Transfer Portal FAQs: How Much Will It Cost for Kentucky to Reload its Roster?

College football free agency is right around the corner. The transfer portal is filled with surprises, but no matter what happens between now and Dec. 9, Kentucky will be in the market to add a significant number of players.

Before answering some questions, let me remind you that there are no rules or norms. The portal doesn’t officially open until Dec. 9, but players will announce ahead of time. Things change quickly and predicting the moves is a challenge, so we’ll try to simply answer the basics to prepare you on how to react appropriately as Kentucky tries to flip its roster.

How many portal players will Kentucky lose?

That’s a question Mark Stoops is currently trying to answer. In most years, the Wildcats pick up between 10-15 players and lose about the same, but this year that may balloon up to 25.

Retention is Kentucky’s top priority. There are about 10-15 ‘Tier-1’ players on either side of the line of scrimmage that meet with Stoops and Co. before the portal opens. The coaching staff wants to take care of these players before seeking out reinforcements.

Even if the coaching staff has a good idea about which way a player leans, the individual may decide to throw their name into the mix at any given moment. This year will probably be the first time Kentucky loses a noteworthy name they want to have on their roster in 2025.

“Behind the scenes, we have to anticipate, look at things, have a feel for that,” Mark Stoops said Monday. “Quite honestly, we need some attrition, but we obviously want to keep our best players here and build that foundation and take care of those players and then go out and supplement and bring in some as well.”

Does Kentucky Have the Money?

You heard Mark Stoops lament the new nature of his position as a head coach. He doesn’t want to be a fundraiser, however, it sounds like he’s done a pretty good job. More specifically, Eddie Gran has done some heavy legwork in the financial acquisition department to ensure that the player evaluation department has a suitable budget. When asked directly, the Kentucky head coach does not believe dollars will deter his program from getting the players it needs this offseason.

“We’re in a better position right now than I have ever been. Hopefully, that will carry over,” said Stoops. “That doesn’t mean it’s an end-all, be-all, but we’ve worked hard behind the scenes to put ourselves in a position to try to catch up.”

What Positions Will the Cats Need to Fill?

Once again, it’s hard to determine what exactly Kentucky will be looking at in the transfer portal. Let’s be candid, a big part of it hinges on how well Cutter Boley performs against Louisville. If Kentucky doesn’t need to be a big spender at the most expensive position, quarterback, those resources can be dedicated elsewhere. Allow me to share a conservative guesstimate for both sides of the line of scrimmage.

Offense: Offensive Tackle (2), Center, Wide Receiver (2)

Stoops stated publicly on his coach’s show that he feels good about the play at offensive guard, but they need impact players at tackle and center. Kentucky has already scouted 300 offensive linemen that may be available in December. Even though the Cats are bringing in four high school wide receivers, that room needs more bodies ahead of what will probably be an offseason filled with significant turnover.

Defense: EDGE, Safety, Nickel

Finding a replacement for Zion Childress and adding depth at safety is a must. I got a hunch they’ll be looking for a linebacker or two as well, but the biggest position on the board is EDGE as there’s no certainty is anyone on the current roster can fill the void left by J.J. Weaver.

How Much Do Those Positions Cost?

On3’s Pete Nakos spoke with industry sources to calculate a price range for the best players on the market. Keep in mind, these numbers are for the most coveted free agents available.

Offensive Line: $400,000 – $1 Million
EDGE: $500,000 – $1.5 Million
Wide Receiver: $300,000 – $750,000

That feels like a wide range, but it gives you an idea of what Kentucky needs to budget to compete, especially at offensive line. They’ll probably seek out at least one home run at a premium position, offensive tackle or EDGE, and there’s no guarantee they’ll be able to land one.

“We’ve been fortunate, that’s not to say it’s always going to stay that way,” Stoops said, regarding player retention.

“Whatever it is, nobody needs to panic. We have an opportunity to get this roster fixed, and work hard, and that’s my plan – to work hard, to get the pieces in place. I’ve worked hard to get resources in place and I have to do that. We have to get it done. So that’s the plan.”

How Should Kentucky Fans Feel About Transfer Portal Additions?

A wise man once said that everybody has a plan until they get punched in the face. That happened this fall when the guy who was supposed to replace Ray Davis spent most of the season sidelined by an injury. That is just one reason why some Kentucky fans may be skeptical of the new pieces the Wildcats will add this December.

The most important piece of the equation this December will not be the marquee names Kentucky adds from the portal. Not every player needs to be a home run. They just need more base hits than strikeouts.

As we discussed on 11 Personnel, not every transfer portal player can be Wan’Dale Robinson. You need a few Zion Childress types: unheralded players who don’t bounce your budget and can become reliable starters. Mark Stoops has a plan and the resources in place. Now it’s all about executing under pressure in the month of December.