Big Time Players Headed To Lexington
Now that the Oregon Ducks are out of the College Football Playoff Will Stein can now concentrate on one job. Since being hired to replace Mark Stoops on December 1st Stein has been splitting his time. He was offensive coordinator for Oregon while trying to get a squad together at Kentucky. That includes navigating the craziest transfer portal season ever. To his credit, he’s done a remarkable job so far. Let’s look at who he’s brought in as Kentucky adds key offensive pieces through the transfer portal.
Quarterback Of The Future
As it stands right now Kentucky is sixth in the transfer portal rankings. In addition, they are fourth in the SEC. One of the biggest pieces needed for Stein’s first squad as was quarterback. Former starter Cutter Boley is now at Arizona State. As a result, UK needed to hit the portal for a new signal caller.
They were all in at the beginning on Sam Leavitt, who visited but eventually committed to LSU. However the Cats found their guy in Norte Dame quarterback Kenny Minchey. He’s highly rated but has limited experience.
During his three years in South Bend, Minchey played sparingly. This past season, he lost the starting job to CJ Carr. Minchey played in six games in 2025, completing 20 of 26 passes for 196 yards. In addition, he ran for another 84 and a touchdown.
After putting his name in the portal he committed to Nebraska. However, one day later he was a Wildcat. The 63rd best player and 13th ranked quarterback by 247 Sports, Minchey is a junior with two years of eligibility remaining.
Adding Needed Depth
One of the spots where the Wildcats need players is quarterback. As it stands right now they only have Brennan Ward and incoming freshman Matt Ponatoski. To that end Stein picked up two more signal callers for 2026.
The first is Marshall transfer JacQai Long. A redshirt sophomore, Long has three years of eligibility remaining. He appeared in five games last year for the Thundering Herd completing six passes for 31 yards. In addition, he ran for 38 yards and a touchdown.
The Cats also added Carson Cruver. He played in two games in two years at Florida Atlantic. Cruver has two years of eligibility remaining.
Let’s move to the skill positions as we continue our review as Kentucky adds key offensive pieces through the transfer portal.
Looking To Bounce Back
Currently only one of Kentucky’s top four running backs, Jason Patterson, is returning for 2026. Much like the quarterback spot Stein had to go get some players through the portal. That’s exactly what he did. Heading the list is Texas transfer CJ Baxter. Coming out of high school in Florida Baxter was the top rated running back and 30th best player in the nation in the 2023 class.
Named a second team freshman All-American Baxter ran for 659 yards and five touchdowns for the Longhorns. However injuries have limited him the last couple of years. He suffered a knee injury which knocked out for the 2024 season. Last year a hamstring injury bothered him all year. He ran for 196 yards in eight games and also caught 12 passes with one score. Overall 247 Sports lists him as the 11th best running back and 143rd best player overall.
Much like Baxter another incoming transfer Jovantae Barnes, was highly touted coming out of high school. In fact he was the 16th best running back in the 2022 class before committing to Oklahoma. He had a strong freshman year gaining 519 yards and scoring five times.
His numbers dipped in 2023 before another good year in 2024. During that season he ran for a career high 577 yards and caught 17 passes. A season ago he only played in four games rushing for 45 yards. He took a redshirt in order to have one more year of eligibility. 247 Sports ranks him as the 47th best running back in the portal.
Stein will need big seasons from both of these guys in 2026.
Time to wrap up our look at the new receivers as Kentucky adds key offensive pieces through the transfer portal.
Weapons For Minchey
As of this writing the Wildcats have had seven receivers hit the portal. So far they’ve brought in three new players for 2026. Xavier Daisy comes to Lexington via UAB. Last year the junior to be hauled in 18 passes for 177 yards and one touchdown.
Stein also landed Ja’Kayden Ferguson, who was previously at Arkansas. He played in six games last season but had no receptions. Ferguson committed to Kentucky back in 2024. However, he reopened his recruitment and ended up at Arkansas. Now, he’s back in Lexington.
Finally UK added transfer Brock Coffman who was previously at Louisville. The Lexington native and Sayre High School star appeared in two games for the Cardinals last season but did not catch a pass. He was the 20th best player in Kentucky coming out of high school.
Look for Stein and his staff to go after several more receivers before the portal ends on Friday. The Cats were a finalist for Texas receiver DeAndre Moore Jr. However he committed to Colorado.
Thanks for checking out our look as Kentucky adds key offensive pieces through the portal. Next time out we’ll look at how the Big Blue Wall has been totally rebuilt by the new staff.
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