Will Stein raves about additions of transfer RBs CJ Baxter, Jovantae Barnes
By David Wasson
Published:
It is no secret that new Kentucky coach Will Stein is confident in his own ability to deliver victories to Big Blue Nation – having proclaimed just that Monday on Day 1 of SEC Media Days in Tampa.
Aside from that self-confidence, Stein is also very high on Kentucky’s additions of running backs CJ Baxter and Jovantae Barnes via the transfer portal.
Baxter transferred to Kentucky after three seasons at Texas – campaigns that included injuries which caused him to redshirt the 2024 season and miss almost all of the 2025 season.
“I’m very impressed with CJ, just from a mentality standpoint, what he’s brought to our offense, a veteran leadership, a guy that’s played at a really high level,” Stein said to reporters Monday. “Obviously dealt with some injuries. … Running back is a core position on our team. The best teams I’ve been on have been able to run the football. So excited about him, what he brings not only on the field but off the field.”
Barnes chose Lexington as his portal destination after four seasons at Oklahoma, where he started 10 games in that time but also missed time due to injury in 2023.
“Bo has crazy talent,” Stein said. “He has the height, weight, speed for the position. It’s a matter of building him up, giving him belief he can go out there and play at a high level. … Both have done a tremendous job so far, looking forward to see what they do for us this fall.”
An APSE national award-winning writer and editor, David Wasson has almost four decades of experience in the print journalism business in Florida and Alabama. His work has also appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, the Los Angeles Times and several national magazines and websites. His Twitter handle: @JustDWasson.
