Kentucky has added a former Big Ten starter to its quarterback room.

Gavin Wimsatt has elected to return to his home state after three seasons in New Jersey. A former Owensboro (Kentucky) High School standout, Wimsatt played for Rutgers the past three seasons.

 

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Wimsatt at Rutgers

Wimsatt was a notable signing for Rutgers. Out of high school, Wimsatt was rated 4-stars, the No. 3 player in the state of Kentucky, No. 23 quarterback and No. 205 prospect overall in the Class of 2021 on the 247Sports Composite.

In his first season, Wimsatt played in just four games, allowing him to take a redshirt for the season, extending his eligibility through 2025.

As a redshirt freshman in 2022, Wimsatt made 8 appearances, including 6 starts at quarterback. Wimsatt was a 13-game starter as a redshirt sophomore for a Rutgers team that won a bowl game over Miami last season.

In 2023, Wimsatt was 138-of-289 passing (48% complete) for 1,735 yards, 9 touchdowns and 8 interceptions. He also ran 131 times for 497 yards and 11 touchdowns.

Wimsatt opted for the spring portal after Rutgers coach Greg Schiano dubbed Minnesota transfer Athan Kaliakmanis as the Scarlet Knights’ QB1 following spring practice.

How does Wimsatt fit in at Kentucky?

The Wildcats are replacing their whole quarterback room in 2024. Mark Stoops’ staff already brought in Brock Vandagriff, Cutter Boley and Beau Allen.

Vandagriff, a former 5-star prospect who transferred from Georgia, is the likely starter. Boley is a true freshman who was a 4-star recruit. Allen, who backed up Will Levis in 2021, is back at UK as a walk-on after spending time at Georgia Southern and FCS Tarleton State.

Having played in 25 games with 19 starts at QB in a Power conference, Wimsatt makes for a solid backup option if Vandagriff is ever unable to go for the Wildcats. Wimsatt may see a path to being Kentucky’s 2025 starter if Vandagriff opts for the NFL Draft. Wimsatt, though, will have to show he can improve upon that sub-50 completion percentage if he wants to be UK’s QB1.