Transfer Portal Bio Blast: David Gusta

The winter transfer portal window closed on Dec. 28. We’ve seen some heavy player movement in this free agency period. Teams are working rapidly to close these fast-paced recruitments and are currently hosting prospects on visits before the spring semester begins.

Kentucky closed on a big-time target over the weekend. Washington State transfer David Gusta picked the Wildcats over Tennessee and Texas A&M.

BREAKING: Washington State transfer DL David Gusta has Committed to Kentucky, he tells @on3sports

The 6’3 315 DL totaled 62 Tackles, 1.5 Sacks, & 4 PD in his time with the Cougars

Ranked as the No. 2 DL in the Portal (per On3)

Was the Top Available DLhttps://t.co/RlUbB6Fk7q pic.twitter.com/Gc4YINzMlr

— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) January 5, 2025

One of the top defensive tackle prospects to become available this transfer cycle will be playing in Lexington next season. What did the Wildcats add to the defensive front? KSR’s Transfer Portal Bio Blast is taking a closer look at the latest addition to UK’s defensive line room.

Three-star recruit lands at Washington State

David Gusta was a three-star prospect in the class of 2021. The defensive tackle starred as a sophomore and junior at Grand Terrace (Calif.) High before transferring to San Bernardino (Calif.) Cajon as a senior. The Southern California native saw his recruitment start to pickup during his sophomore year.

Washington State issued an offer to Gusta in May 2019. UCLA hosted the defensive line prospect for a camp workout the summer before his junior year. Some Group of Five offers then began to roll in the spring of Gusta’s junior year during the COVID-19 pandemic. California did not have a high school football season in 2020 taking away another potential year of tape for this three-star recruit.

Arizona entered the chat late before Gusta committed to Washington State in July 2020. Gusta would stick to that commitment.

Two-year starter at Washington State

David Gusta took a redshirt season in 2021 during his first year on campus. During that year, head coach Nick Rolovich and a few other assistant coaches were fired by Washington State for not following state COVID-19 guidelines. That led to defensive coordinator Jake Dickert becoming Wazzu’s permanent head coach in the middle of the season.

Gusta would ultimately thrive in Pullman playing for Dickert and defensive coordinator Jeff Schmedding in this 4-2-5 scheme.

The defensive tackle played in 10 games (176 defensive snaps) as a redshirt freshman and recorded 11 tackles with one tackle for loss. Gusta became a full-time starter in 2023 and played 501 snaps over 11 games. The defensive tackle finished his redshirt sophomore campaign with 30 tackles and two tackles for loss. Gusta saw an increased in production again as a redshirt junior by recording career highs in snaps (579) and pressures (29).

David Gusta entered the transfer portal on Dec. 19 and committed to Kentucky less than three weeks later.

Luckett’s scouting notebook

Defensive line depth was an issue for the Kentucky football program last season. The Wildcats suffered multiple injuries during spring practice and saw a big drop off at the line of scrimmage once the season got into October and November.

Kentucky has now double-dipped in the portal at defensive tackle with David Gusta and Jaden Williams (Wyoming) joining the program. The latest addition gives the Wildcats some more beef inside along with some pass rush juice.

This is my scouting write-up on Kentucky’s latest transfer addition.

David Gusta (6-3, 302) started at defensive tackle in Washington State’s even front. The interior player played an assortment of alignments including a shaded nose. Could fill snaps at nose tackle in an odd front. Squatty defensive tackle with a thick lower base. Plays with good pad level. Can torque body to split double teams in run game and pass protection. Shows explosion out of stance and can shoot gaps. Owns knockback power when lined up one-on-one with a guard or center.

Holding the point against double teams in the run game will be a question mark but David Gusta is a good mover with power who should make a good one-two punch with Josaih Hayes at nose tackle.