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How to Donate to Kentucky NIL: All Current Approved Ways to Contribute

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Twitter/davemcveyr

The biggest story in Kentucky athletics this week has undoubtedly been about NIL, and specifically how Kentucky is falling behind.

After two decommitments and with 2023 football recruiting class ranked just No. 48 in the country, Mark Stoops voiced some frustration towards where the Wildcats currently stand in NIL.

In his weekly press conference on Monday, Stoops said, “we need support from the community, the state. It is what it is.”

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Calling on the average fanbase to donate money to NIL will certainly turn some away, but there is certainly a large portion of the Big Blue Nation that would gladly show their support. There is just one problem, most people don’t know how.

This is no fault to their own and stems from a disconnect from UK Athletics, who has promoted little information on the new collectives. Hence why this article has been written.

Earlier this week, KY Insider reached out to the Kentucky athletic department to see the approved ways that fans and local businesses can help with NIL. Take a look!

This information comes directly from the Kentucky athletic department.

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BBNIL Exchange

If you are a business owner or just an individual that is interested in pursuing a student-athlete to promote your business/product or support, please check out the BBNIL Exchange at the following link:

https://dash.inflcr.com/exchange/the-university-of-kentucky

Individual Student-Athlete Apparel

You can also support your favorite Wildcat by purchasing your favorite Kentucky Wildcats name and number T-shirts customized with your favorite players’ names on the UK Team Shop.  Athletes will be compensated for each sale in line with the group licensing model that 100 percent of the players in the NFL, MLB, WNBA and MLSPA participate in.

https://www.ukteamshop.com/?query=NIL&_ref=p-HP:m-SEARCH

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Organizations That Accept Donations for NIL Activities

Additionally-there are several organizations that we are aware of that are taking donations. Those include:

Athlete Advantage: https://athleteadvantage.xyz/the-15/ 

Charities Across the State for Kentucky: https://catsforkentucky.org/

Commonwealth Causes: https://commonwealthcauses.org/donations/donation-form/

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K Fund

Finally, the K Fund is the fundraising arm of the University of Kentucky Athletics Department, responsible for providing the resources necessary to ensure our student-athletes have the opportunity to earn a first-class education and compete for championships. These resources are provided through student-athlete scholarships, state-of-the-art facilities, and the financial support essential for UK Athletics’ 22 varsity sports programs to excel.  By investing in the K Fund, you are providing support to more than 500 UK student-athletes and helping ensure their academic and athletic success. Donations to the K Fund, through Annual & Capital funds, are used to provide:

Student-Athlete Scholarships – tuition, room & board
Academic Support and Career Development
Athletic Facilities Maintenance, Renovations, and/or New Facilities
Coaching & Administrative Support

Please contact the K Fund office at 859-257-6300 for more information or visit our website: https://ukathletics.com/sports/k_fund/


We hope that this information was found to be helpful and provides the Big Blue Nation with some clarity about where currently NIL stands.

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It is important to note that on Wednesday, reports did come out that Kentucky will be releasing some more information within the next week that should better their position in the NIL landscape.

What are some things you would like to see when it comes to NIL?

Also published on A Sea of Blue.

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Football

Running Back Revamp: Kentucky Adds Former Oklahoma, New Mexico State Transfer

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New Mexico State University Athletics

The Wildcats bolstered their backfield with the addition of former Oklahoma and New Mexico State running back Seth McGowan on April 20, per KSR’s Nick Roush.

Standing at 5-foot-11 and 215 pounds, McGowan brings size and downhill power to Kentucky’s offense. Coming off a productive season at New Mexico State, he rushed for 823 yards and three touchdowns while adding 23 receptions for 277 yards and three more scores through the air.

A former four-star recruit in the class of 2019, McGowan originally signed with Oklahoma and logged 370 rushing yards, three touchdowns and 201 receiving yards with one touchdown during his lone season with the Sooners.

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On May 7, 2021, McGowan was removed from Oklahoma following his involvement in a legal case in which he was arrested and charged with robbery, conspiracy to commit robbery and assault and battery with a dangerous weapon. The charges were ultimately dismissed, but he pleaded guilty to larceny from a person at nighttime in December of that year.

After a stint at NAIA school Texas College in 2022, where he did not see game action, McGowan continued his path back to Division I football, playing six games with Butler Community College before transferring to New Mexico State for the 2024 season.

Now, with his past behind him, McGowan has a chance to turn the page and contribute in a major way to the Wildcats’ offense.

Running backs coach Jay Boulware, who helped Oklahoma sign McGowan out of high school, likely played a role in bringing him to Kentucky, where he is expected to have one year of eligibility remaining.

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Along with Nebraska transfer Dante Dowdell, McGowan could be a part of a versatile and punishing backfield tandem for the Wildcats. While Dowdell brings a physical, downhill rushing style, McGowan’s ability to contribute in both the run and pass game adds a dynamic layer to offensive coordinator Bush Hamdan’s pro-style system, which emphasizes balance and explosive playmaking.

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Jamon Dumas-Johnson: A NFL Draft Steal

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Kentucky Wildcats linebacker Jamon Dumas-Johnson (2) makes the sign of the cross while taking a knee before the game.
Carter Skaggs | Imagn

Before he transferred to Kentucky, Jamon Dumas-Johnson was an All-American at Georgia, with waves to at least test the NFL draft after winning a National Championship. However, with the decision to play his last collegiate season as a Wildcat, Dumas-Johnson was a cornerstone piece for the Kentucky defense, finishing the season with 7.5 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks during his 11 starts for the team. 

His athleticism spoke volumes at Kentucky football’s NFL pro day, where current NFL draft boards now list the linebacker as one of the best athletes at the position and has earned himself a “top 10” feel ahead of the draft. Before pro day, publications such as Bleacher Report had him listed as No. 13 at his position. 

Dumas-Johnson proved himself with the highest vertical jump (37.5) and the longest broad jump (10.60) out of the Wildcats who competed in said events, and ran an impressive best 4.50 40-yard dash. At 245 pounds, he also managed to press 16 reps of 225, which could technically be “better” compared to NFL standards, but is impressive nonetheless in hindsight.

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At 23 years old, this linebacker exploits explosiveness, agility and can hawk down any playmaker on the field. Out the 31 NFL teams that attended the event (a Cleveland Browns representative did not attend), one will be getting a prize steal of the draft with Dumas-Johnson. 

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Alex Raynor: A Rare Gem In This Year’s NFL Draft

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Kentucky Wildcats place kicker Alex Raynor (16) lines up a kick.
Jordan Prather | Imagn

Alex Raynor had an illustrious season for Kentucky last year, being named to First-Team All-SEC, as a finalist for the Lou Groza award and as SEC Special Teams Player of the Year.

As the record holder for the longest field goal in program history, and arguably one of, if not the, most consistent kickers to ever be a Wildcat, Raynor now looks to the NFL Draft in the next chapter of his book. 

Recently, at Kentucky football’s NFL Pro Day on Tuesday, March 11, Raynor kicked off the event with his workout. 

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Although he would miss a routine kick for him inside of the 45, he would continue to move back, nailing a 55-yard kick and nearly making a 60-yard kick. 

The best moments of his workout came when Raynor would line up behind the UK logo inside of Nutter Field House and would nail a 65-yard field goal.

That, although it’s an indoor kick and is not faced with the NFL pressure, would be one of the longest field goals in NFL history. 

Historically, it’s extremely rare for kickers to be drafted any higher than the 6th, more commonly going in the late rounds on the third day. 

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However, Raynor would hold as one of the rare occasions to go higher than projected, due to his historic year as a Wildcat.

Wherever the young man from Georgia ends up in the pros, don’t be surprised if you hear his name every reoccurring Sunday.

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