Top 5 UK and UL Impact FB Transfers

Pete Hartlage and Jackson Graeter • August 30, 2024 • 130 Views

College football is officially underway, and both Kentucky and Louisville have many new players on their teams. The majority of the new key contributors have come from the transfer portal–a hot topic in college sports recently. Here is a list of the top five impact transfers to know on Kentucky and Louisville for this season.

Kentucky Football Transfers

5. Gerald Mincey

Mincey, making the move from the Wildcats' SEC rival Tennessee Volunteers, seems to have made a seamless transition earning the week one starting spot at RT. Mincey is a physically imposing player that screams SEC with his elite frame and physicality. As long as Mincey stays healthy this season he is primed to be a key piece to the “Big Blue Wall”.

Player Profile Link:

https://ukathletics.com/sports/football/roster/player/gerald-mincey/
4. Ja’Mori Maclin

The redshirt senior is poised to make an immediate impact in Lexington earning the starting slot receiver spot on the week one depth chart. Maclin coming off of a 1004 yard 11 touchdown season is finally getting his opportunity to make an impact at the Power Five level. Maclin should provide a security blanket to transfer quarterback Brock Vandagriff as well as bringing big play ability to the Wildcat's offense.

Player Profile Link:

https://ukathletics.com/sports/football/roster/player/jamori-maclin/
3. Chip Trayanum

The redshirt senior is now onto his third school, previously serving as a backup to Rachaad White at ASU and Treyveon Henderson this past season at OSU. Trayanum has never tallied 100 carries in a season and barring any setbacks is scheduled to return in week two or three from a broken hand and become the featured back in the Kentucky RB room.

Player Profile Link:

https://ukathletics.com/sports/football/roster/player/deamonte-chip-trayanum/
2. Jamon Dumas-Johnson

The former Bulldog left Athens this past season after missing the teams final 4 games with a forearm injury. Dumas-Johnson was second in tackles for the dogs in the 2021-22 season with 70. Dumas was then slotted as a preseason all American which didn’t come to fruition after his injury. Dumas-Johnson is ready for a change of scenery in Lexington and is poised to return to All-SEC level.

Player Profile Link:

https://ukathletics.com/sports/football/roster/player/jamon-dumas-johnson/
1. Brock Vandagriff

The former blue chip 5 star prospect out of Georgia decided to leave the bulldogs after spending 2 seasons serving as a backup to Stetson Bennett and Carson Beck. The true junior is a player that falls into the ‘something to prove’ category in the 2024-25 season. With his star receiving trio and revamped offensive line Brock is expected to make a major jump in production this season for the Cats.

Player Profile Link:

https://ukathletics.com/sports/football/roster/player/brock-vandagriff/

Louisville Football Transfers

5. Donald Chaney Jr.

The redshirt junior running back joins the Cardinals after spending four seasons with Miami. The former top 100 prospect had his most productive season this past year in which he totaled 478 yards and 94 carries. The veteran back is an elusive back that has good vision and explosive speed. Chaney is in good position to get a bulk of the carries after the departure of Jawhar Jordan and Isaac Guerendo to the NFL.

Player Profile Link:

https://gocards.com/sports/football/roster/donald-chaney/14527
4. Ja’Corey Brooks

The senior wide receiver transfers to Louisville after playing three seasons at Alabama. The former five star prospect had his best season in 2022, in which he totaled 37 receptions for 623 yards and 7 touchdowns. Brooks only played in three games this past season for the Crimson Tide because he was banged up all season with a shoulder injury. The crafty route runner comes to the Cardinals and will immediately be heavily relied on as a top contributor in the offense.

Player Profile Link:

https://gocards.com/sports/football/roster/ja'corey-brooks/14620
3. Thor Griffith

The redshirt senior defensive tackle transfers into Louisville after getting a degree at Harvard. Griffith is an absolute giant of a man. At, 6’2” and 320 pounds, Griffith will impose his will on opposing offensive lineman. Griffith brings elite run defense to a defensive line that already features All-American Ashton Gillotte on the edge.

Player Profile Link:

https://gocards.com/sports/football/roster/thor-griffith/14624
2. Caullin Lacy

The senior wide receiver transfers to the Cardinals after playing four seasons at South Alabama. Lacy's best season was this past season, in which he tallied 91 catches for 1316 yards and 7 touchdowns. The former first-team all Sun Belt player is a speedy slot wide receiver who also returns punts. Unfortunately, Lacy will be out for at least the first four games of the season for the Cardinals after breaking his collarbone during fall camp.

Player Profile Link:

https://gocards.com/sports/football/roster/caullin-lacy/14626
1. Tyler Shough

The 24 year old quarterback comes to Louisville after stops at Oregon and Texas Tech. The former top 100 prospect started one season at Oregon and three seasons at Texas Tech, but all of those seasons were cut short or impacted by injury. Shough, pronounced ‘Shuck,’ has a strong arm and the ability to use his legs which Louisville lacked last year. The veteran quarterback is a clear upgrade for the Cardinals at quarterback if he can stay healthy.

Player Profile Link:

https://gocards.com/sports/football/roster/tyler-shough/14635

About the Contributors

Pete Hartlage, Staff Writer

Pete, a current senior, has a highly expansive knowledge of ball. He is a former champion of the X News Bracket Challenge and an avid fan of Louisville and the Atlanta Braves. Known as an expert chef, Pete works as a cook cheffing up pizzas at Hometown Pizza. Additionally, Pete enjoys numerous other activities like watching Harry Potter and hitting the links with his buddies.

Jackson Graeter, Staff Writer

Jackson Graeter is a senior who is stoked to report for Xavier News during the 2024-25 school year. He is an avid sports fan who’s been to 6 different professional sports league games live, which are hockey, baseball, basketball, football, golf, and tennis. After losing to the dynasty which is St. Mary’s intermediate basketball last season he is prepared to hoist the intermediate basketball trophy this February.