Kentucky's transfers from Georgia among ESPN's Top 100 Newcomers

Kentucky once again dipped into the transfer portal to restock its roster heading into the 2024 season. As a former five-star recruit and backup quarterback on a two-time national championship squad, Brock Vandagriff‘s name steals the headlines when it comes to Kentucky’s incoming transfers. The Cats’ new QB1 made ESPN’s list of the Top 100 newcomers in college football this season; however, another export from Georgia is ahead of him, cracking the Top 25.

Linebacker Jamon Dumas-Johnson is No. 23 on the list of top transfers or incoming freshmen. The former Bulldog started in 24 straight games at Georgia, including nine last season before suffering a broken left forearm (radius bone) in a win over Missouri. ESPN’s Max Olson and Eli Lederman believe he’ll fill the void left by Trevin Wallace, who was drafted in the third round by the Carolina Panthers.

23. LB Jamon Dumas-Johnson
Transfer: Georgia to Kentucky

“Pop” Dumas-Johnson earned first-team All-America honors as a sophomore on Georgia’s absolutely loaded 2022 defense that won the national championship. He was a 24-game starter at linebacker for Kirby Smart and produced 126 tackles, 17 TFLs and 9.5 sacks. Players with those achievements rarely end up in the portal, but Kentucky is glad he became available. Dumas-Johnson has made a big impression on his new coaches as an ideal replacement for third-round NFL pick Trevin Wallace.

ESPN

Dumas-Johnson also cracked the top 25 of The Athletic’s list of Top 100 transfers last week, coming in at No. 22.

In addition to the Top 25 player rankings, ESPN sorted the top newcomers into groups: impact quarterbacks, offensive playmakers, big men, dynamic defenders, moving up, and freshmen to watch. Vandagriff is among the 15 transfer starting quarterbacks mentioned. Last season, he played in eight games, going 12-18 through the air for 165 yards and a pair of touchdowns. He played his best football agianst Kentucky, going 5-7 for 46 passing yards and a touchdown along with two rushes for 27 yards in Georgia’s 51-13 win.

With a fresh start and the help of Kentucky’s “talented receiving corps,” ESPN believes Vandagriff is ready for the spotlight.

Vandagriff, a former top-50 recruit, has been preparing for his breakout season for three years. He played just 69 snaps at Georgia while backing up Stetson Bennett and Carson Beck but was well regarded within the program. The 6-foot-3, 217-pound junior is ready to show what he can do in the SEC and should benefit from teaming up with the Wildcats’ talented receiving corps.

ESPN

Just five more days until we get to see Vandagriff and Dumas-Johnson make their debuts as Wildcats. Can’t wait.