In the ever-evolving landscape of college football, the rules of roster construction are shifting - and Kentucky is already playing ahead of the curve.
Gone are the days of the rigid 85-scholarship limit that forced coaching staffs into tough decisions: take a flyer on a raw but promising high school kid, or plug a hole with a transfer who can contribute right away. Now, with the NCAA moving to a 105-player roster cap and removing the scholarship ceiling, the game has changed.
Programs no longer have to choose between development and depth - they can have both. And Kentucky’s offensive coordinator Will Stein seems to be embracing that philosophy with conviction.
Tyler Wright: A developmental gem from Oklahoma
Let’s start with Tyler Wright, a safety out of Bixby High School in Oklahoma. You won’t find him lighting up the recruiting rankings, and that’s kind of the point.
In the old system, a player like Wright might’ve been offered a preferred walk-on spot - or overlooked entirely. But in this new model?
He’s exactly the kind of athlete you bring in, redshirt, and let marinate in your strength program.
Wright comes from a powerhouse program at Bixby, which has churned out its fair share of winners. He’s got the pedigree, the work ethic, and now, the opportunity.
Kentucky doesn’t need him to be ready on Day 1. They’re betting on what he could be in Year 3 - and that’s the kind of long-term vision that builds sustainable success.
Isaiah Jackson: Flipping the script - and a Cardinal
Then there’s Isaiah Jackson, a name that’s already resonating with Big Blue Nation - and not just because of his talent. Jackson, a Rockcastle County native, had been committed to Louisville before flipping to Kentucky. That’s a win on multiple fronts.
Anytime you flip a recruit from your biggest rival, it’s a statement. But this one hits even deeper.
Jackson is a 3-star in-state prospect, and keeping local talent home has always been a priority for programs that want to build from within. This isn’t just about winning a recruiting battle - it’s about reinforcing the idea that the best players in Kentucky should be wearing blue and white, not red and black.
A culture-first approach in a portal-driven era
What we’re seeing from Kentucky right now is a clear shift in strategy - one that prioritizes culture, continuity, and player development over quick fixes and portal splashes. Think of it as college football’s version of “Moneyball.”
Find undervalued talent. Get them in the system.
Redshirt them. Teach them the playbook.
Let them grow in your strength program. And by the time they’re redshirt sophomores?
You’ve got 21-year-old veterans who know your culture inside and out.
Compare that to the alternative: grabbing a junior from the portal who’s learning your scheme and your locker room on the fly. There’s a place for transfers - no doubt - but they’re supplements, not the foundation.
The portal risk - and the bigger picture
Sure, there’s always a risk. Develop a guy for two or three years, and there’s a chance he hits the portal when he finally blossoms.
That’s the nature of today’s game. But you can’t build a program based on fear.
If you stop investing in high school talent because you're afraid of losing them, you’ve already lost.
Mark Stoops learned that the hard way over the past couple of years, leaning heavily on the portal to fill gaps. It worked in spots, but it didn’t build the kind of depth or identity that sustains a program through the grind of SEC play.
Now, with Will Stein helping steer the ship, Kentucky is doubling down on a model that’s about more than just filling holes - it’s about building a foundation. Get the right kids in the building.
Show them the culture. Let them grow in it.
And trust that once they see what Kentucky football is all about, they’ll want to stay.
That’s not just a smart strategy - it’s the kind of long-term thinking that could give Kentucky a real edge in the new era of college football.