Transfer Bio Blast: Gerald Mincey

The winter transfer portal window has been closed for a week, but Kentucky is not done adding to the 2024 roster. Decisions are being made now. At the last minute, the Wildcats are hosting a huge SEC transfer visitor this weekend and should have a great shot to lock up a commitment over the weekend.

Tennessee offensive tackle Gerald Mincey entered the transfer portal on Jan. 4 and Ole Miss immediately became a legitimate option. However, Kentucky has quickly made a move and will be the first school the class of 2020 signee will visit. There is a great chance that a commitment occurs this weekend in Lexington.

Tackle is an obvious position of need for Kentucky heading into the 2024 season. Mincey could help fill that big need and raise the floor in Zach Yenser‘s position room. KSR’s Transfer Bio Blast is going to take a closer look at the tackle transfer and what Mincey could bring to Lexington.

Let’s ride.

Former Kentucky commit

Gerald Mincey played high school football at Ft. Lauderdale (Fla.) Cardinal Gibbons. That was the same home of 2019 signees Nik Ognenovic and Nik Scalzo. Former offensive coordinator Eddie Gran had deep ties to South Florida and the Ft. Lauderdale era was a place that Kentucky recruited frequently during his stint in Lexington.

Mincey was a target for Kentucky and the three-star prospect committed to Mark Stoops‘ program in February 2019 after being on campus for Kentucky’s junior day in January. However, that commitment would be broken one month later after a flood of offers and additional junior day visits to Florida, Miami, and UCF.

In the summer, Mincey would take an official visit to Florida and would commit to Dan Mullen‘s program at the end of that visit and ultimately signed with the Gators in December.

Gerald Mincey received a legitimate SEC recruitment and is already familiar with Kentucky’s program.

Two-time transfer

Gerald Mincey spent two seasons at Florida playing for Dan Mullen’s program. After taking a redshirt season in 2022, the three-star prospect played in 10 games (49 offensive snaps) with most action coming on special teams. However, the Gators made a coaching change in November and Mincey entered the transfer portal after the season.

1000% COMMITTED TO THE UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE #GBO #Vols #PowerT 🍊🍊🍊🍊🍊🍊🍊

— G1 (@GeraldMincey) December 10, 2021

The SEC transfer was a plug-and-play starter at left tackle for a Tennessee offense that finished the 2022 season ranked No. 1 in red zone touchdown percentage, No. 2 in yards per play, and No. 7 in points per drive. Injuries caused the transfer to miss some time. Mincey returned to Tennessee in 2023 and was asked to play both tackle spots. Most of his action in six starts came at right tackle.

After originally announcing a return to Tennessee, Mincey entered the transfer portal in January and is looking to find a third college football home one week later. The redshirt senior will bring 1,084 career snaps, positional versatility, and starting experience to his third college football home.

Scouting Notebook

Over his two years at Tennessee, Gerald Mincey has logged a high volume of game reps at both tackle spots. To take a closer look at the player that Kentucky is currently zoning in on, we went back and checked out the tape.

Here is my scouting summary of Mincey after watching full games against Kentucky (right tackle) and Iowa (left tackle) from 2023.

Playing in Josh Heupel’s NASCAR veer-and-shoot spread offense with extreme spacing, Gerald Mincey (6-6, 337) brought positional flexibility to the lineup. The experienced tackle is a good drive blocker that can displace defensive lineman in one-on-one situations and create movement on double teams. His double-team block against Deone Walker versus Kentucky in the first quarter set up Tennessee’s explosive rushing touchdown. Pulls under control in gap schemes and can complete reach blocks. Plays with a wide base allowing him to block linebackers and knifing slot corners as a puller. Can sink hips to create movement. Not many true pass pro sets in Tennessee’s play-action heavy offense. Does a good job mirroring defenders and can handle power rushers in pass pro. Could have more issues with bendy edge rushers who can turn the corner. Looked more comfortable at right tackle. Is a back bender in protection that can leave him susceptible to quick counter moves and stunts. Big lineman with a thick lower half that can provide value in a downhill run game.

KSR Scouting Report

When projecting to the NFL, Gerald Mincey is likely better suited at guard but Kentucky has succeeded with some guard projections (George Asafo-Adjei, Darian Kinnard) playing right tackle. Mincey could be an upgrade as a run blocker but his career pressure rate allowed (5.3%) was not good. Kentucky will ask the transfer to complete more traditional pass sets and that is box he will have to check.

A top goal for Liam Coen‘s offense is to be able to run the football with more efficiency in 2024. Mincey can help with that. This is a big lineman who can move bodies at the point of attack. If added, the Tennessee transfer will immediately compete with Courtland Ford for the starting right tackle spot. The transfer also could owns the skill set to be a productive guard if Kentucky wanted to use him there.

Kentucky could land a big offensive line addition this weekend.