Good News: Just Now Kentucky Wildcats Football Just Officially Announced The Signing Of Another Top Experienced Star Player…

Kentucky football continues to be aggressive in building its roster, and one of the latest focuses for head coach Mark Stoops and recruiting coordinator Vince Marrow is the tight end room. Their current top target: Elijah Brown, a 6-foot-6, 250-pound tight end whose collegiate journey has taken him through Alabama, Florida Atlantic (FAU), and most recently UCF. Brown is currently visiting Lexington on a transfer visit, and sources confirm Kentucky is pushing hard to land him.

🧬 A Reconnection Years in the Making

Elijah Brown’s relationship with Kentucky isn’t new. Coming out of Wayne High School in Dayton, Ohio, Brown was a top-250 national recruit and the No. 8 tight end in the 2021 class. Kentucky was heavily involved in his recruitment thanks to Vince Marrow’s deep ties to Ohio, but Brown initially opted to begin his college career at Alabama.

At Alabama, Brown redshirted during his freshman year and then transferred to FAU, where he played primarily on special teams over two seasons. However, in his second year there, he began to show flashes of potential both as a receiver—including a 22-yard reception—and a blocker. That led to a short stint at UCF beginning in January 2024, but his time there has already come to a close as he now evaluates his options once again.

Now that he’s back on the market, Kentucky appears ready to pick up where it left off, and Marrow’s prior relationship with Brown may be the key to finally bringing him into the fold.

🔁 Tight End Room Needs Experience and Depth

Kentucky’s interest in Brown reflects both a short-term and long-term strategy for the tight end position. While the current group offers some young talent and developmental promise, the room is relatively thin on proven veterans with experience in high-level competition.

Here’s Kentucky’s current tight end depth:

• Josh Kattus—the most experienced returner—brings toughness and blocking ability.
• Willie Rodriguez—A young player with upside but still developing.
• Jack Monday
• Henry Boyer
• Mikkel Skinner
• Justin Kattus

The tight end position is key to Kentucky’s offense under OC Liam Coen, particularly in the run game and red zone. Adding someone like Brown, who brings size, SEC-level physicality, and special teams value, could offer immediate rotational support while also being a long-term asset with two years of eligibility remaining.

📈 A Strategic Fit for Liam Coen’s System

This pursuit of Brown is not just about plugging a short-term hole. Tight end has always been a foundational piece of Coen’s pro-style scheme. Past players like C.J. Conrad and Justin Rigg have thrived in that system, offering a mix of inline blocking, pass-catching ability, and physical presence.

Brown fits that profile well. He’s a true combo tight end — big enough to block edge defenders, mobile enough to contribute in the passing game, and experienced enough to step onto the field without the steep learning curve younger players might face.

Kentucky’s offense will continue to rely heavily on the run, particularly with a talented stable of running backs. That makes tight ends more important than ever, both in sealing the edge and providing additional pass-catching options off play action.

🔮 The Bigger Picture

Landing Elijah Brown would be a savvy pickup for Kentucky. The Wildcats are not just looking to fill a depth chart; they’re aiming to future-proof the position with versatile, veteran talent that can help elevate the entire offense. Brown represents a player who’s been tested, has adapted across multiple systems, and still has the tools and time to develop further.

If this visit goes well, Kentucky may finally secure a player they’ve long coveted—just a few years later than originally expected.

Would you like a projected depth chart showing how Brown could fit into the tight end rotation?