Kentucky Wide Receivers Early Impressions of Daikiel Shorts

Diakiel Shorts was the first of three offseason offensive hires by Mark Stoops. We know he was a star receiver at West Virginia who had a cup of coffee in the league, and we know he spent the last few years cutting his teeth as an assistant at Houston. Last week his new receivers shared what they’ve learned about their new position coach.

“I love that guy,” said former Texas A&M pass-catcher Ray Cottrell. “He’s a very straightforward guy. You could tell when he first came in, he really wanted us to figure it out. He’s not the type of guy to slap you on the butt and tell you good job. He is not really going to say nothing good about you. He’s always going to pick out the bad things, but that’s good. That’s what I want from a receivers coach.”

Like the Kentucky wide receivers, during Cottrell’s first season of college football, his wide receivers coach was a former quarterback. Shorts’ experience playing the position leaves a more lasting impact on his players.

“It’s a different feeling when you know they’ve been at that position of playing at the highest level,” said former North Texas standout Ja’Mori Maclin.

Fred Farrier knows all too well what it’s like to learn from a new coach. This fall will be his third different head coach in three years. The former Franklin County Flyer and UAB Blazer is well-equipped to learn a new offensive system from a relatable position coach.

“So far I like everything I’ve seen from him. He’s kind of like me, kind of laid back, but straight to the point. We work hard,” said Farrier. He’s younger, so I feel like I’m going to be able to relate to him a little more. He has a lot of experience at the college level and played a little bit in the NFL, so really being able to use his skill he’s seen at a high level and implementing it into me.”

Wide Receivers Put an Emphasis on Brotherhood

The Kentucky wide receivers were not always on the same page in 2023. Whether it be with their quarterback or each other, the inconsistency of the UK pass-catchers was a problem. Stoops is investing in the room by adding more talent from the portal and changing the coach who has shared an early mantra for the room, brotherhood.

“The biggest thing for us is brotherhood,” said Cottrell. “Brotherhood is the biggest thing we’ve been speaking about, for each other, holding each other accountable and doing those things.”

It’s inherently difficult to come together when each player is competing for receptions. Barion Brown and Dane Key were Kentucky’s top two targets last fall. Maclin was the bell cow at North Texas. Kentucky is trying to nip this potential problem in the bud before the season begins.

“At the end of the day, we just gotta win as a team. You gotta do what’s best for the team,” said Maclin. “If I have 20 catches, I have 20 catches. If Barion has 50, he has 50. At the end of the day, we gotta win. You have to put your own goals behind and put the team’s goals in front.”

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Shorts Making Lasting Impressions on the Recruiting Trail

A college football assistant coach has two primary responsibilities, talent development and acquisition. Even though he has not been recruiting for long, Shorts seems to be fishing in the right waters.

A New Jersey native, he spent his first few weeks on the road recruiting athletes in the Mid-Atlantic. Shorts also cultivated connections in Texas during his time at Houston. One of those impressive players in his rolodex is Andrew Marsh. Last week the Texas native, who is the No. 19 overall player in the 2025 recruiting class, took an unofficial visit to Lexington.

“UK made an impression and have a chance with me. They are in the mix.” Marsh told 247’s Josh Edwards he plans on officially visiting Kentucky.

“Coach Shorts I have a lot of respect for. I like him and my family does also. One of the biggest differences between there and somewhere is relationship. I just want to go somewhere where I can get my education, play ball, and enjoy life.” 

Pulling a Top 20 player from the state of Texas to Kentucky is a long shot, but it’s clear early in this cycle that Shorts will benefit Kentucky’s recruiting operation.