Kentucky’s name was nowhere to be found in the first preseason AP Poll, and honestly, that was about as expected as it gets.
Will Stein’s debut run in Lexington comes with some real optimism after a shortened offseason and a top 10 transfer portal class, but the Wildcats still opened 2026 on the outside looking in. For now, they’re the underdog version of Kentucky football - even if the pieces are starting to look more interesting by the week.
Louisville did squeeze into the rankings at No. 24, which only adds a little extra sting from the Kentucky side of the state. Still, the bigger picture is clear enough: the poll itself didn’t deliver many shocks, Kentucky has seven opponents on the schedule who are already ranked, and there’s a path for the Wildcats to work their way into the conversation later.
That part matters because preseason rankings have not exactly been part of Kentucky’s recent reality. The Wildcats haven’t been ranked before a season since 2022, when they entered at No.
- Stein may be able to put together a strong first year, but the next group already looks like the one with a real chance to change that trend.
There’s plenty to like about what’s coming next, starting with No. 2 overall quarterback Jake Nawrot and a recruiting class currently sitting at No. 23 nationally by 247Sports. Those are the kinds of pieces that can lift the ceiling for a program, and Stein has already started doing that in Lexington.
The bigger questions are still ahead. Whether Kentucky can finally break through in 2027 will depend in part on what the returners from this season become.
Will Kenny Minchey grow into the kind of star Kentucky is hoping for at quarterback? Can the weapons around him, including freshman Kenny Darby, take a step forward when that time comes?
There’s also the matter of Stein himself. He has never been a head coach before, no matter how confident he sounds. If he proves to be the right man for the job, his second Kentucky team could have plenty of upside on paper.
For this season, the offense may end up being the swing factor. Stein’s reputation from Oregon is part of the buzz, and even though he isn’t the one calling plays - that job belongs to coordinator Joe Sloan - his influence should be all over the unit led by Minchey.
To make noise against teams like Alabama or LSU, Kentucky is probably going to need multiple offensive breakout performances. That’s a tall order, but with the schedule the Wildcats are facing, it may be the only way to make a real dent. If nothing else, Big Blue Nation can hope for a team that disrupts the SEC now while Stein keeps building toward something bigger later.
In Other News...
JaKayden Ferguson Is Giving Kentucky Fans A Reason To Watch This WR Battle
JaKayden Ferguson is starting to make some noise in Kentuckys wide receiver room as the Wildcats move closer to the 2026 season opener. The former Arkansas transfer has been drawing steady praise from the coaching staff, and his name keeps surfacing after a recent scrimmage as Kentucky looks for more certainty in a position group that still has plenty to sort out.
Will Stein pointed to Fergusons toughness and the way he has handled the daily grind in practice, which has helped him stand out in a crowded competition. The staff has also been shifting him around and seeing how quickly he picks up the offense, a good sign for a player who is trying to carve out a bigger role before the games start to count. [Read more 🡒]