Kentucky Football Countdown: No. 80 Brenden Bates

The Kentucky football countdown is almost three weeks old. We’ve reached Brenden Bates‘ No. 80, a jersey that has produced three players in the UK Ring of Honor.

Rick Kestner (63-65) — A two-time first team All-SEC selection, in 1964 he set the school record for receptions. His best game was in one of the greatest upsets in school history. Kestner had nine catches for 185 yards and three touchdowns to help Kentucky upset No. 1 Mississippi, 27-21, in Jackson.

Tom Hutchinson (60-62) — The split end was a three-time All-SEC selection, ending his Kentucky career with school records in receptions (94) and receiving yards (1,483), averaging 15.9 yards per reception and scoring nine touchdowns.

Steve Meilinger (51-53) — Known as Mr. Everything, he played four positions for Bear Bryant, two on each side of the line of scrimmage. A two-time First Team All-American, Meilinger is one of just seven Wildcats inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame.

About Bates

One of a few talented Wildcats from Cincinnati Moeller High School, ESPN ranked Bates as the No. 12 tight end in the 2018 recruiting class. Since arriving on campus, Bates has hit the weight room. You can hardly recognize the guy you will see on Saturdays vs. the one who initially committed to Kentucky five years ago. He’s currently listed at 6-foot-5, 255 pounds.

Bates Career Highlight

An injury prevented Bates from regularly entering the rotation in 2020. Last year he made up for lost time, stepping up in Keaton Upshaw‘s absence. Bates started in six of the 12 games and caught 11 passes for 70 yards and his first career touchdown in the season-opener against Louisiana-Monroe.

Brenden Bates Fun Fact

If Rich Scangarello needs someone to do the worm on the field to distract the defense, Bates’ number will be called. Forwards or backwards, it’s not problem for Bates.

The big reveal you've all been waiting for…

🚨 BRENDEN BATES DOES THE BEST WORM WE'VE EVER SEEN 🚨 pic.twitter.com/BtGTXSrDPt

— BBN Tonight (@BBNTonight) April 14, 2021

2022 Forecast

Bates is Vince Marrow’s resident meathead and that’s not a knock on the tight end. Not every tight end can be a glorified big receiver. Kentucky’s run game needs someone that is not afraid to get downhill and put a linebacker on his back. As Scangarello implements more fullback usage, Bates’ role could grow. He will likely leak out and catch a couple red zone touchdowns this fall, but even if he doesn’t pad the stat sheet, Bates will be a significant contributor at the line of scrimmage.