn State, Ole Miss, South Carolina and Texas A&M were just a few of the schools that issued official offers to Maclin before Kentucky ultimately won out for the 5-11 athlete.

BREAKING: Former North Texas WR Ja’Mori Maclin has Committed to Kentucky, he tells @on3sports

The 5’11 185 WR had 57 receptions for 1,004 yards and 11 TDs in 2023

One of the Top WRs in the Portal 👀https://t.co/njyLlODgo4 pic.twitter.com/TmcSffrWUf

— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) December 13, 2023

Maclin is Kentucky’s second wide receiver addition from the transfer portal this offseason. Raymond Cottrell also most recently played his college football in the Lone Star State. They may not be finished either. Former Indiana pass-catcher Donaven McCulley officially visited with Maclin over the weekend. There’s also some Kentucky buzz around Houston transfer Matthew Golden.

Kentucky has been searching for a consistent deep play threat for quite some time. Maclin has the speed to play in the slot, but his North Texas tape shows an outside wide receiver that uses his speed to stretch opposing defenses vertically. He can also make contested catchers on back-shoulder throws to the sideline. He will draw Kentucky comparisons to former Wildcat Jeff Badet.

STONE EARLE ➡️ JAMORI MACLIN FOR THE SECOND TIME TODAY!

this 59 yard touchdown pass 🔥🔥#AmericanFB x @MeanGreenFB pic.twitter.com/lykA59g46x

— The American (@American_Conf) September 2, 2023

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