Kentucky Football has zeroed in on Arizona State transfer Sam Leavitt as its top quarterback target, but adding just one passer was never the plan, and there have to be backup options if Leavitt falls through.
As head coach Will Stein and offensive coordinator Joe Sloan reshape the Wildcats’ offense, Auburn transfer Ashton Daniels has emerged as a key secondary quarterback option, according to Pete Nakos, and his profile fits what Kentucky is trying to build.
Daniels, who has locked in a visit to Kentucky
along with Baylor and Florida State, brings extensive game experience across multiple Power Five programs. A former three-star recruit from Buford, Georgia, Daniels spent three seasons at Stanford before transferring to Auburn. At Stanford, he made 10 starts in 2023, throwing for 2,247 yards and accounting for 14 total touchdowns while adding 434 non-sack rushing yards. His ability to extend plays with his legs and operate in read-option concepts stands out.
As a junior in 2024, Daniels again showed growth as a dual-threat, completing 62.7 percent of his passes for 1,700 yards while rushing for more than 800 yards in 10 starts. Though he preserved his redshirt at Auburn, Daniels still started three SEC games in November, finishing the season with 797 passing yards and 334 rushing yards.
In total, he has produced 35 career touchdowns and logged more than 1,500 offensive snaps, which is valuable experience for a Kentucky roster in transition.
While quarterback is the headline, Texas wide receiver DeAndre Moore Jr. has quickly become one of Kentucky’s most intriguing portal targets. Moore was a former top-150 recruit and visited UK this weekend, according to Matt Jones of KSR.
Moore played in 35 games at Texas while catching 77 passes for 988 yards and 11 touchdowns.
With Leavitt, Daniels, and Moore all firmly on Kentucky’s radar, the Wildcats are attacking portal season with urgency and prioritizing experience, versatility, and proven production as they rebuild the offense from the ground up.
