Kentucky’s wide receiver room is already crowded with 11 scholarship players, but make no mistake-this is a position group that’s still looking for a game-changer. And as the transfer portal heats up, the Wildcats have zeroed in on a name that could provide exactly that: Auburn wideout Malcolm Simmons.
Simmons officially entered the portal after two productive seasons on the Plains, and Kentucky is firmly in the mix to land him. The former four-star prospect from Alexander City, Alabama, was a top-200 recruit in the 2024 class and made an immediate impact at Auburn under head coach Hugh Freeze.
As a true freshman, Simmons logged 292 offensive snaps and turned in 40 catches for 451 yards, plus a punt return touchdown. He followed that up in 2025 with 25 receptions for 457 yards and three total touchdowns.
In total, Simmons has racked up 908 receiving yards on 65 catches across two seasons-solid production in the SEC, especially for a young receiver still developing his game. With two years of eligibility left, he represents the kind of plug-and-play talent Kentucky’s new coaching staff has been targeting.
Head coach Will Stein, offensive coordinator Joe Sloan, and wide receivers coach Joe Price III are all looking to reshape the offense in their first year in Lexington, and adding a proven SEC receiver like Simmons would be a major step in that direction. Kentucky may have signed five wideouts during the early signing period, but experience and explosiveness are still at a premium. Simmons checks both boxes.
He’s not just a name floating in the rumor mill-Kentucky is expected to host him on a visit, and the Wildcats are considered a serious contender alongside Arkansas and other SEC programs. The competition will be stiff, but UK is in a strong position.
Let’s take a look at the current wide receiver room Simmons would be walking into, which features a blend of youth, size, and speed-but not a lot of proven SEC production.
Kentucky's current scholarship WRs:
- Ashton Cozart (6-3, 197, Redshirt Junior): A veteran presence with size, still looking for a breakout moment.
- Hardley Gilmore IV (6-1, 183, Junior): Has flashed potential but hasn’t fully put it together yet.
- Cameron Miller (5-11, 167, Sophomore): Quick and shifty, but still developing as a route-runner.
- DJ Miller (6-3, 204, Sophomore): Big-bodied target who could emerge with more reps.
- Montavin Quisenberry (5-10, 170, Redshirt Freshman): Electric with the ball in his hands, but raw.
- **Quintin Simmons Jr. ** (6-1, 171, Redshirt Freshman): Another young player with upside.
- Kenny Darby, Dallas Dickerson, Denairius Gray, Prince Jean, and Davis McCray: All true freshmen, all talented, but all untested at the college level.
There’s no shortage of potential in this group, but what Kentucky lacks is a proven, go-to threat-someone who’s already shown they can produce against SEC defenses. That’s where Malcolm Simmons comes in.
His ability to stretch the field, make contested catches, and contribute in the return game adds a dynamic layer to any offense. And with Kentucky’s quarterback situation still in flux, having a reliable target like Simmons could be a stabilizing force for whoever lines up under center in 2026.
This recruitment is one to watch closely. If Kentucky can land Simmons, it won’t just be a win in the portal-it’ll be a signal that the new regime in Lexington is serious about building a high-powered offense that can compete in the SEC right away.