Brenden Bates, Kentucky TE, announces decision on 2023 season
By Sydney Hunte
Published:
Brenden Bates just completed his 5th season with the Kentucky football team. The Cincinnati native was considered the No. 25 tight end in the country when he signed to play for Mark Stoops and the Wildcats program out of the class of 2018. However, he has been limited in his production due to a shoulder injury.
Having redshirted the 2018 season and with a bonus year of eligibility remaining, Bates has opted to return to Kentucky for 2023. He announced the news on his Twitter feed on Thursday.
“The game of football has been a part of my life for a long time and has blessed me with so many opportunities. Battling this shoulder injury caused me to miss precious games which never sat right with me. I have unfinished goals that I want to obtain for myself and this team,” he wrote.
Bates made 10 catches for 99 yards and a touchdown in 2022, following a year where he had 11 receptions for 70 yards and a score. As he opts to return to the program for 1 more season, he’ll look to finally put the pieces together.
#BBN #year6 #oldman pic.twitter.com/E78grJ9U5v
— Brenden Bates (@BatesBrenden) January 5, 2023
Sydney is an Atlanta-based journalist who has covered everything from SEC and ACC football to MLS, the U.S. men's national soccer team and professional tennis. His work has appeared on such platforms as SB Nation, Cox Media Group and FanSided.
