The transfer portal has transformed college athletics forever, but as head coach Mark Stoops has reiterated time and time again during his tenure, “you have to adapt.”

Just two days since the transfer portal has officially opened and over 1,000 players have entered their names. While this includes 8 eight Wildcats from this season’s roster – which Stoops said he has yet to see a name that surprises him – it also includes talented and immediate replacement options for Kentucky.

Given a lackluster 2023 recruiting class, and glaring holes on the roster – specifically at quarterback offensive line, and running back – the staff will look to bring in a decent number of transfers into the program

With that said, here are five of the best and most realistic options for the Wildcats.

Note: Rankings come from 247 Sports Composite.

Tanner Bowles (RG/RT), Alabama

Notable Stats: Backup, played 86 snaps in 19 games.
HS Ranking: Four-star recruit, No. 290 overall, No. 19 offensive guard

Kentucky needs help on the offensive line and looking at a former Glasgow high school star from Alabama will be one of the first places that Mark Stoops will look.

Coming out of high school, Tanner Bowles was ranked as one of the best offensive guards in the country. However, during his time at Alabama, he showed that he could play multiple positions on the offensive line, including center, right guard, left guard, and right tackle.

In four seasons with the Crimson Tide (including a redshirt season), Bowles never became a starter but appeared in all 12 games this season for one of the best offensive lines in the SEC.

Before his commitment in 2019, Bowles had a Crystal Ball pick to go to Kentucky. Given his prior interest in his home school and Kentucky’s need for such a player, the Wildcats will be the favorite for Bowles, who could give a huge boost on the ride side of the line where they need it the most.

Marques Cox (LT), Northern Illinois

Notable Stats: Helped NIU to the fourth-ranked rushing offense in 2021; NIU gave up just 10 sacks in 14 games to rank second in the country in 2021.
HS Ranking: 3-star recruit, No. 1306 overall, No. 32 offensive lineman

Marques Cox from Northern Illinois is a guy Kentucky has been focused on as soon as he announced he would be entering the portal and are leading the odds at the moment to land him. At 6-foot-6 310 pounds, Cox has the size and with over 2,000 snaps of college football, he has the experience.

Before his season-ending injury against the Wildcats back on September 24th, Cox helped lead NIU to the MAC Championship in 2021. In that season, the Huskies had one of the best rushing offenses in the country and gave up just the second least amount of sacks in the nation with (10). In comparison, the Wildcats gave up 42 sacks this season.

Known to be very good in pass protection, Cox would be a much-needed piece at tackle, arguably Kentucky’s worst position.

Graham Mertz (QB), Wisconsin

2022 Stats: 2,136 passing yards, 19 TDs, 10 INTs, 135 QBR
HS Ranking: 4-star recruit, No. 65 overall, No. 3 pro-style QB

With the loss of Will Levis, Kentucky will be on the search for a new QB1 and one of the hottest names in the portal is Graham Mertz from Wisconsin, a former 4-star pro-style quarterback.

Similar to Levis when he arrived in Lexington, Mertz has yet to put all the pieces together. While he does have the arm talent and leadership ability to succeed, he struggles under pressure and is inconsistent.

Mertz was not a four-star recruit for no reason – ESPN had him ranked as the No. 1 QB – and if he can find a place that can help him put the pieces together, the gamble could pay off. With the proven development skills of the coaching staff and explosive weapons like Dane Key and Barion Brown to throw it to, Kentucky could be that place.

With that said, the QB will largely be dictated by who Kentucky hires as their next offensive coordinator.

Stephen Herron (DE), Stanford

2022 Stats: 37 tackles, 6.5 TFL, 5.5 sacks, 2 forced fumbles
HS Ranking: 4-star recruit, No. 141 overall, No. 7 edge rusher

Coming out of high school at Trinity in Louisville, Stephen Herron was a four-star recruit and a top 150 prospect in the 2019 class before he committed to play for Stanford. After playing four years for the Cardinals, Herron has put his name in the transfer portal.

Prior to blowing up as a top recruit, Kentucky was one of the first schools to recruit Herron and he formed a close relationship with the late John Schlarman. With that relationship, Kentucky is one of the perceived favorites.

During his time at Stanford, Herron slowly developed but this past season as a senior, he proved himself as an impact player. After the departure of Jordan Wright and the potential departure of JJ Weaver, getting an experienced edge rusher is a must for the Wildcats this offseason from the portal.

Re’Mahn Davis (RB), Vanderbilt

2022 Stats: 232 rushing attempts, 1,042 rushing yards (4.5 yards per carry), 5 rushing TDs
HS Ranking: 3-star recruit, No. 1869 overall, No. 119 running back

Coming into the 2022 season, Kentucky had a deep running back room. However, that does not look the be the case next season as Chris Rodriguez will enter the NFL Draft as a senior, and both Kaviosey Smoke and Mike Drennen have entered the transfer portal.

This forces Kentucky to look towards the portal to add an experienced back and one with SEC experience is a great start.

Meet Re’Mahn Davis, a 1,000-yard rusher last season at Vanderbilt, including 129 yards and 1 TD against the Wildcats in their upset win at Kroger field in November. With 232 rushing attempts this season, Davis is a high-usage power back and is proven to be able to take the hits of SEC defenses with a respectable 4.5 yards per carry.