Transfer Portal FAQ: How much will it cost Kentucky to reload its roster?

College football free agency is right around the corner. The transfer window is full of surprises, but regardless of what happens between now and Dec. 9, Kentucky will be in the market to add a significant number of players.

Before I answer any questions, let me remind you that there are no rules or norms. The portal won’t officially open until December 9th, but players will announce it beforehand. Things change quickly and predicting the moves is a challenge, so we’ll try to answer the basics to prepare you for how to respond appropriately as Kentucky tries to turn its roster around.

How many portal players does Kentucky lose?

That’s a question Mark Stoops is currently trying to answer. Most years the Wildcats field between 10-15 players and lose about the same, but this year it could balloon up to 25.

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

While the coaching staff has a good idea of ​​which way a player is leaning, the individual can decide to throw his name into the mix at any given time. This year will likely be the first time Kentucky loses a notable name they want to have on their 2025 roster.

“Behind the scenes we have to anticipate, look at things, have a feel for it,” Mark Stoops said Monday. “Honestly, we need some attritionbut of course we 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 some in as well.”

Does Kentucky have the money?

You heard Mark Stoops bemoan the new nature of his head coaching position. He doesn’t want to be a fundraiser, but it sounds like he’s done a pretty good job. More specifically, Eddie Gran has done some heavy lifting in the financial acquisition department to ensure the player evaluation department has an adequate budget. When asked directly, the Kentucky head coach doesn’t believe dollars will keep his program from getting the players it needs this offseason.

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

Which positions should the cats fill?

Once again, it’s hard to determine what exactly Kentucky will be looking at in the transfer portal. Let’s be honest, a lot of it depends on how well Cutter Boley appearing 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 guess for both sides of the line of scrimmage.

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

Stoops publicly stated on his coach’s show that he is comfortable with the play at offensive guard, but they need impact players at tackle and center. Kentucky has already scouted 300 offensive linemen who could be available in December. Although the Cats bring in four high school wide receivers, that room needs more bodies ahead of what will likely be an offseason filled with significant turnover.

Defense: EDGE, Safety, Nickel

To find a replacement for Zion Children’s dress and adding depth to safety is a must. I have a feeling they’ll also be looking for a linebacker or two, but the biggest position on the board is EDGE, as there’s no telling if anyone on the current roster can fill the void left by JJ Weaver.

How much do these positions cost?

On3’s Pete Nakos spoke with industry sources to calculate a price range for the top players on the market. Keep in mind that 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 on the offensive line. They’ll likely seek out at least one home run with a premium position, offensive tackle or EDGE, and there’s no guarantee they’ll be able to land one.

“We’ve been lucky, that doesn’t mean it’s always going to stay that way,” Stoops said of player retention.

“Whatever it is, no one needs to panic. We have an opportunity to get this list sorted, and work hard, and that’s my plan – to work hard, to put the pieces in place. I have worked hard to get resources in place and I have to. 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 everyone has a plan until they get punched in the face. It happened in the fall, when the guy who had to replace Ray Davis spent most of the season sidelined by injury. That’s just one of the reasons some Kentucky fans may be skeptical of the new pieces the Wildcats will add in December.

The most important part of the equation in December won’t be the marquee names Kentucky adds from the portal. Not all players need to be homebound. They just need more base hits than strikeouts.

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

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B-L_woHIGIE