Kentucky offers tight end transfer Zach Atkins

The winter transfer portal window does not officially open until Dec. 9, but expect to see some transfer news before that occurs. Players will announce their intentions to enter the portal before that window arrives. We will get a better feel for how this year’s free agency market is taking shape before that window arrives.

But some portal recruiting is going on right now.

Northwest Missouri State tight end Zach Atkins was allowed to officially enter the transfer portal on Nov. 19. Kentucky issued a scholarship offer one day later.

Blessed to receive an offer from the University of Kentucky! @vincemarrow pic.twitter.com/zuWHJteqED

— Zach Atkins (@zachatkins24) November 20, 2024

Ole Miss, Pittsburgh, and Houston have all issued offers to Atkins. The Division II tight end compiled 30 receptions for 360 yards and four touchdowns over the last two seasons. The 6-foot-3 and 240-pound tight end took a redshirt in 2022 becoming a free agent with two years of eligibility remaining.

Kentucky currently has five scholarship tight ends on the roster and each has eligibility to return for the 2025 season. Top-500 recruit Mikkel Skinner is also committed and scheduled to be in the tight end room next season. There doesn’t appear to be much scholarship room at that position, but rosters are fluid in today’s college football landscape. The Wildcats could be expecting some attrition at the position.

This is only the beginning. All signs point to Kentucky aggressively attacking the portal, and the offer to Zach Atkins is just the start. KSR and KSR+ will be here throughout November and December to provide non-stop coverage on Kentucky’s roster-building efforts as a critical offseason is just about to begin at the Joe Craft Football Training Facility.

Want more coverage of the Cats? Join the KSR Club.

KSR has been delivering UK Sports news in the most ridiculous manner for almost two decades. Now, you can get even more coverage of the Cats with KSR+. Now is the perfect time to join our online community. Subscribe now for premium articles, in-depth scouting reports, inside intel, bonus recruiting coverage, and access to KSBoard, our message board featuring thousands of Kentucky fans around the globe. Come join the club.

Take advantage of our KSR+ Introductory Offer to get bonus coverage of the Cats, including game threads, in-depth scouting reports, and the latest recruiting and roster intel. $1 for seven days and 50% off an entire year.