Wide Receivers Continue to Impress in UK Football Fall Camp

Kentucky has an experienced, deep corps of wide receivers heading into the 2024 season. That group is led by juniors Barion Brown and Dane Key, as well as transfer Ja’Mori Maclin. Following Tuesday’s practice, both offensive coordinator Bush Hamdan and wide receivers coach Daikiel Shorts spoke about the receivers.

Shorts noted that Brown has a ton of ability, but that he admires how hard he has worked in fall camp.

“I’m extremely proud of him,” Shorts said. “He is what he is. He’s electric, he’s going to make plays, he’s got some God-given ability that none of us have. Just mentally, we really wanted him to get mentally tougher and I think that’s something that he got better at this summer.”

As for Key, Shorts likes how he is preparing himself for the upcoming season.

“Dane’s had a tremendous camp,” Shorts said. “He’s a really good kid, all the boys in that room look up to him. He’s gotten extremely stronger since I’ve been here. He’s done a really good job of making some contested catches and just pushing himself to get ready for the season.”

While Brown and Key figure to be among the top targets for quarterback Brock Vandagriff, there are other players who have used fall camp to make their cases for playing time. Among those are Fred Farrier and Anthony Brown-Stephens. Hamdan likes what both of those players are doing in practices.

“Both of those guys have done a tremendous job, they really have,” Hamdan said. “Fred has probably been one of our most consistent wide receivers throughout camp. Runs precise routes, makes plays on the ball, is tough on the perimeter. We’re extremely fortunate to have him. Anthony Brown is one of the best ‘ball in hand’ guys that we have. He’s got electricity on the outside, carrying the football. We’re going to use a lot of those guys in and out. We’re excited to use them all.”

Farrier, a native of Frankfort, is a player who continues to draw praise from his coaches. Hamdan cited him as perhaps the unsung hero of fall camp.

“Fred Farrier. So much of it is, there are so many distractions these days, you still have a couple of old school, throwback guys who just come to work every day and get that done,” Hamdan said. “I would say he’s one of those guys.”

Shorts also likes what Farrier brings to the Cats.

“Fred is an unbelievable kid,” Shorts said. “He comes out here, you’re not going to hear too much from him. He might not speak the whole practice but he comes out here and he works his butt off. He plays every rep like it’s his last rep. He wants to make a play, whether it’s a block or a catch. I’m glad we’ve got him.”

Shorts likes how is receiver group is performing overall in Hamdan’s system.

“I think the biggest thing is, all of those guys are bought into coach Hamdan’s system,” Shorts said. “It makes it a lot easier. They’ve worked their tails off. They continue to do a good job.”

The deep, talented wide receiver group figures to have a major impact on the UK offense this fall. They continue to push themselves, and each other, in fall practice.