Kentucky isn’t done in the transfer portal just yet - and Monday’s addition makes it clear the Wildcats are doubling down on beefing up the defensive front.
Edge rusher Tyler Thomas, a transfer from South Alabama, is the latest piece to join the puzzle. He’s the sixth defensive lineman Kentucky has brought in this offseason, and he arrives with a résumé that suggests he’s ready to compete right away.
After redshirting at UAB in 2023, Thomas transferred to South Alabama and made his presence felt over the next two seasons. In 2024, he posted 20 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, and forced two fumbles - a solid debut campaign for a redshirt freshman.
He followed that up with another productive year in 2025, adding 17 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, and two more sacks.
Now he’s headed to Lexington, where he’ll reunite with former South Alabama teammate Dominic Wiseman in defensive line coach Anwar Stewart’s room. With new defensive coordinator Jay Bateman taking over the unit, Thomas will be in the mix at defensive end as Kentucky continues to retool a front seven that’s seen major turnover.
And there’s an extra wrinkle to this story - the kind of subplot that adds just a little more juice to an SEC rivalry. Thomas’ twin brother, Trent, is now at Tennessee.
That sets up a family showdown in November when Kentucky heads to Knoxville. You can bet that game is already circled in the Thomas household.
Zooming out, Thomas is just one part of a massive portal haul for Kentucky. The Wildcats have brought in over 30 new players this offseason, revamping nearly every position group. It’s a clear sign that head coach Will Stein and his staff are pushing for immediate results, not a slow rebuild.
With some key returners still in the fold, Thomas and fellow newcomer Antonio O’Berry will be fighting for early playing time. The defensive front is still taking shape, but the pieces are coming together - and if Thomas can bring the same disruptive energy he showed at South Alabama, he might be a name to watch as the 2026 season unfolds.