Tag: dane key

Wide receiver Dane Key officially signs with Nebraska

It’s official for the former Kentucky wide receiver.

A former Kentucky Wildcat wide receiver is officially a Cornhusker. Wide Receiver Dane Key officially signed with Nebraska on Wednesday afternoon. Key committed to the Huskers just before Christmas.

He recorded 47 catches for 715 yards and two touchdowns last season. He had two games of at least 100 receiving yards in 2024. The first game was against Ohio on September 21. He caught seven passes for 145 yards in a contest. He followed that up with an eight-catch, 105-yard performance against the Ole Miss Rebels the following week.

Key gives the Huskers a veteran body in the wide receiver room. He will be able to provide production right now and help bridge the gap between the freshman and upperclassmen wide receivers.

It will be interesting to see Key’s role in this offense in 2025. This was a solid acquisition for a wide receiver room that continues to be loaded up. The program also landed another solid weapon for quarterback Dylan Raiola.

Find a photo gallery of Dane Key’s Kentucky career below.

Elite transfer WR Dane Key commits to Big Ten school over Georgia

Transfer wide receiver Dane Key has announced his commitment

Georgia Bulldogs transfer wide receiver target Dane Key has found a new college football home.

On Wednesday, Key announced he is transferring to the Nebraska Cornhuskers for his final year of eligibility.

Ole Miss and Georgia aggressively pursued the talented wide receiver. Key took an official visit to Lincoln, Nebraska, over the weekend and the Huskers wrapped up the commitment even though many believed Georgia was the heavy favorite. There were also online rumors that he had committed to Georgia, but that was not the case.

Key spent three years playing for the Kentucky Wildcats. He set the freshman receiving touchdown record with six in 2022. He concluded his Kentucky career with 14 touchdowns and 1,870 receiving yards on 126 receptions. He ranks fifth in school history in career receiving yards.

With Key and Isaiah Horton committed to other schools, Georgia’s focus has shifted to USC transfer wide receiver Zachariah Branch.

Former Kentucky receiver Dane Key has chosen his new team

Former Kentucky football receiver Dane Key will transfer to Nebraska.

Although Kentucky fans will have many a gift to unwrap this Christmas, Tuesday’s transfer portal news may feel more like a lump of coal.

Standout former Wildcat receiver Dane Key has transferred to Nebraska, per the player’s personal Twitter account.

Per On3’s 2022 recruiting rankings, Key was the 266th ranked prospect in the 2022 class. He was the 45th ranked receiver in the country and the top-overall prospect in the state of Kentucky.

He’s been a standout for Kentucky opposite the now-transferred Barion Brown. Through his three seasons with the Wildcats, the 6’2″ wideout totaled 126 receptions for 1,870 yards and 14 touchdowns.

Related: Incoming transfer portal tracker for Kentucky football

Key was ranked as On3’s 9th best transfer portal player in the country and 6th ranked wide receiver overall.

The Wildcats have already pounced on the open market to replace their departing receiving talent, adding J.J. Hester from Oklahoma and Kendrick Law from Alabama.

Kentucky also picked up a new quarterback, adding Zach Calzada from Incarnate Word to bridge the gap while Cutter Boley continues to develop.

Regardless of who lines up for the Wildcats next year, it will be a new-look Kentucky football squad.

UGA football favorites to add nation’s No. 10 transfer

UGA football is favored to land transfer wide receiver, who was Kentucky’s leading receiver in 2024

The Georgia Bulldogs are the favorites to land a commitment from Kentucky Wildcats transfer wide receiver Dane Key.

Pete Nakos of On3 (subscription required) has a medium level of confidence that Georgia will reel in Key, who is the No. 4 wide receiver and No. 10 overall prospect in the transfer portal. Key is ranked as a four-star transfer, per 247Sports.

Key is also considering the Ole Miss Rebels, but the Rebels have already gained commitments from a pair of wide receiver transfers, including Alabama’s Caleb Odom. Odom is a former four-star recruit.

Nakos notes his projection is based on his intel.

“This is where I believe these eight players will land (if he had to make a prediction),” said Nakos. One of Nakos’ predictions has already become a reality. Washington State transfer quarterback John Mateer committed to Oklahoma as Nakos predicted with a high level of confidence.

Kentucky wide receiver Dane Key would help replenish Georgia’s wide receiver room, which is expected to lose several key contributors this offseason, including Arian Smith and Dominic Lovett.

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Key was Kentucky’s most productive receiver in 2024. He posted a team-high 47 receptions for 715 yards and two touchdowns for the Wildcats despite Kentucky’s offensive inconsistencies.

Kentucky transfer WR Dane Key visiting Georgia

Kentucky’s leading receiver from the 2024 college football season is set to visit Georgia

Kentucky Wildcats transfer wide receiver Dane Key is reportedly going to visit the Georgia Bulldogs. Key, who was Kentucky’s leading receiver in 2024, is a speed threat that would immediately contribute for Georgia..

The 6-foot-3 210 pound receiver from Lexington, Kentucky, has one year of eligibility remaining. Key recorded 47 catches for 715 yards last season at Kentucky, averaging 15.2 yards per reception. This past season was his best season during his college career.

Now, Key is seeking a new destination to conclude his college career. Key has accumulated 126 career receptions for 1,870 yards, 14 touchdowns, and an excellent 14.7 yards per catch.

Known for his amazing speed, big-play ability, and his continued progression year in and year out. His size, speed and his ability to catch the 50/50 balls makes him a very coveted transfer. He is planning a visit to Georgia and has already scheduled a visit to Louisville, while Nebraska and South Carolina are also expected to be in the running for Key’s services.

Georgia is actively addressing its wide receiver position in the transfer portal this offseason, as Dillon Bell, Dominic Lovett, Arian Smith, and Colbie Young could all enter the 2024 NFL draft.

Georgia Tech transfer wide receiver Eric Singleton is also expected to visit Georgia.

Key has faced Georgia all of his three years at Kentucky. Seeing the success of the Bulldogs could be a pitch that will attract Key to be part of the UGA program.

Could the Huskers sign top Kentucky wide receiver who entered transfer portal?

Could one of Kentucky’s wide receivers be a target for the Cornhuskers in the transfer portal?

This week, the Nebraska Cornhuskers added wide receiver coach Daikiel Shorts Jr. to their staff. Shorts Jr. has extensive ties to offensive coordinator Dana Holgorsen but this past season, Shorts was the wide receivers coach for the Kentucky Wildcats.

The wide receiver position will once again be a key one for the Huskers this offseason as they look to add more offensive weapons around the young Dylan Raiola. On Wednesday, a potential wide receiver target announced their intentions to enter the transfer portal.

That player also so happens to be one of Shorts Jr.’s now former players, Kentucky leading receiver Dane Key. The Lexington, Kentucky native was the Wildcats’ leading receiver in 2024 with 47 receptions for 715 yards and two touchdowns.

For his career, Key played in 36 games for Kentucky over the past three seasons, totaling 126 receptions for 1,870 yards and 14 touchdowns.

This fall, the Huskers leading receiver was Jahmal Banks, a transfer from Wake Forest. Banks put together a quality season but fell short of his career highs with 40 receptions for 508 yards and three touchdowns. Isaiah Neyor and Jacory Barney Jr also finished the 2024 regular season with over 400 receiving yards.

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Kentucky football is losing a star receiver to the tranfer portal

Kentucky wide receiver Dane Key has announced he is entering the transfer portal.

A new offseason brings change to Kentucky football. With the opening of the transfer portal just around the corner, the Wildcats have already had announcements from Keeshawn Silver and Courtland Ford among others. Now, wide receiver Dane Key is set to join them.

On Wednesday, Key announced his intention to enter the portal, a big blow for the Wildcats. He amassed 126 receptions, 1,870 yards, and 14 touchdowns in three years in Lexington, and would have certainly been a key piece of the offense next year.

Related: Eight options to replace Mark Stoops

The former four-star prospect had this to say in an Instagram post on Wednesday:

I am incredibly grateful to the University of Kentucky for the opportunity to be a part of such an amazing program and community. The experiences, the memories, and relationships I’ve built here will always hold a special place in my heart. I want to thank my coaches, teammates, and the entire Kentucky staff for their support and belief in me throughout my time here. Most importantly, I want to thank God for guiding me on this journey and blessing me with the opportunity to grow both as an athlete and as an individual. After much prayer and reflection, I’ve made the decision to enter the transfer portal for my final year.

Key will certainly be missed, and Big Blue Nation wishes him the best, wherever he winds up.

Best photos from Kentucky football’s Week 4 victory over Ohio Bobcats

We take a look at some of the best photos from the Wildcats’ 41-6 win over Ohio on Saturday.

The Kentucky Wildcats got back in the win column Saturday with a much-needed 41-6 victory over the Ohio Bobcats at Kroger Field.

The win snapped a two-game losing streak after Kentucky was blown out by South Carolina in Week 2, only to take the top-ranked Georgia Bulldogs down to the wire a week later in Lexington.

After a slow start Saturday, the offense found the end-zone for the first time in nine quarters. Demie Sumo-Karngbaye had two short touchdown runs and Barion Brown had a 23-yard rush for a score.

Quarterback Brock Vandagriff finished 17-of-24 for 237 yards with receiver Dane Key hauling in seven catches for a career-high 145 yards. The Wildcats finished the afternoon with 488 total yards.

Defensively, Kentucky held Ohio to 223 yards. Cornerback Maxwell Hairston had a 25-yard interception return for a touchdown in the third quarter that gave Kentucky a 27-0 lead en route to the victory.

RELATED: Social media reacts to Kentucky football’s blowout of Ohio

Kentucky will face No. 5 Ole Miss next Saturday at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Kickoff is set for noon ET.

Here are some of the best photos from Kentucky’s victory over Ohio at Kroger Field Saturday.

Taking an early look at the Kentucky football 2024 roster: Wide receiver

Taking a look at the wide receiver position for the 2024 Kentucky Wildcats

The 2024 Kentucky Wildcats football team has some questions on offense, particularly at quarterback and running back. One position that should be a strength, however, is wide receiver.

The Wildcats bring some very talented receivers back from last season, and added to it with some newcomers who should contribute right away. They lost just one contributor from 2023, and coaches will have a plethora of options out wide.

Junior Dane Key was the team’s leading receiver last season, with 42 receptions for 636 yards and 6 touchdowns. He has good size and big play ability.

Barion Brown is another returnee who could have a big season. He had 43 catches for over 500 yards and 4 scores, but could be even better in 2024.

Ja’Mori Maclin is a talented transfer who played at Missouri and then North Texas before coming to Lexington. He had over 1,000 yards and 11 touchdowns last season, and brings a home run threat to the unit.

Brandon White is on the smaller side at 5’9″ and 167 lbs, but he can fly. They’ll try to work his speed into the rotation.

Anthony Brown-Stephens caught just 5 passes last year, but did have a score. He should see some time in the slot for the Wildcats.

Raymond Cottrell and Fred Farrior II are transfers from Texas A&M and Alabama-Birmingham respectively. Like Key, Cottrell is a big receiver who could force his way onto the field.

Hardley Gilmore IV and David Washington are talented incoming Freshmen who will look to find the field as well.

The Wildcats coaching staff has a solid group of players at receiver next season. Finding the right rotation will be an important part of the offseason.

Michigan State listed in 2022 4-star WR Dane Key’s top 10

Michigan State is still in the running for a big-time wide receiver prospect in the 2022 class.

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Michigan State is still in the running for a big-time wide receiver prospect in the 2022 class.

Dane Key —  who is a four-star wide receiver from Lexington, Ky. — revealed his top 10 schools list on Sunday, and Michigan State cracked the list. Along with Michigan State, Key named Arkansas, Virginia Tech, Purdue, Wisconsin, Oregon, South Carolina, Mississippi State, Virginia and Kentucky as his other schools in his top 10.

Key is listed at 6-foot-2 and 170 pounds, and plays for Frederick Douglass High in Lexington. Key is ranked as the No. 34 wide receiver prospect and No. 229 overall recruit in the 2022 class by 247Sports.

As of right now, Key is projected to end up at the hometown Wildcats of Kentucky, according to 247Sports. Crystal Ball projections have been wrong before, of course, so it’s still good to see the Spartans remain in the hunt for this highly-touted wide receiver.

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