Throw the ball 'anywhere around' Dane Key and he's coming down with a catch

According to Kentucky football’s official team website, junior wide receiver Dane Key has added 15 pounds to his frame since the start of last season. After beginning his sophomore campaign listed at 195 pounds, the 6-foot-3 Lexington native is up to 210 pounds.

Even in full pads, it’s easy to see just how much bigger Key has gotten throughout the offseason. That was an immediate takeaway from plenty of media members when we got our first look at him in practice earlier this month. He’s currently in the best shape of his life.

Key has been Kentucky’s deep threat option since arriving on campus as an immediate impact freshman in 2022. But some uncharacteristic drops in 2023 spoiled what was otherwise a solid season. With a clear emphasis on building his body since the winter, attacking and holding onto the ball shouldn’t be an issue this time around.

“He can certainly run, but he’s been a guy where if you throw it, anywhere around him, he’s been coming down with it,” New offensive coordinator Bush Hamdan said of Key on Monday. “From a quarterback’s standpoint, it changes your mindset a little bit too on where to place certain balls, where it’s not always maybe trying to lead a guy but it’s like, give him a chance to get up and go make plays.”

🙌 @BrockVandagriff ➡️ @DaneKey6 pic.twitter.com/tU5o9GFX7t

— Kentucky Football (@UKFootball) August 10, 2024

Through two seasons and 26 games played, Key has hauled in 79 catches for 1,115 receiving yards (already ranking 29th overall in school history) and 12 touchdowns. Athlon tabbed him as a Second-team Preseason All-SEC member. Key was already in the conversation as a future NFL Draft pick prior to his weight gain — adding 15 pounds of muscle won’t hurt that case.

“Dane is very consistent, man.” Junior transfer wide receiver Ja’Mori Maclin said on Monday. “I’m trying to learn from him and how he does it.“

As a whole, Kentucky’s wide receiver room under new position coach Daikiel Shorts has been showing out this summer. It’s arguably the biggest collection of talent of pass-catchers that head coach Mark Stoops has had during his tenure at UK (and that doesn’t include a deep tight end room). Key and Barion Brown deservedly draw the headlines, but there is plenty of complementary depth.

“Dogs, man. We got a bunch of dogs in that room.” Ja’Mori Maclin, who has nearly 1,400 career receiving yards, added.

They’ll be in action for the first time this season on Saturday, August 31 against Southern Miss. Only 19 days until kickoff.

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