Transfer Portal Bio Blast: Evan Wibberley

The winter transfer portal window officially opened on Dec. 9. We’ve seen some heavy player movement in this free agency period. Teams are working rapidly to close these fast-paced recruitments.

Kentucky’s top center prospect arrived at the Joe Craft Football Training Facility on Friday. A commitment followed on Sunday.

WKU center Evan Wibberley finished his season on Wednesday night in the Boca Raton Bowl and is now a Cat.

BBN let’s get to work pic.twitter.com/nOXaOucNEr

— Evan Wibberley (@EvanWibbz) December 22, 2024

KSR’s Bio Blast is taking a closer look at the C-USA transfer who is Kentucky’s fourth transfer addition to Eric Wolford‘s offensive line room.

Group of Five high school recruit

Evan Wibberley was a standout at Edgewood (Ky.) Dixie Heights in the 2022 recruiting cycle. The offensive line prospect emerged as a legitimate Group of Five recruit during this cycle. Eastern Michigan, FIU, Marshall, Miami (Ohio), and Middle Tennessee all showing interest. But this recruitment ended the summer before his senior season when Wibberley decided to stay close to home.

The in-state prospect would enroll at WKU and redshirt his true freshman season in 2022. Wibberley spent the large majority of his redshirt freshman year in 2023 as a backup before stepping into the starting lineup in WKU’s bowl game after playing 32 snaps at guard in the last game of the regular season.

A starter in year 3

Evan Wibberley played a key role in WKU’s 28-point comeback in thrilling win at the Famous Toastery Bowl over Old Dominion. A solid performance in his first game as a starter led to Wibberley becoming a full-time starter for WKU at center.

The redshirt sophomore never left the lineup.

Wibberley started all 14 games for WKU in 2024 and played nearly 1,000 snaps. Wibberley did not earn all-conference honors but was consistently one of the best players on an offense that finished the season ranked inside the top 50 in EPA/dropback and passing success rate. Wibberley grade out very well (84.7 at PFF) as a pass blocker and was key piece for head coach Tyson Helton and offensive coordinator Will Friend.

Wibberley left the WKU program after their bowl game loss to James Madison and quickly landed at Kentucky.

Luckett’s Scouting Notebook

Kentucky has a hole to fill at center with three-year starter Eli Cox moving on from the program. This has been a position that the Wildcats have consistently gotten strong play from. Eric Wolford will now ask Evan Wibberley to continue the strong run of center play at Kentucky. The C-USA transfer brings length, athelticism, and experience to the Joe Craft Football Training Facility.

This is my scouting write-up after watching some of Wibberley’s 2024 tape at WKU.

Evan Wibberley (6-5, 296) is a tall center who plays with knee bend and good pad level in both the run and pass game. The interior lineman shows good movement skills and swiftly completes reach blocks and could provide value as a puller. Shows recovery skills in protection. When defeated early, Wibberley’s strong footwork allows him to continue to mirror rushers allowing his hands time to reset. Does get knocked back at times and must increase play strength. Moves very well in the screen game and gets locked on second-level defenders to spring chunk plays. Shows good fight on a down-to-down basis and plays through the whistle. Best suited to play in a zone-heavy run run scheme where he can lean into play strengths of climbing to the second level and completing reach blocks.

Evan Wibberley is an experienced center who put good pass protection production on tape in 2024. There are some play strength concerns that will need to be answered as he moves up in competition, but Wibberley is a smart player that plays with good effort. Bring athleticism to the center position, plays with good leverage, and can move in space.

Will be a highly productive player if he can add strength, mass, and add more power to his game.