Kentucky football’s offseason roster shuffle continues, with wide receiver Troy Stellato and defensive tackle Austin Ramsey the latest Wildcats set to enter the transfer portal. Both players are expected to seek new opportunities elsewhere, adding to a growing list of departures as the program navigates another busy portal cycle.
Let’s start with Stellato. The former Clemson slot receiver came to Lexington with a solid résumé-real Power Five production, good hands, and experience in big moments.
But his time in Kentucky never quite took off. Stellato appeared in just four games this season, logging a single reception for four yards in a matchup against Texas.
He also saw limited action as a punt returner, but ultimately couldn’t carve out a steady role in the Wildcats’ offense.
It’s a bit of a head-scratcher considering what Stellato showed at Clemson. Across his career with the Tigers, he hauled in 66 catches for 604 yards and two touchdowns.
His most productive campaign came in 2023, when he posted 38 receptions for 321 yards and a score. That season ended with a strong showing in the Gator Bowl-ironically, against Kentucky-where he caught four passes for 42 yards.
But injuries have followed Stellato throughout his college career, and unfortunately, they once again limited his availability in Lexington.
On the defensive side, Kentucky is set to lose depth up front with Austin Ramsey also planning to enter the portal. The 6-foot-4, 303-pound redshirt sophomore played 137 snaps this season at nose guard, finishing with five tackles and one sack. While he wasn’t a starter, Ramsey was a key rotational piece on the interior-a space-eater who helped keep the defensive line fresh during long SEC battles.
With Stellato and Ramsey on the move, Kentucky’s portal list continues to grow. They join linebacker Landyn Watson, EDGE Steven Soles Jr., quarterback Stone Saunders, wideouts David Washington Jr. and Preston Bowman, and cornerback Nasir Addison among the players expected to explore new destinations when the portal officially opens on Friday, Jan. 2.
For Kentucky’s coaching staff, the challenge now is twofold: backfill the roster spots with the right fits from the portal, and develop the younger talent already on campus. Stellato’s departure leaves a hole in the slot, where the Wildcats were already looking for more consistency. Ramsey’s exit thins out the depth chart at nose, a position that’s critical in the trenches of SEC play.
This is the new normal in college football-rosters are fluid, and programs have to adapt quickly. For Kentucky, the next few weeks will be about more than just replacing names. It’s about retooling for the long haul, and making sure the pieces they bring in can contribute right away.