'I got something to prove': Troy Stellato is looking to revive his football career at Kentucky

Troy Stellato was a big-time recruit in South Florida who ultimately signed with Clemson over Ohio State in the 2021 high school cycle. Kentucky was involved in that recruitment but ultimately never became a serious contender. But the Wildcats became a serious option when the redshirt senior entered the transfer portal.

After four years in Dabo Swinney‘s program where Stellato recorded 65 career receptions and battled injuries his entire career, the wideout is looking for a fresh start. The former four-star recruit will get that at Kentucky.

Familiarity with the UK program played a role.

“Just kind of recircling back from high school and the relationships I made from there. At the time, Coach (Eddie) Gran was the OC and everything at the time and I’ve always kind of had a relationship with him throughout the process and throughout the years. Kind of just went in the portal and everything and Kentucky just made a lot of sense.”

“I kind of knew a little bit of what to expect coming here. It was a great opportunity.”

During his time in the ACC, Troy Stellato played for three offensive coordinators and was played both outside and inside at Clemson. However, the wideout was mainly just a short-to-intermediate target (career average depth of target of 6.9 yards). Kentucky is planning to use Stellato in the slot but is also planning on using the wideout’s versatility and having him play outside.

“They’re kind of moving me wherever. I can play anywhere. I played a little bit of outside my first year when I was really playing at Clemson and then this past year I played a lot of slot. I have experience at both positions. They’re definitely different. Slot and outside are different,” Stellato told KSR on Wednesday. “It’s a whole different route tree and everything but just kind of my experience at that level playing multiple years at both positions is really going to help me because if you can know outside and inside it’s hard to take you off the field.”

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Troy Stellato brings experience and versatility to a new-look Kentucky offense but durability will remain a big question mark for the veteran. After an up-and-down tenure at Clemson, Stellato has a contract year mindset heading into 2025. So does the rest of this rebooted wide receiver room at the Joe Craft Football Training Facility.

“Everyone’s got something to prove. I got something to prove. All the guys, we’re really talented guys, but we got something to prove at the end of the day,” Stellato explained. “And that always creates the next kind of another step, another notch. There’s no complacency in this group. We gotta go attack each day like it’s our last.”

The transfer sees some similarities with Clemson in the wide receiver room and states that Kentucky “has a lot of talent on the field right now”. Kentucky is currently working on becoming a team. Troy Stellato will be looking to prove that he can stay healthy and be a productive receiver in a power conference offense.