A huge blow to next season’s roster.
The Kentucky Wildcats suffered their first major loss to the transfer portal on Saturday morning. Unfortunately, it is one that is going to sting for quite some time.
According to a report by Pete Nakos of On3, UK wide receiver Hardley Gilmore has decided to enter the transfer portal.
Kentucky wide receiver Hardley Gilmore has entered the transfer portal, @On3sports has learned.
Was a four-star recruit in the 2024 class. https://t.co/VxSGJEUisH pic.twitter.com/osM3qLWWhZ
— Pete Nakos (@PeteNakos_) December 28, 2024
Gilmore, a 6-foot-1 and 178-pound wideout from Belle Glade (FL), was a huge recruiting win for the Cats in the class of 2024. The former four-star recruit was a coveted prospect who held offers from Alabama, Georgia, Penn State, Michigan, Texas A&M, and plenty of others. So him landing in Lexington last season was a huge win for the UK staff.
An injury held Gilmore out for the start of the season, but once healthy, the true freshman saw quite a bit of run for the Cats offense. He totaled six catches for 153 yards and a touchdown in the final seven games of the season.
There is no way around this one. This is a tough loss. Especially to lose a projected starting wide receiver on the last day of the portal window.
Who knows where this recruitment will go, but you can guarantee he will have quite a few teams on the phone once the dead period ends.