The Governor’s Cup rivalry just got a whole lot spicier - and this time, it’s not just about the coaches. The transfer portal has turned into a battleground between Kentucky and Louisville, and the latest twist comes from the offensive trenches.
Late Saturday night, Evan Wibberley - a Northern Kentucky native and former Kentucky Wildcat - committed to play for Louisville. That makes seven players this offseason who either played for Kentucky or once pledged to the Wildcats, now flipping to the Cardinals. The portal has become the new front line in this in-state war, and both sides are making moves that’ll be felt on the field this fall.
Wibberley’s journey is one that crisscrosses the Commonwealth. He started his career at Western Kentucky, where he earned All-Conference USA Honorable Mention honors in 2024 as the starting center for an 8-win Hilltoppers squad. That performance got Kentucky’s attention, and the Wildcats brought him in to potentially anchor their offensive line in 2025.
But things didn’t go as planned in Lexington.
Jager Burton, a veteran lineman, added weight and shifted to center - and thrived. He started every game and graded out as Kentucky’s top offensive lineman last season, pushing Wibberley into a backup role. The previous coaching staff had Wibberley penciled in to take over in 2026, but the coaching change from Mark Stoops to Will Stein and Cutter Leftwich reshuffled the deck.
Instead of waiting his turn, Wibberley watched the new staff bring in Coleton Price - a former Baylor starter and the No. 33 player in the portal - as well as three more interior linemen. That was the writing on the wall. Wibberley entered the portal and found a new home in Louisville, where the depth chart may offer a clearer path to playing time.
And here’s a fun wrinkle: Wibberley may have just become the first player ever to suit up for all three FBS programs in the state - Western Kentucky, Kentucky, and now Louisville. That’s a rare trifecta, and one that underscores just how fluid college football rosters have become in the transfer era.
Louisville isn’t just adding depth - they’re poaching talent straight from their biggest rival. In addition to Wibberley, the Cardinals have scooped up wide receiver Montavin Quisenberry, edge rushers Jacob Smith and Javeon Campbell, defensive lineman Jerod Smith II, and cornerback DJ Waller Jr. That’s a serious haul from Lexington.
And while wide receiver Hardley Gilmore initially committed to Louisville, he later flipped to Baylor - a reminder that nothing’s official until the ink dries.
As of now, only three Kentucky players who entered the portal this offseason remain uncommitted. With Vince Marrow still heavily involved in recruiting and Jeff Brohm building something strong in Louisville, don’t be surprised if those names find homes soon - possibly even within the state.
Here’s a full breakdown of Kentucky’s transfer portal departures this offseason:
- LB Landyn Watson - Kansas
- **EDGE Steven Soles Jr.
** - Arkansas
- QB Stone Saunders - San Diego State
- **WR David Washington Jr. ** - Undecided
- WR Preston Bowman - Ohio
- DT Austin Ramsey - Kansas State
- WR Troy Stellato - Undecided
- EDGE Javeon Campbell - Louisville
- **CB DJ Waller Jr. ** - Louisville
- EDGE Jacob Smith - Louisville
- DL Jerod Smith II - Louisville
- QB Cutter Boley - Arizona State
- WR Montavin Quisenberry - Louisville
- RB Dante Dowdell - Georgia
- S Cam Dooley - Florida
- DB Quay’Sheed Scott - South Carolina
- RB Jamarion Wilcox - Marshall
- WR Cameron Miller - Ole Miss
- WR Hardley Gilmore - Baylor (after initial Louisville commitment)
- OT Darrin Strey - LSU
- C Evan Wibberley - Louisville
The portal window officially closed on Jan. 16, but that only marked the deadline for players to declare their intent to transfer. With the MLK holiday pushing paperwork into the week, more announcements could trickle in. So far, 21 players have exited Kentucky’s program in the wake of the coaching change - a significant turnover, but not unexpected in today’s college football landscape.
Between the coaching carousel and the portal whirlwind, the Governor’s Cup rivalry is no longer just a once-a-year showdown. It’s a year-round chess match - and right now, Louisville’s making bold moves.