Stein Secures Top UK Football Recruit with 4-Star WR Commitment
New Kentucky football coach Will Stein has secured a significant commitment with the addition of four-star wide receiver Kenny Darby. Darby, previously committed to LSU, chose the Wildcats on the final day of the December signing period.
Commitment Details
Kenny Darby hails from Louisiana and is considered a highly coveted prospect for the 2026 recruiting class. He expressed his enthusiasm about joining Kentucky, stating, “I wanna start my own trend. I wanna be a part of something big.”
Connection with Coach Sloan
Darby’s connection with Kentucky’s offensive coordinator Joe Sloan, who previously recruited him at LSU, played a crucial role in his decision. The prospect aims to contribute to the new era at Kentucky under the guidance of Coach Stein.
Kentucky’s 2026 Recruiting Class
- Kenny Darby is the second four-star recruit for Kentucky, joining quarterback Matt Ponatoski from Cincinnati.
- Ponatoski committed to Kentucky earlier under former coach Mark Stoops but decided to stay post-transition.
- Messiah Tilson, a four-star safety from Illinois, is currently the only commitment who has not signed with the Wildcats this week.
Future Prospects at Kentucky
With the potential loss of key receiving players to the transfer portal, Darby could find ample opportunity for early playing time. The team is expected to lose leading receiver Kendrick Law and backups Ja’Mori Maclin, Fred Farrier, and J.J. Hester due to expiration of eligibility.
Maintaining top freshmen, DJ and Cam Miller, will be a priority for Coach Stein as the Wildcats look to strengthen their depth at the wide receiver position. If all current players return, sophomore Hardley Gilmore could become a leading candidate alongside the Millers for starting roles.
