Hello, friends. We\u2019re still grinding through the transfer portal. Today\u2019s coverage included a gnarly migraine over at KSR HQ. It was an omen for what would become the worst day for the Kentucky football program in this transfer portal period, but it wasn\u2019t all bad news. <\/p>\n
Good News: Kentucky Adds Two More Big Bodies<\/p>\n
The day started with three transfer portal commitments before 10:30 AM ET. Two of the three commitments came from large humans. <\/p>\n
Xavier Daisy<\/a> is a 6-3 pass-catcher from UAB, giving Kentucky some much-needed length on the outside. Olaus Alinen<\/a> is a Finnish offensive guard who clocks in at 6-foot-6, 301 pounds. The former Top-200 recruit spent the last three years at Alabama. Now, he\u2019s going to compete for a starting spot on the Kentucky offensive line. <\/p>\n Bad News: Texas A&M Takes Two Kentucky Tackles<\/p>\n Kentucky has three interior offensive line commits and zero offensive tackles. Two of their top three options committed elsewhere today, both to Texas A&M. Kentucky was considered an option for Wilkin Formby<\/a>, but we do not believe he ever made it to campus. He committed a few hours after Tyree Adams<\/a> pulled the trigger. Adams was Joe Sloan\u2019s starting left tackle at LSU last fall. <\/p>\n Offensive tackle is a premium position where it\u2019s hard to find replacements. Kentucky had Xavier Chaplin<\/a> on campus yesterday. They need to close before too many other viable options are picked up elsewhere. <\/p>\n Good News: Most Experienced Secondary in the SEC?<\/p>\n The third commitment of the morning is one of the most experienced defensive backs in the transfer portal. Safety Jordan Castell<\/a> had at least 54 tackles in each of his three seasons as a starter at Florida. Next year, he\u2019ll line up next to Ty Bryant<\/a>, creating one the most experienced secondaries in the SEC. <\/p>\n Kentucky will very likely have the most experienced safety tandem in college football next season. Ty Bryant and Jordan Castell own a combined 60 starts, 3,384 snaps, 331 tackles, 7 INT, and 15 PBU. pic.twitter.com\/cTcjt637jx<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Adam Luckett (@AdamLuckettKSR) January 7, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n That wasn\u2019t the only good news. KSR learned that Terhyon Nichols<\/a> has re-signed to play for the Cats in 2026. The former four-star talent logged significant snaps as a true freshman, then emerged as a starting cornerback in year two, but was limited by injuries to only seven games. Joining those three at nickel is another Florida DB, Aaron Gates<\/a>, who\u2019s battled injuries but has All-SEC talent. The secondary is shaping up nicely. <\/p>\n Bad News: New Contenders Emerge for Texas Transfer Portal Targets<\/p>\n Two of the top known transfer portal targets for Kentucky are former Texas Longhorns. They were scheduled to visit Colorado today. It appeared to be a final hurdle for the Cats. Things are not always as they appear. <\/p>\n Running back CJ Baxter<\/a> never made it to Boulder, but he did schedule a weekend visit to Indiana. Now, Pete Nakos reports<\/a> that the Hoosiers have confidence they can close the deal after the CFP Semifinal against Oregon. Meanwhile, another CFP has come from the clouds in the pursuit of DeAndre Moore<\/a>. Ole Miss is picking up steam for the explosive slot receiver. <\/p>\n Bad News: One More Target Off the Board<\/p>\n Late Wednesday night, we learned that another Kentucky target is heading elsewhere. Oklahoma defensive tackle Markus Strong<\/a> visited Lexington earlier this week. He ultimately committed to Clemson. The Cats have added a pair of interior defensive linemen, LSU\u2019s Ahmad Breaux<\/a> and Purdue\u2019s Jamarrion Harkless<\/a>, but they\u2019re still in need of another big body in the trenches. <\/p>\n New Names to Monitor<\/p>\n Terence Roberson<\/a>, Oachita Baptist (D-11) \u2014 The 6-foot-5, 310-pound left tackle has three years of eligibility remaining. Even though he\u2019s a D-II prospect, Kentucky isn\u2019t the only power conference school in the mix. Tennessee, Arkansas, LSU, and Vanderbilt have also issued scholarship offers. <\/p>\n Sebastian Espinoza<\/a>, Coffeyville C.C. (JUCO) \u2014 The 6-foot-6, 300-pound offensive tackle won a state title at Bullitt East. He started his career at Youngstown State, then spent last fall at Coffeyville C.C. He told KSR Plus<\/a> that he plans on visiting this week, maybe as soon as tomorrow. <\/p>\n Rashon Myles<\/a>, Abilene Christian \u2014 The linebacker was an FCS All-American last fall, recording 115 tackles, 8 TFLs, 2.5 sacks, and 1 INT. The Indiana native is reportedly<\/a> visiting Kentucky tomorrow as the Cats cast a wide net to find another linebacker. <\/p>\n Former Kentucky Wildcats in the SEC<\/p>\n We had a transfer portal trade. Kentucky got Gates and Castell from Florida, while the Gators picked up former Kentucky safety Cam Dooley<\/a>. Meanwhile, Steven Soles<\/a> found a home in Fayetteville on Ryan Silverfield\u2019s Arkansas squad. <\/p>\n