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These five Kentucky football freshmen could play key roles for the Wildcats in 2022

There may be no better judge of the success Mark Stoops and his Kentucky football coaching staff found in the 2022 recruiting cycle than the early buzz emerging from preseason practices.

Stoops is generally reluctant to add to the hype surrounding freshmen before they actually contribute in games, but even he has been clear about the expectations for several first-year Wildcats during the first week of camp. Rule changes that allowed coaches more in-person instruction time with players this summer have helped coaches gain an early idea of which freshmen might be ready to play immediately, but the talent level in the highest-ranked signing class of Stoops’ tenure appears to be forcing the issue too.

One could make an argument for a double-digit number of freshmen contributing this fall. Depth concerns at positions like outside linebacker and wide receiver mean more freshmen are likely to join this list over the coming weeks, but here is a look at five who already seem to have earned a spot in the rotation.

WR Dane Key

Dane Key, the son of former UK linebacker Donte Key, was playing for Frederick Douglass High School in Lexington at this time last year but is already poised to become a starter for the Wildcats this fall.
Dane Key, the son of former UK linebacker Donte Key, was playing for Frederick Douglass High School in Lexington at this time last year but is already poised to become a starter for the Wildcats this fall.

Not only has Key claimed a spot in the wide receiver rotation, he appears to have already locked down a starting job. The former Frederick Douglass star graduated early to enroll at UK in January then quickly established himself as one of the Wildcats’ best receivers in spring practice.

“He acts like a vet,” quarterback Will Levis said. “He gets it, he knows the hard work. He’s got the right mindset.”

After grabbing two catches for 43 yards and one touchdown in the spring game, Key opened preseason practice on the first-team offense alongside junior wide receivers DeMarcus Harris and Tayvion Robinson.

WR Barion Brown

Barion Brown (2) one of three players from Nashville to sign with Kentucky in the class of 2022, could contribute immediately as a big-play threat.
Barion Brown (2) one of three players from Nashville to sign with Kentucky in the class of 2022, could contribute immediately as a big-play threat.

Key’s biggest competition for a starting spot might be from his classmate, the second-highest rated signee in UK’s 2023 class. Brown has put his elite speed on display early in camp with multiple deep catches, including one during Saturday’s open practice.

Barring injury, the Nashville native is certain to play in a wide receiver rotation that needs big-play threats. The only question is whether he can wrestle a starting job from Key or Harris before the opener.

“Even just in the 7-on-7 and (offseason) work we’ve done, his change of direction and his play-making ability is already pretty special,” Levis said.

DL Deone Walker

Finding a defensive lineman physically capable of holding his own against Southeastern Conference opponents is never an easy task, but Kentucky appears to have one in Walker. The 6-foot-6, 330-pound tackle was the biggest standout from Saturday’s Fan Day practice.

“That’s a different cat right there,” super senior linebacker Jacquez Jones said of Walker. “He’s so big and the way he moves. Deone, he’s special. Nobody big should be moving like that.”

Octavious Oxendine, Justin Rogers and Tre’Vonn Rybka opened preseason practice as the starters on Kentucky’s defensive line, but coaches are expected to rotate heavily at those positions. Walker already has received some first-team snaps.

“He works hard,” Stoops said. “You can see the athletic ability in him. Just got to stay the course. There’s going to be ups and downs, but unbelievable talent. Exactly what we thought when we recruited him.”

DB Alex Afari

Kentucky added four defensive back transfers since the end of spring practice, but those veterans are not the only newcomers who could contribute in the secondary. Stoops opened camp by essentially confirming Afari will play some role as a freshman.

“To walk in as a freshman and to move with his size and his length, he’s got a rare blend,” defensive coordinator Brad White said. “Finding ways to help him be successful early is going to be a big task for me and the entire defensive staff. Because, when you get special athletes, you have to find a way to let them contribute.”

Stoops said the 6-foot-2, 203-pound Cincinnati native will start his career at cornerback but mentioned him as a candidate to play nickel back as well. The need there grew Monday with the news junior Joel Williams had entered the transfer portal.

OT Kiyaunta Goodwin

Kentucky fans could get a look at five-star offensive lineman Kiyaunta Goodwin sooner than later if the 6-foot-8, 351 pound freshman continues to impress in practices.
Kentucky fans could get a look at five-star offensive lineman Kiyaunta Goodwin sooner than later if the 6-foot-8, 351 pound freshman continues to impress in practices.

The highest-rated signee in the Mark Stoops era, Goodwin enters preseason practice as the backup at left tackle after enrolling early to participate in spring practice. The former five-star recruit did not participate in the Fan Day open practice, but Stoops said afterward there were no serious injury issues to worry about.

There is a reason Stoops and recruiting coordinator Vince Marrow have been pursuing Goodwin since he was a Louisville middle school standout. His physical gifts at 6-foot-8, 351 pounds are a rare combination. Coaches also lauded his intelligence during spring practice.

“Every day he steps on the field, man, he’s picking up a little bit more,” offensive line coach Zach Yenser said in spring practice. “It’s really encouraging.”

Deondre Buford enters camp as the starter at left tackle, but assuming Goodwin does not miss too much practice time that position could be closer to an equal time share early in the season.

Kentucky freshman wide receivers (from left to right) Brandon White (18), Jordan Anthony (13), Dane Key (6), Barion Brown (2) and Cole Lanter (81) pose for a portrait during Media Day. Several from this group could find their way onto the field in 2022.
Kentucky freshman wide receivers (from left to right) Brandon White (18), Jordan Anthony (13), Dane Key (6), Barion Brown (2) and Cole Lanter (81) pose for a portrait during Media Day. Several from this group could find their way onto the field in 2022.

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