KSR Today: Two New Kentucky Football Additions End Offseason Roster Moves

The Kentucky football team kept things quiet near the conclusion of the second transfer portal window. On Tuesday the Wildcats finished by making a big splash. Mark Stoops added two players, giving Kentucky a complete 85-scholarship roster for the 2023 season, effectively ending their search for new talent.

Demie Sumo-Karngbaye is following in Devin Leary’s footsteps from NC State to Kentucky. Another New Jersey native who finished his season sidelined by injury, the “Slimy Shark” showed plenty of potential in his first season as a significant contributor in 2022. He had 79 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown against East Carolina, and 147 all-purpose yards and two scores (one through the air and on the ground) in a win over Texas Tech. A true two-way threat, he has three years of eligibility remaining.

Like the running back, Kevin Larkins Jr. gives the Wildcats a significant long-term developmental piece with three years of eligibility. As a true freshman, the lengthy defensive back led Division II in interceptions per game with eight picks. It’s the second straight year Kentucky has snagged a defensive back from Livingstone College, following in the footsteps of CB Jordan Robinson.

There could be some scholarship maneuvering to potentially make way for one more addition, but it feels like this is it for Kentucky’s offseason moves. The Cats capped it off by adding a couple of guys they may not need to make plays right away on Saturdays, yet could develop into stars down the stretch.

Former Kentucky OT Finds a New Home

The guys who gave up their scholarships to make way for Kentucky’s new additions are finding new homes. David Wohlabaugh will attend his father’s alma mater, Syracuse. Meanwhile, offensive tackle Deondre Buford is playing for the former enemy, Scott Satterfield. Buford shared on Tuesday he’ll be taking his talents to Cincinnati.

Pat McAfee on the Move to ESPN

The biggest transfer portal move this offseason is in the sports media world. The Pat McAfee Show is taking its talents to the Worldwide Leader. The show is leaving FanDuel in the second year of a four-year, $120 million deal to find a new home on ESPN, ESPN+ and the ESPN YouTube Channel. You’ll be able to find it simulcasted on all there platforms once First Take wraps. If you were a fan of the program, only one thing will change in the content: the new Disney employees have promised to cut back on the F-bombs. Let the leader of the three-ring circus explain more behind the move to ESPN.

Spurs Win the NBA Draft Lottery

David Robinson. Tim Duncan. Now, Victor Wembanyama. Greg Popovich and the San Antonio Spurs win the jackpot by securing the top pick in this summer’s NBA Draft. Now former Wildcat Keldon Johnson will get to team up with a 7-foot-4 athlete with ball skills. The best of the best are never too far from the top for too long. A look at the entire early draft order:

1. San Antonio Spurs (Keldon Johnson)
2. Charlotte Hornets (Nick Richards, PJ Washington)
3. Portland Trail Blazers (Shaedon Sharpe)
4. Houston Rockets (TyTy Washington)
5. Detroit Pistons (Hamidou Diallo)
6. Orlando Magic
7. Indiana Pacers (Isaiah Jackson)
8. Washington Wizards
9. Utah Jazz
10. Dallas Mavericks
11. Orlando Magic
12. Oklahoma City Thunder (Shai Gilgeous-Alexander)
13. Toronto Raptors
14. New Orleans Pelicans

Former Kentucky Wildcats in the Conference Finals

Jamal Murray had the upper hand at home over the Los Angeles Lakers’ UK triumvirate — Anthony Davis, Jarred Vanderbilt and Wenyen Gabriel. Murray scored 31 points and the Nuggets were victorious 132-126 in game 1 of the Western Conference Finals. The Eastern Conference Finals tip-off tonight with Bam Adebayo and the Miami Heat traveling to Boston. Catch the action on TNT, beginning at 8:30 pm EST.

Preakness Picks

In the Money Media‘s Peter T. Fornatale shared some Kentucky Derby insight to create one of the most watched videos in the history of the KSR YouTube Channel. That means we had to run it back for the second leg of the Triple Crown. Mage is racing for history and PTF isn’t pushing all of his shekels in on the Kentucky Derby winner. Tune in to find where the smart money is trying to find an edge this weekend at Pimlico Race Course.

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Adopt Puppies with Kentucky Football Players

Do you like Kentucky football? What about puppies? You can get a double dose this Friday from 11-2 pm when a plethora of current players — like the Dingles and big Josh Kattus — will be in Georgetown (Community Trust Bank, 315 Pleasant View Dr.) for a pet adoption drive with the Scott County Humane Society. In addition to the Chi-weenie puppies, there will be some wild cats with the Wildcats. You can find more information at sc4paws.org.