Kentucky Offers, Set to Host NIU Transfer Daveren Rayner

The former Husky has 128 career tackles across three seasons.

The April transfer portal window is officially closed, but there's still time for teams to add players as the 2023 regular season inches closer. 

Kentucky football made one big move, adding USC offensive tackle Courtland Ford. It also lost a couple of pieces, notably in the trenches, as defensive lineman Tomiwa Durojaiye and offensive linemen David Wohlabaugh Jr and Deondre Buford are the big departures following the spring. 

While depth on the lines are a concern, so is depth in the linebacker room. Defensive coordinator Brad White said during the spring that finding reliable depth behind 2023 starters Trevin Wallace and D'Eryk Jackson was a necessity, calling upon the backups to fill the holes. Kentucky is looking to replace a bulk of talent in the linebacker room, as veteran starters DeAndre Square, Jacquez Jones and Jordan Wright have all departed, looking to start careers in the NFL. 

The Wildcats have already swung and missed on one portal option, as Jackson State transfer Jurriente Davis opted for Texas A&M after taking official visits to both Lexington and College Station. Another potential option appeared on Monday, however. 

Kentucky has extended an offer to former Northern Illinois LB Daveren Rayner, who officially entered the portal on April 27:

Kentucky offered! pic.twitter.com/hExgCt9a1L

— Daveren 🦧 (@d9veren) May 2, 2023

Rayner has announced a bevy of offers from the likes of Georgia Tech, Oklahoma State, Florida State, Ole Miss, Texas Tech, UCF, Cincinnati and now UK. The Indianapolis native played three seasons for the Huskies, totaling 128 tackles, 71 of which came in 2022. He also has 5.5 sacks to his name. 

Josh Edwards of 247Sports has since reported that Rayner will be taking an official visit to Lexington on the weekend of May 11. UK has already plucked one player from the portal out of DeKalb, as offensive tackle Marques Cox made the jump following the 2022 season and is expected to be the Cats' starting left tackle this fall. 

You can never have enough linebacker depth, as seen by how ravaged the room was for UK by the end of 2022. Rayner is a name to watch. 

Observations from Kentucky's final open spring practice HERE.

Safety Zion Childress is emerging as a leader on the UK defense

Kentucky landed a 4-star defensive lineman on National Signing Day. More HERE.

WATCH: Kentucky football's transfer portal signees speak to the media

Devin Leary discusses his decision to transfer to Kentucky HERE.

Ray Davis isn't following former Kentucky RB's footsteps. More HERE.

Want the latest on national football and basketball recruiting, including Cats targets? Head over to SI All-American for the latest news, blogs, and updates about the nation's best prospects.

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