Gator Country provides you with five Kentucky Wildcats to watch vs Florida in week eight.
WR Barion Brown #7
While Kentucky’s passing game ranks 121st in the country, they have multiple talented receivers including junior Barion Brown. The 6’1, 181-pound receiver combined for 1,167 yards and eight receiving touchdowns through his first two seasons with the Wildcats. Through six games in 2024, Brown has hauled in 20 receptions for 214 yards and two touchdowns. He’s also added seven carries for 36 yards and a score on the ground.
Brown isn’t just a dynamic receiver, he’s also one of the best return men in the country, logging four kickoff return touchdowns in his college career including three in 2023.
“Barion Brown, he can keep you up at night,” Billy Napier said on Brown. “He’s definitely one of the more explosive players. Love his game, love how he plays. He’s a polished receiver and a dynamic returner. I think the guy’s had five kickoff returns for a touchdown in the SEC and certainly all the gadget touch screen, reverse and then the vertical shots. This guy is one of the best vertical players in the country and then it’s a big part of the game.”
Kentucky will look to get the ball in Brown’s hands to utilize his elite speed, which frequently happens behind the line of scrimmage on screens or reverses. 11 of Brown’s 20 receptions this season are behind the LOS.
DL Deone Walker #0
You can’t miss defensive tackle Deone Walker on the football field as he stands at 6’6, 345 pounds. Walker is quick for his size which helps with his explosiveness off the LOS. In 2023, Walker totaled 7.5 sacks and 51 pressures, which put him on the map as a potential early round selection in the 2025 NFL mock draft. Walker leads Kentucky with 13 pressures through six games in 2024. The rare blend of size, speed, and strength make Walker a problem against the run and pass.
Edge J.J. Weaver #13
6th year senior edge rusher J.J Weaver has been a productive player for a long time despite battling injuries throughout his career. The 6’5, 255-pound Kentucky native has 35 career starts including 24 straight. The 2024 season could be his best yet as he leads Kentucky with four sacks and ranks T-32nd in the nation. Weaver is a versatile defender that can drop into coverage or play inside linebacker if needed.
WR Dane Key #6
The other notable receiver in Kentucky’s offense is junior Dane Key, who Gator fans might remember as the guy who hauled in a 55-yard TD pass in 2022 with Jalen Kimber draped all over him. Key led Kentucky’s offense in receiving yards a year ago and is on pace to do it again in 2024, totaling 31 receptions for 452 yards and two touchdowns through six games. Key is a bigger and more physical receiver that can threaten opposing defenses deeper down the field and excels in contested catch scenarios. Key isn’t a guy Florida will need to worry about running after the catch, but the Wildcats will turn to the 6’3, 210-pound receiver when they need a first down.
QB Gavin Wimsatt #2
Kentucky will likely utilize a two-quarterback system vs Florida. Georgia transfer Brock Vandagriff is the starter, will play the majority of snaps, and will handle most of the passing downs. However, the Wildcats will turn to Rutgers transfer Gavin Wimsatt in an effort to help their rushing attack. In four games played, Wimsatt has rushed 29 times for 120 yards and a touchdown. He’s completed 5-10 passes for 59 yards and an interception.
The physical runner stands at 6’3, 227 pounds and recorded 11 rushing touchdowns with Rutgers a year ago.
“It is an absolutely critical factor in the game,” Napier said on Kentucky’s use of Wimsatt. “I think two quarterbacks, they run both but, obviously, the second player there that comes in is a big, physical athlete. He’s 225 pounds, obviously at Rutgers was a very effective runner there. Almost as if you’re in a wildcat formation when he’s in the game and they do some really unique things there to add an extra box. You’re short a defender. It’s definitely a huge part of the game for sure.”