Here is where the 19 transfers from Kentucky will play college football in 2023

There has been no shortage of attention directed towards the gaggle of transfers expected to play key roles for Kentucky football this season, but what of the former Wildcats who left the program to make room for those newcomers?

Since the 2022 regular season finale, 19 Kentucky players have left the program via the transfer portal. Many of those former Wildcats transferred to smaller programs in search of more snaps, but a few will suit up for SEC rivals this fall, as well.

Here is a look at where each of the outgoing Kentucky transfers will play in 2023.

Kobi Albert (Mississippi State)

One of the stars of Kentucky’s much-hyped 2022 recruiting class, Albert played in 10 games as a freshman with most of his contributions coming on special teams. Kentucky will have get a firsthand look at whether Albert has begun to cash in on his considerable promise when it travels to Mississippi State in November. The Bulldogs listed Albert as a backup safety on their first depth chart of the season.

Jordan Anthony (Texas A&M)

Anthony did not catch a pass while playing in two games as a freshman wide receiver for the football Wildcats but he proved himself as one of the fastest players in the country with a silver medal in the 60-meter dash at the NCAA indoor track championships. He broke UK’s freshman record in the 60-meter dash before entering the transfer portal. Anthony is expected to continue to play football and run track at Texas A&M.

Deondre Buford (Cincinnati)

Buford was among the competitors for UK’s starting right tackle job in spring practice but elected to enter the transfer portal on the final day of the spring window after UK landed a commitment from Southern Cal transfer Courtland Ford at his position. Buford is listed as the starting right tackle on Cincinnati’s first depth chart.

Tae Tae Crumes (Uncommitted)

The former Butler High School star was considered one of Kentucky’s fastest players, but he was unable to translate that speed into on-field production across four years as a Wildcat. Crumes reported an offer from Robert Morris in May but has not announced a commitment to any program.

Mike Drennen (Toledo)

After appearing in 14 games across three seasons at Kentucky while bouncing between slot receiver and running back, Drennen entered the transfer portal in December. The former four-star recruit enrolled at Toledo this summer. The Rockets list him as a running back on the 2023 roster.

Tomiwa Durojaiye (West Virginia)

Durojaiye entered the portal in April despite UK coaches speaking highly of his future during spring practice. Earlier this month, West Virginia coach Neal Brown, a former UK player and assistant, said he expects Durojaiye to play for the Mountaineers this season. “As far as how big a role, he’ll determine that,” Brown said.

Kiyaunta Goodwin (Uncommitted)

Goodwin was considered the crown jewel of UK’s 2022 recruiting class as a five-star prospect, but he played only sparingly during a redshirt season as a freshman despite the Wildcats’ offensive line struggles. Goodwin transferred to Florida in time for the spring semester and participated in spring practice there. He reportedly left Florida due to a family medical situation this summer though and has yet to announce his next school.

DeMarcus Harris (Marshall)

Harris started nine games with 30 catches for 327 yards and one touchdown in four years at Kentucky before transferring to Marshall. Snaps appear to be available at wide receiver for the Thundering Herd after the loss of three receivers to the transfer portal.

Adrian Huey (Tulsa)

Huey will forever hold the distinction of being the first commitment in the Nashville recruiting pipeline that eventually sent Barion Brown, Keaten Wade, Destin Wade and Shamar Porter to Kentucky, but he did not appear in a game in two years as a Wildcat. Tulsa announced Huey as part of its 2023 transfer class in February, but he is not listed on the current roster.

Chris Lewis (Troy)

The former four-star wide receiver recruit transferred to Troy, where he will play for former UK assistant Jon Sumrall, his primary recruiter at Kentucky. Troy opens the season against Stephen F. Austin on Saturday.

Rahsaan Lewis (Georgia Southern)

The son of Pro Football Hall of Famer Ray Lewis, Rahsaan elected to transfer for the third time in his college career after catching six passes for 65 yards and one touchdown for Kentucky last season. He will finish his career at Georgia Southern, where he is now listed as Saan Lewis on the roster.

Chauncey Magwood (UCF)

Magwood totaled eight catches for 121 yards and one touchdown in 25 games for Kentucky before transferring to UCF. Magwood appears to still be working his way into the wide receiver rotation for the new Big 12 squad as he was not included on UCF’s opening two-deep depth chart.

Justin Rogers (Auburn)

The highest profile of Kentucky’s transfer losses, Rogers started every game for the Wildcats at nose guard in 2022. The former five-star recruit is now considered a 2023 NFL draft prospect, but he will not open the season as a starter for the Tigers. Auburn listed him second at nose guard on its first depth chart.

Kavosiey Smoke (Colorado)

Smoke totaled 1,583 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns across five seasons for Kentucky. He opened 2022 as the fill-in starter at running back while Chris Rodriguez was suspended, but he totaled just eight carries after Rodriguez’s return and elected to transfer to Colorado to use his final season of eligibility. Smoke is expected to split carries with Houston transfer Alton McCaskill for Colorado.

Andre Stewart (Towson)

A former three-star recruit who did not appear in a game as a freshman, Stewart left Kentucky during spring practice. He eventually enrolled at FCS Towson, which opens the 2023 season at Maryland on Saturday.

Vito Tisdale (Colorado)

Once considered one of the most promising young playmakers on Kentucky’s defense, Tisdale was dismissed from the team for an undisclosed violation of team rules during spring practice. He then became the second former Wildcat to join Deion Sanders’ roster overhaul at Colorado.

Keaton Upshaw (Georgia Southern)

Injuries derailed a once promising Kentucky career for Upshaw, who was eventually passed by multiple younger tight ends on the depth chart. With snaps likely hard to come by at tight end for Kentucky in 2023, Upshaw transferred to Georgia Southern, where he is projected to play a featured role.

John Young (Miami, Ohio)

The former Louisville Christian Academy standout played in every game for Kentucky last season as a member of the blocking unit on field goals and extra points, but he failed to break into the offensive line rotation. Young landed at Miami (Ohio), where he was listed as the backup center on the first depth chart.

David Wohlabaugh (Syracuse)

Like Buford, Wohlabaugh elected to leave Kentucky shortly after the coaching staff added Ford to the right tackle competition. He landed at Syracuse, where his father played before a nine-year NFL career. Wohlabaugh is listed as the starting right tackle on Syracuse’s first depth chart.

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