Hardley Gilmore IV returning to Kentucky for 2026 season, per report
By Mark Kern
Published:
Hardley Gilmore is back.
The Kentucky WR made headlines in the offseason when he announced he was transferring to Baylor, but it is now being reported that he will be back in Lexington this season. This isn’t the first time that Gilmore has transferred and then come back to Kentucky, either. After his freshman campaign, he announced that he was transferring to Nebraska but ultimately was back at Kentucky for the 2025 season.
Gilmore is coming off a sophomore season where he finished with 28 catches, 313 yards and one touchdown. His best game of the season was late in the year against Vanderbilt, when he finished with six catches for 55 yards.
He’s likely to be a key contributor for first-year coach Will Stein, who comes over from Oregon to take over for Mark Stoops. The Wildcats will also have a new quarterback running the show, as Kenny Minchey transferred from Notre Dame to be the guy in Lexington.
Kentucky basketball will be in action against Texas A&M in a game that could give a significant boost to its NCAA Tournament resume. However, the Wildcats have only a 45% chance to win the game.
