Kentucky football continues to make quiet but meaningful moves as the transfer portal winds down, and their latest addition might not have made national headlines-but it’s the kind of under-the-radar pickup that can pay off down the line.
Defensive lineman Ben Reeves has officially committed to the Wildcats, announcing his decision on social media. He brings three years of eligibility to Lexington and adds another layer of depth to a defensive front that’s been steadily reloading this offseason.
Reeves is coming off a productive season at Georgetown College, an NAIA program, where he played in 10 games and made his presence felt. At 6-foot-1 and 240 pounds, he notched 30 tackles, 5.0 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, two pass breakups, and a forced fumble last fall. Those are solid numbers that show a knack for disruption-particularly for a player making the jump from the NAIA ranks to the SEC.
He’s not a stranger to the Bluegrass State, either. A Northern Kentucky native, Reeves played his high school ball at Covington Catholic, where he shared the field with current Kentucky tight end Willie Rodriguez.
The duo helped lead their team to the Class 4A State Championship Game at Kroger Field during their senior year, a run that ended against a tough Boyle County squad. Now, they’ll reunite in Lexington, this time wearing blue and white.
Reeves joins a rapidly growing list of new faces in Kentucky’s 2026 roster overhaul. With the SEC expanding roster limits from 85 to 105 players-including preferred walk-ons-programs like Kentucky have more flexibility than ever to reshape their depth chart. That’s exactly what head coach Mark Stoops and his staff have been doing.
So far this offseason, Kentucky has brought in 28 transfers-an aggressive approach that reflects the evolving nature of roster management in the portal era. And it’s not just about numbers; the Wildcats have targeted a mix of high-upside underclassmen and experienced veterans, many of whom come from Power Five programs.
Here’s a look at the full list of portal additions:
- Olaus Alinen, a massive 6-6, 322-pound guard/tackle from Alabama, brings SEC pedigree and versatility to the offensive line.
- Jesse Anderson, a 6-0 safety from Pittsburgh, adds depth and experience to the secondary.
- Max Anderson, an interior lineman from Tennessee, helps bolster the trenches.
- Elijah “Bo” Barnes, a 244-pound linebacker from Texas, is a physical presence with room to grow.
- Jovantae Barnes and CJ Baxter Jr., both running backs from Oklahoma and Texas respectively, give the backfield a serious injection of talent.
- Ahmad Breaux, Jamarrion Harkless, and Dominic Wiseman are key additions to the interior defensive line, each bringing size and SEC-level experience.
- Jordan Castell and Cyrus Reyes strengthen the safety group, with Castell coming in as a senior from Florida.
- Brock Coffman, Xavier Daisy, and Ja’Kayden Ferguson add length and athleticism to the wide receiver room.
- Aaron Gates and Hasaan Sykes provide flexibility in the defensive backfield.
- Lance Heard, a 6-6, 330-pound tackle who’s made stops at both LSU and Tennessee, is a potential anchor on the offensive line.
- Mark Manfred III and Mark Robinson add depth at corner and tackle, respectively.
- Kenny Minchey and JacQai Long give Kentucky two intriguing options at quarterback with different skill sets.
- Antonio O’Berry, an edge rusher with a long frame, brings experience from both D-II and FCS levels.
- Coleton Price and Tegra Tshabola are interior offensive linemen with size and starting potential.
- Tavion Wallace, a linebacker from Arkansas, has the tools to contribute early.
- Spencer Radnoti (long snapper) and Adam Zouagui (kicker) round out the special teams unit.
With the portal set to close at midnight on Friday, Kentucky’s staff is making every hour count. Whether it’s a headline-grabbing Power Five transfer or a small-school standout like Ben Reeves, the Wildcats are clearly focused on building depth, competition, and versatility across the board.
And while Reeves may not have the name recognition of some of his new teammates, don’t be surprised if he carves out a role. Players who’ve had to grind their way up from smaller programs often bring a chip on their shoulder-and that edge can translate in a big way on Saturdays in the SEC.