Alabama transfer Kristian Story commits to Kentucky

Kentucky football is always good for a surprise or two when it comes to recruiting. Kentucky nearly flipped Jonathan Daniels from Florida State in the early signing period. On Wednesday, the Wildcats pulled off their biggest surprise of this transfer portal cycle.

Alabama defensive back Kristian Story is the newest member of Kentucky’s secondary.

#GoBigBlue pic.twitter.com/FO2lk0afUJ

— Kristian Story (@only1kstory) January 10, 2024

Story (6-1, 211) was a top-200 recruit in the class of 2020 out of Lanet (Ala.) High. After taking a redshirt year on Alabama’s national championship team in 2020, Story played 12 games as a redshirt freshman in 2021 mostly on special teams. As a redshirt sophomore, Story emerged as a reserve safety. The veteran would keep that role in 2023 as a redshirt junior. Story earned his first start against Kentucky with starting safety Jaylen Key missing the game. The defensive back finished the contest with four tackles and one tackle for loss.

The redshirt senior with two years of eligibility remaining entered the transfer portal just two days after Alabama’s loss to Michigan in the Rose Bowl. One week later, Kristian Story ended his short transfer portal recruitment with a commitment to Kentucky.

Kentucky has been looking for secondary help throughout the transfer portal process. Kristian Story is an addition who could provide immediate help at nickel after Andru Phillips entered the 2024 NFL Draft. The Wildcats have now added eight scholarship transfers this offseason. Story becomes just the second defensive member of the transfer class joining Georgia linebacker Jamon Dumas-Johnson.

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