A big season is on the horizon for the Kentucky football program. Head coach Mark Stoops has decided to lock up one of his top assistants heading into the final year of his contract.
Offensive line coach Eric Wolford has signed a one-year contract and received a $100,000 dollar pay bump in July, according to Kentucky’s Office of Legal Counsel. Wolford will make $900,000 in 2025 and $925,000 in 2026.
The 54-year-old was a member of the Kentucky football staff in 2021 before leaving to become the offensive line coach at Alabama. Eric Wolford spent two years in Tuscaloosa but became a free agent after the 2023 season when Nick Saban retired. Kentucky quickly agreed to terms with the Youngstown native that offseason. Wolford earned $350,000 from UK in 2024. That low number was due to the amount of money Alabama still owed the SEC veteran.
Kentucky Wildcats head coach Mark Pope gives direction during the first half against the Mississippi Rebels at The Sandy and John Black Pavilion at Ole Miss.
Feb 4, 2025; Oxford, Mississippi, USA; Kentucky Wildcats head coach Mark Pope gives direction during the first half against the Mississippi Rebels at The Sandy and John Black Pavilion at Ole Miss.
Mark Pope had a solid season in year one as the head coach at the University of Kentucky, taking the Wildcats to the Sweet 16 for the first time since the pandemic.
While year one was a great success, Coach Pope has put together a roster for year two that is going to be special and could lead to a national title.
Knowing how special this season could be, let’s take a look at some bold predictions about this 2025-26 season.
Three Bold Predictions About the 2025-26 Kentucky Basketball Season
1) Kam Williams will average 15+ points a game
One player who could be an absolute star for the Kentucky Wildcats is Tulane transfer Kam Williams. As a true freshman, he shot 41.2% from three on 4.6 attempts per game. Williams is a lights out shooter and has a shot to be a star in Lexington. NBA Mock Drafts already have Williams going in the first round. There is a world where Williams could average double figures, and it would be huge for this team.
2) Andrija Jelavic’s upside is a top five PF in college hoops
The real wildcard on this Kentucky team is Andrija Jelavic, who is coming over from Europe. The 6’11 power forward’s upside is through the roof, but if it hits, he can be special. He will be starting the offseason fighting for a starting spot but he very well could win the job. If Jelavic finds this upside, Kentucky will be the best team in college basketball.
3) Mark Pope wins National Coach of the Year
Many believe Mark Pope’s name should have been in the running last season for National Coach of the Year, but it was not. His roster this season is good enough to win the SEC and the National Championship. If the Wildcats have the great season many experts predict them to have Pope should win this award.
A more mature BG could mean trouble for the rest of the SEC.
Drew Brown Big Blue Drew has been covering University of Kentucky Basketball and Football for SB Nation’s A Sea Of Blue since 2017.
Brandon Garrison provided the Kentucky Wildcats with extraordinary benefits along with some much-needed front-court debt in his first season in Lexington.
Despite all of his great qualities and undeniable likability, I’m not sure that many folks would describe him as a beacon of emotional maturity.
Mark Pope had some big-time praise for Garrison during his recent meeting with local media, calling attention to his evolving transformation as an off-court leader thanks in large part to Amari Williams.
“He’ll be the first to tell you that Amari Williams was a life-changing mentor for him. He’s excited to help some other guys come along.”
Pope would follow that comment up by specifically mentioning Garrison’s proactive approach on speaking with incoming transfers about how this Kentucky coaching staff operates.
In the transfer portal era, getting reliable, unsolicited feedback about your new coaching staff from a player who’s been there and done that is a huge benefit.
When taking into consideration all of the great qualities that Garrison brings to the table, I don’t think many people would have mentioned the word leadership or mentor, so it’s incredibly encouraging to hear Coach Pope point to BG’s growth off the court.
Pope later expanded on what he hopes to see from BG in Year 2 during an interview with KSR.
“Brandon Garrison showed me some signs in the last month, and certainly this summer, where he is just — like he is growing up, man. It’s so cool to see, it’s the best thing to see as a coach,” Pope said. “He’s talking about what he wants to be. It’s no longer kind of what he is and who he is and how he acts, but it’s what he wants to become.”
After averaging 5.9 points and 3.9 rebounds per game a year ago, Garrison is expected to take on a much bigger role in 2025-26. For anyone who watched Kentucky basketball last season, you were able to see first-hand the flashes of brilliance from the 6-foot-10 Oklahoma City native.
The potential is evident, and based off Pope’s recent comments, it sounds like #10 could be taking major steps off the court to contribute to UK’s success.
The University of Kentucky men’s basketball team has unveiled a compelling non-conference schedule for the 2025–26 season, featuring a blend of historic rivalries, marquee matchups, and intriguing new opponents. Under the leadership of head coach Mark Pope, the Wildcats aim to challenge themselves early and often, preparing for a rigorous Southeastern Conference (SEC) slate and a deep postseason run.
A highlight of the upcoming season is the revival of the storied Kentucky-Indiana rivalry. The Wildcats will host the Hoosiers on December 13 at Rupp Arena, marking Indiana’s first visit to Lexington since the 2010–11 season. This game is part of a renewed series that will see the teams face off annually through 2028, alternating between Lexington, Indianapolis, and Bloomington .
Kentucky will also continue its series with Gonzaga, facing the Bulldogs on December 5 at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville. This neutral-site game is the fourth installment in a six-year series between the programs, which is currently tied 2–2. The Wildcats secured a thrilling 90–89 overtime victory in their most recent meeting in Seattle .
Another significant matchup is against Michigan State on November 18 at Madison Square Garden as part of the Champions Classic. This annual event features four of college basketball’s premier programs, and the Wildcats will look to improve upon their 2–2 record against the Spartans in this showcase .
Kentucky’s non-conference home schedule includes several notable games. On November 21, the Wildcats will host Loyola University Maryland, a team they last faced during the 2011–12 season. Five days later, on November 26, Kentucky welcomes Tennessee Tech, led by former Wildcat and Kentucky Athletics Hall of Famer John Pelphrey. The Wildcats hold a 5–0 all-time record against Tennessee Tech .
December 9 brings a first-ever meeting with North Carolina Central University (NC Central) to Rupp Arena. The Eagles, a Division I program since 2011, have made four NCAA Tournament appearances and finished the previous season with a 14–19 record .
On December 23, Kentucky will face in-state opponent Bellarmine University. This marks the second meeting between the programs, with the Wildcats winning the initial matchup 60–41 during the 2022–23 season. Bellarmine enters a new era under head coach Doug Davenport, following the retirement of his father, Scott Davenport .
Additional Noteworthy Matchups
The Wildcats’ non-conference schedule also features a road game against archrival Louisville on November 11 at the KFC Yum! Center. This early-season clash marks only the third time the teams have met in November, adding intensity to an already fierce rivalry .
On December 20, Kentucky will participate in the CBS Sports Classic, facing St. John’s at State Farm Arena in Atlanta. This neutral-site game adds another high-caliber opponent to the Wildcats’ challenging schedule .
Additionally, Kentucky is slated to participate in the SEC/ACC Challenge, with details regarding the opponent and date to be announced. This event pits teams from the SEC against those from the Atlantic Coast Conference, providing another opportunity for the Wildcats to test themselves against top-tier competition .
Conclusion
Kentucky’s 2025–26 non-conference schedule reflects a commitment to facing formidable opponents and reigniting historic rivalries. With a mix of home games, neutral-site contests, and road challenges, the Wildcats are poised to build a strong résumé ahead of SEC play. Coach Mark Pope’s strategic scheduling aims to prepare his team for the demands of the season and position Kentucky as a contender on the national stage.
Here Comes the Boom returns to discuss Braydon Hawthorne‘s commitment and how he chose Kentucky. UK wasn’t the favorite until late, but closed the deal when it mattered.
Jacob Polacheck lays out how the recruitment went down. How did Kentucky gain momentum over West Virginia and land the fast-rising guard?
Polacheck also breaks down the latest live period. Who are Kentucky’s top targets, and who is starting to emerge? He discusses the latest with Tyran Stokes, Jason Crowe Jr., Jordan Smith Jr., and Christian Collins, among others. He also breaks down the new names Kentucky is looking at.
Get the On3 Top 10 to your inbox every morning
By clicking “Subscribe to Newsletter”, I agree to On3’s Privacy Notice, Terms, and use of my personal information described therein.
Pick Your Favorite Target on FanStake
Click here to head over to FanStake and place a stake for your favorite UK target. FanStake is offering a 10x boost for stakes up to $100.
Kentucky Sports Radio has expanded its coverage of the Wildcats in the most ridiculous manner possible on our YouTube Channel. Here you will be able to find interviews with coaches and players, as well as commentary from the KSR crew. From Rapid Reactions following big events to our lengthy lineup of live shows, subscribe to the KSR YouTube Channel to stay up to date on everything happening around the Big Blue Nation.
Depth will be key for the Wildcats this year. With the signing of Braydon Hawthorne last night, Kentucky basketball now boasts arguably the deepest roster in the nation. Hawthorne would start on half the teams in the SEC, but opted to learn under Mark Pope at Kentucky and complete a dream team in Lexington.
Obviously this problem is resolved if either superstar guard Otega Oweh or Pitt transfer Jaland Lowe declare for the NBA Draft. While at this point both seem unlikely, it would bring Kentucky’s roster total down to 13, meeting NCAA requirements.
What’s more likely is that one of the fourteen players on Kentucky’s roster takes a redshirt. But which player would opt for that?
Oweh and Lowe absolutely won’t if they return. Both will be key starters for the Wildcats if they do stay in Lexington this fall.
The same goes for new transfers Kam Williams (Tulane), Mo Dioubate (Alabama), and Denzel Aberdeen (Florida). They didn’t come to Lexington to not play, nor did Andrija Jelavic, who left professional basketball in Europe to play for the Wildcats.
Center Brandon Garrison and guard Collin Chandler are both back for the Wildcats. They’ll be key bench depth for Pope behind those starters.
The same likely goes for four-star combo guard Jasper Johnson, who is Kentucky’s most high-profile recruit in the 2025 class. He figures in as key depth alongside Garrison and Chandler.
Jayden Quaintance, a high-profile recruit from Arizona who could end up as a superstar with Kentucky, could opt for a medical redshirt as he comes off of a torn ACL. He just had surgery in March to repair the tear, so it is a possibility.
However, Pope has made it sound like Quaintance will be playing again at some point this year, saying:
“We’ll see. The one thing I know about him, he’s an incredible talent and we’re going to go as fast as we can with the absolute most caution that we can.”
Even if he misses time, Quaintance could figure in the same way that Micah Handlogten did for the Gators during their championship run after suffering a major leg injury the prior season.
That leaves returning guard Trent Noah, Miami (OH) transfer center Reece Potter, and recruits Hawthorne and Malachi Moreno. Out of that crop, each is unlikely to play major minutes this year, and if they do it will be in blowout situations.
Out of those four, each can also be considered developmental. They’re more likely to feature significant minutes when they’re upperclassmen and increase their workload year by year.
Any (and possibly all) of the four could be the one to take that redshirt this year, which would alleviate Kentucky’s roster problem.
Kentucky lands a top-50 recruit to round out its 2025 class.
The Kentucky Wildcats are on the board again for next season, this time securing a commitment from 4-star small forward Braydon Hawthorne, who announced his pledge to the Wildcats on Tuesday.
Hawthorne made the call during a ceremony that was streamed by 247 Sports. He’s ranked 33rd overall in the 2025 class by 247 Sports, 35th by On3, 81st by ESPN, and is an unranked 4-star prospect at Rivals.
The 6-foot-8, 175-pound wing out of Beckley (WV) was previously committed to the Mountaineers before reopening his recruitment. After taking visits and evaluating several high-major programs, Hawthorne has decided to begin his college career at Kentucky, joining a 2025 class that includes high 4-star recruits Jasper Johnson and Malachi Moreno.
His final five schools included Kentucky, Duke, Pitt, Virginia Tech, and West Virginia. He visited Kentucky in mid-April and was considered a serious target for Wildcats head coach Mark Pope. Virginia Tech also hosted Hawthorne soon after, making a late push for the prospect.
Ultimately, his decision was viewed as a Kentucky vs. West Virginia battle, and the Cats won out thanks to the efforts of Mark Pope and Co.
Here’s a brief scouting report of Hawthorne from On3’s Jamie Shaw.
Braydon Hawthorne is a unique player. A definite late-bloomer, someone who is already producing on the national stage, but his best basketball is still clearly in front of him. Currently in the 6-foot-8, 6-foot-9 range, Hawthorne has true wing skills.
He can put the ball on the floor in the half-court to self create an opportunity. Athletically, he still needs to add strength. While he is fluid in his movements, he has average pop. However, what he does have is length and instincts, which he uses to an advantage.
Kentucky men’s basketball coach Mark Pope talks about his roster during a press conference on May 13, 2025, in Lexington. By UK AthleticsAs he was contemplating his own basketball future — the decision of whether to stay in the NBA draft or return to Florida — Alex Condon was hit with some surprising news.
Denzel Aberdeen, his Gators teammate for the past two seasons, was not only departing the program that had just won the national championship, but he was leaving it to go play for a league rival — the Kentucky Wildcats.
“It was pretty surprising,” Condon told the Herald-Leader from the NBA Combine in Chicago. “I thought it was pretty much a lock for him to come back and be our starting point guard next year. But, you know, all things happen for a reason. But I wish Denzel the best. He’s one of my brothers. We won the national championship together, so it’s been pretty special. And I just wish him the best.”
Former Kentucky player Koby Brea was also surprised by the acquisition.
It didn’t catch Brea off guard that coach Mark Pope would want Aberdeen on his 2025-26 roster, but to actually be able to pick up such a valuable player from the defending national champions was quite the stunner.
“I was a little shocked,” Brea said. “But I know that Coach liked him a lot as a player, because even when we played against Florida, he spoke very highly about everything he did. So we got to see that he was a really good player. And now to see him go to Kentucky, I think it’s pretty big.”
Aberdeen, who played three years at Florida — all under head coach Todd Golden — averaged 7.7 points in 19.7 minutes per game this past season. He played at least 14 minutes in each of the Gators’ six NCAA Tournament games — scoring seven points in 18 minutes in the national title game victory against Houston — and filled in all around the perimeter as a junior, chipping in as a backup point guard at times.
Like Condon said, he was expected to play an even bigger role during the 2025-26 season, likely stepping into a starting spot for a team with realistic hopes of returning to the Final Four.
Instead, he decided to spend his final year of college basketball playing for an SEC rival.
While records related to name, image and likeness compensation are not publicly available, it’s known in college basketball circles that Aberdeen entered the transfer portal in search of better NIL possibilities than he was set to receive at Florida next season.
Kentucky, obviously, was able to lock down his commitment.
“I really wasn’t surprised. I mean, honestly, the way college basketball is going, everybody is their own CEO,” said Florida guard Alijah Martin, who is out of college eligibility. “And it’s a business. So you got to do what’s best for you sometimes. I’m not really surprised, but I respect his decision, for sure.”
Walter Clayton Jr., the Gators’ Final Four MVP and another player who’s finished with college basketball, struck a similar tone.
“I wouldn’t say surprised,” he said of Aberdeen’s decision. “Obviously, Zell is a great kid. That’s my brother. You know, we’ve been at war together. Zell is a great guy, and he made the best decision for himself.”
All three Gators raved about their time spent alongside Aberdeen, who is expected to play a major role in Kentucky’s backcourt, which projects to be among the nation’s best next season.
“He’s an unbelievable teammate, man,” Martin said. “He’s a very selfless guy. He’s a worker. And he loves to be coached. So Denzel is going to be really good for Kentucky, for sure.”
While Aberdeen was largely a bench player during his time in Gainesville, he did get the opportunity to start five consecutive SEC games late in the season. During that stretch, he averaged 14.4 points in 29.8 minutes per game, shooting 12-for-29 (41.4%) on 3-pointers.
Florida went 5-0 with Aberdeen in the starting lineup, with an average winning margin of 15.2 points during that span, which included a 90-81 win at No. 1-ranked Auburn.
“I think he’s gonna be a killer,” Condon said. “I mean, he works really hard. I’ve never seen anyone work as hard as Denzel does. He had three years at Florida, and this season, he kind of put some stuff together — he started a few games — and started playing really well.
“But there’s a lot of guys, and he’s gonna have to prove himself with Kentucky, too.”
Clayton, who’s projected as a first-round pick in this year’s NBA draft, said he’s hoping the 2025-26 schedules align so he can catch his former teammate in person at his new school. Just don’t expect the Gator great to be wearing blue and white.
“I expect a great season,” Clayton said. “I’m hoping to make it to one of the games. He says he’s got a ticket ready for me. I’ll be wearing a Gators Denzel jersey.”
Would he be brave enough to wear that jersey in Rupp Arena?
“Wherever,” Clayton declared with a smile. “Wherever it is.”
Crowe plans to make a decision in December or January.
chrisbeasmore A sports writer for A Sea of Blue. Beasmore helps to cover Kentucky football and basketball recruiting and the big games coming up for Kentucky sports.
One of the top players in the class of 2026 is already feeling the pull of Big Blue Nation.
Jason Crowe Jr., a 6-foot-3, 170-pound 5-star point guard, is one of the most electric prospects in the country, and the Kentucky Wildcats are firmly on his radar.
The standout floor general recently spoke about his recruitment and his impression of the Wildcats under new head coach Mark Pope.
“It’s a great program. Definitely wouldn’t mind going there,” Crowe Jr. told Jack Pilgrim of KSR. “They have a great coach in Coach Pope. They have good guards coming in. They have a good, well-rounded facility, too.”
His father, Jason Crowe Sr., is a close friend of Kentucky assistant Jason Hart. The two were high school teammates together at Inglewood and remained close over the years. Crowe Jr. even described Hart as “like an uncle.” That relationship and familiarity will likely give UK an advantage.
Kentucky isn’t alone in its pursuit. Crowe Jr. also listed Baylor, USC, UCLA, Arkansas, Texas, and Arizona as the other programs recruiting him the hardest. All are national powers vying for one of the most skilled guards in the 2026 class, who is even ranked sixth overall by 247 Sports Composite.
Known for his elite quickness, vision, and leadership, Crowe Jr. continues to rise in the national rankings after a standout sophomore season.
As for his decision timeline, Crowe Jr. says fans won’t have to wait too long.
“I’m probably going to commit before December — either December or January,” Crow Jr. told KSR.
Is Kentucky a top-10 team even if Otega Oweh doesn’t return?
NCAA Basketball: NCAA Tournament Midwest Regional-Kentucky at Tennessee
Mark Pope and his Kentucky Wildcats are gearing up for year two in the new era in Lexington.
Pope has been working hard to reload his veteran roster in the transfer portal and has brought in some young stars like Jasper Johnson and Malachi Moreno.
One name that is still debating on returning to Lexington or declaring for the draft is Otega Oweh.
Oweh is coming off a breakout season with Pope and the Wildcats and quickly became one of the most important pieces to the team’s success.
SB Nation’s Mike Rutherford believes Oweh is one of 12 NBA Draft decisions that could make or break their respective teams.
Rutherford wrote, “After transferring in from Oklahoma, Oweh was a breakout star for Mark Pope in his first season at Kentucky. The 6’4 guard led the Wildcats in scoring at 16.1 ppg, and consistently showcased an explosive athleticism that the college basketball world had only caught glimpses of during his time in Norman.
“Pope has once again loaded up in the portal, and Kentucky figures to be a preseason top 10 team with or without Oweh, but its national title hopes will receive a significant boost if they can get the elite slasher and on-ball defender back to Lexington for one more run.”
With all the additions to the team’s roster, Rutherford sees Kentucky as a top-10 caliber team with or without Oweh. This is a bold claim, considering some preseason rankings have Kentucky just outside the top 10, even with Oweh expected to return. Kentucky has a world of potential, even without Oweh, but potential doesn’t always equate to wins.
Oweh was Kentucky’s engine last season, especially after the team lost Jaxson Robinson to a season-ending injury, so he would be a massive keeper for a talented roster coming in.
A senior Oweh would instantly be a veteran who has played in Pope’s system, which will only boost this promi
.JPG "Aberdeen (1).JPG")
