The 2024 Kentucky football team finished 4 – 8, and was a disappointment all season. Afterwards, a number of players entered the transfer portal. In addition, the Wildcats have several players who are out of eligibility, including both linebackers.
Coach Mark Stoops and his staff have reached out to several players in the portal, and have landed a potential starter at linebacker. Former Marshall linebacker Landyn Watson has committed to the Wildcats for the 2025 season.
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Watson was a top 500 recruit in the 2021 class, according to 247sports. He was rated three stars, and committed to TCU out of high school, but played sparingly before tranferring to Marshall in 2023.
In 2024, Watson broke out, recording 65 tackles including 4 for a loss. He also had an interception.
Watson was recruited as a pass rusher, so he has some versatility. The Wildcats hope he can take over for linebackers D’Eryk Jackson and Jamon Dumas-Johnson, who were a very good duo in Lexington.