Kentucky Transfer Portal Watch: Dartmouth DL Shane Cokes

We’ve officially entered the homestretch of the final 24 hours of the 2023 recruiting calendar. Even though some players will still sign in February, the main course will be served up when the Early Signing Period begins tomorrow. While most of the college football world’s focus is on high school prospects, many schools will also announce the addition of transfer portal players. Former Dartmouth defensive lineman Shane Cokes might be among Kentucky’s new additions.

Cokes is a two-time second team All-Ivy League selection for the Big Green. A 6-foot-3, 275-pound athlete from nearby Dayton, OH, he was Ohio Southwest Division III defensive player of the year as a senior at Chaminade-Julien in 2018. He could have up two years of eligibility remaining at his new school.

During the active recruiting period Kentucky hosted Shane Cokes for a visit in Lexington. It may have done enough to convince him to trade in his Big Green for some Big Blue.

Kentucky is currently light on defensive line prospects in its 2023 recruiting class. Tommy Ziesmer is currently the only player committed, but he could soon be joined by Tavion Gadson, a three-star prospect from Savannah that decommitted from Florida State on Tuesday. There’s also an outside shot Kendrick Gilbert may join the fold.

Shane Cokes has spent his collegiate career primarily as a havoc creator from the 3-technique, essentially lining up over the offensive guard as a defensive tackle. A little lighter in the britches than mot SEC 3-techniques, he’s also put on tape an ability to pass rush from the outside in a defensive end’s 5-technique.

This year Cokes was third on the team in tackles with 53 and led Dartmouth in tackles for loss (8.5) and sacks (4.5). He was productive the year prior as well, tallying 5.5 TFLs and 4.0 sacks. If Kentucky needs another weapon in the trenches, they could do much worse than the bright Ivy Leaguer that brings production and positional versatility to the table.