Film Room: Shamar Porter

Remember when wide receiver was a major position of weakness for the Kentucky football program? That appears to be a thing of the past now.

After landing top-100 prospect Barion Brown out of Nashville (Tenn.) Pearl-Cohn, Kentucky has dipped back into the city to land Nashville (Tenn.) Ensworth wide receiver Shamar Porter.

The rising junior announced his commitment to the Wildcats on Friday to give Kentucky its third commitment in the 2023 class. Porter took an unofficial visit to Kentucky for the New Mexico State game on Nov. 19 and immediately earned an offer.

Despite some heavy interest from Ole Miss and a recent offer from Georgia, Kentucky secured a verbal commitment from Porter and again log another recruiting win in Nashville.

What will this outside receiver with explosive athletic traits bring to Kentucky? Step into the KSR Film Room to find out.

Last season, Shamar Porter finished the year with 29 receptions for 446 yards and six touchdowns before missing the postseason run with a torn labrum. However, when in the lineup, Porter flashed big-play ability that produced a 15.4 yards per reception average.

On the out breaker, Porter makes a violent cut at top of the route and that creates instant separation. The big wideout then flashes catch radius, change of direction, yards after contact, and balance. Here’s the entire package in one rep.

Explosive gains can be created in multiple ways. Porter can make some plays on short-to-intermediate throws.

Perhaps the best trait that Shamar Porter has right now is his contact balance. The big outside wide receiver is not easy to tackle and shows agility on the sideline. Those traits will be enhanced in a college program.

The ability to run through contact while maintaining balance could translate into route-running technique. That could be very valuable for the wide receiver prospect down the road.

However, the ability to get open and make plays deep must be there for any outside receiver. Shamar Porter is not the fastest prospect, but the rising junior consistently got behind off-coverage on tape.

On the go route, the quarterback puts it up for his top receiver and Porter makes a play for his team. The prospect has the needed ball skills and leaping ability to be a consistent threat in the vertical passing game.

Shamar Porter is a three-sport athlete that also contributes in basketball and track and field. The blue-chip prospect has good enough speed combined with some explosive athletic traits that make the 2023 prospect an intriguing recruit.

Similar to Alabama transfer Javon Baker, Porter has the size and release ability to succeed as an X receiver at the next level. His leaping ability makes him an attractive jump ball weapon with a strong catch radius to create a big target against zone coverage.

There is a lot to like about Shamar Porter as Kentucky has landed its sixth blue-chip prospect at wideout in the last three recruiting hauls.