Kentucky Preseason Depth Chart Projection: Offense

Former Washington and Boise State offensive coordinator Bush Hamdan is in the middle of his first training camp at Kentucky, and we’re starting to learn more about what this first offense could look like under the former Boise State quarterback with multiple years of SEC coaching experience. Some spring transfer additions have changed the two-deep we originally published after spring practice.

Some position battles are beginning to become clearer. Let’s dive into KSR’s two-deep where the Wildcats are expected to start five first-year transfers this fall.

Kentucky Depth Chart: Offense

Quarterback

1. Brock Vandagriff (6-3, 217, Redshirt Junior)
2. Gavin Wimsatt (6-3, 227, Redshirt Junior)

Kentucky landed Georgia transfer Brock Vandagriff in December to be the program’s next starting quarterback but double-dipped after spring practice to find a high-floor backup. Gavin Wimsatt was a multi-year starter at Rutgers who can add value as a runner. All expectations are for the Owensboro (Ky.) High product to have a package, but this is Vandagriff’s show.

Running Back

1. Chip Trayanum (5-11, 227, Redshirt Senior)
2. Demie Sumo-Karngbaye (6-0, 210, Senior) OR Jason Patterson (5-10, 206, Freshman)

Kentucky landed Ohio State transfer Chip Trayanum from the transfer portal, and the recruiting pitch was to allow him to be a true RB1 for the first time in his career after playing behind NFL backs at Arizona State and Ohio State. Kentucky needs him to be good. A two-way battle is going on at RB2, but expect Demie Sumo-Karngbaye and Jason Patterson to play. The latter might be the biggest wild card on offense.

Wide Receiver

1. Barion Brown (6-1, 182, Junior)
2. Dane Key (6-3, 210, Junior)
3. Ja’Mori Maclin (5-11, 190, Redshirt Senior)
4. Anthony Brown-Stephens (5-10, 176, Sophomore)
5. Hardley Gilmore IV (6-1, 178, Freshman)
6. Fred Farrier II (6-1, 182, Redshirt Junior)

Barion Brown and Dane Key are the top two returnees and are expected to lead Kentucky targets again. North Texas transfer Ja’Mori Maclin was added to the roster to give the passing game a big three. The biggest question for Daikiel Shorts Jr. is how the rotation shakes out after that. Anthony Brown-Stephens, Hardley Gilmore IV, and UAB transfer Fred Farrier II are all competing for snaps.

Tight End

1. Josh Kattus (6-4, 246, Junior)
2. Jordan Dingle (6-4, 242, Redshirt Junior)
3. Khamari Anderson (6-5, 252, Sophomore)

Josh Kattus and Jordan Dingle should really be considered co-starters. Khamari Anderson should also have a big role in this offense. The expectation is for true freshman Willie Rodriguez to play in year one. Kentucky’s offense could live in 12 personnel as tight end is one of the deepest positions on the team in the preseason.

Left Tackle

1. Marques Cox (6-5, 318, Super)
2. Courtland Ford (6-6, 327, Redshirt Senior)

Former Northern Illinois transfer Marques Cox is back for year two at Kentucky and enters the season as one of the top left tackles in the SEC. Former USC transfer Courtland Ford is also in year two and should enter the season as Kentucky’s swing tackle.

Left Guard

1. Jager Burton (6-4, 316, Redshirt Junior)
2. Aba Selm (6-4, 303, Freshman)

Former blue-chip recruit Jager Burton is now in year four and will enter the season as a three-year starter. Kentucky needs the local product to make a big leap. Early enrollee Aba Selm continues to impress and is currently running with the second unit at left guard. The future is bright for the Independence (Ky.) Simon Kenton product.

Center

1. Eli Cox (6-4, 309, Super)
2. Koby Keenum (6-4, 302, Redshirt Freshman)

Class of 2019 signee Eli Cox is now in year six at Kentucky and will be a four-year starter in 2024. Kentucky will ask a lot of their veteran in the pivot. Koby Keenum is back after a redshirt season and appears to have locked down the backup center position.

Right Guard

1. Jalen Farmer (6-5, 314, Redshirt Sophomore)
2. Dylan Ray (6-6, 310, Redshirt Junior)

Florida transfer Jalen Farmer quickly locked down a starting position upon arrival at Kentucky and seems to have a high ceiling. Dylan Ray gives the Wildcats a high-floor backup at guard after starting 10 games last season.

Right Tackle

1. Gerald Mincey (6-6, 335, Redshirt Senior)
2. Anfernee Crease (6-6, 315, Redshirt Sophomore)

Tennessee transfer Gerald Mincey was added to the Kentucky roster to fill a starting spot, and the South Florida native has settled in at right tackle. Junior college transfer Anfernee Crease was a summer arrival but is already receiving snaps with the second unit. Kentucky will need a strong development year for Crease so the Texas native can take over a starting spot next season.