Could Kentucky strike gold in transfer portal with another receiver named Robinson?

Tayvion Robinson had 113 catches and nine touchdowns at Virginia Tech. (Twitter Photo)

Could Kentucky strike gold at receiver in the transfer portal for a second straight season? Last year, Kentuckian Wan’Dale Robinson left Nebraska and returned home to play for the Wildcats. He led Kentucky in receiving and was one of the Southeastern Conference’s best receivers.

Now the Cats have signed Virginia Tech transfer Tayvion Robinson, who had 113 receptions for 1,555 yards and nine touchdowns in three years with the Hokies. He had 44 catches for 559 yards and five scores in 2021.

Like Wan’Dale Robinson, the Virginia Tech transfer has the speed to get deep but also can withstand physical play to be a productive SEC receiver.

“Tayvion, again, a proven player that we needed that experience at that position to come in and help us. Terrific player,” Kentucky coach Mark Stoops said.

Tayvion Robinson was the nation’s 19th-ranked athlete coming out of Cox High School in Virginia Beach. He was rated the sixth best receiver in the transfer portal according to 247Sports.

Stoops cautioned at Thursday’s signing day press conference not to expect Tayvion Robinson to do what Wan’Dale Robinson did.

It’s hard to say exactly what that impact may be, but Tayvion is an extremely good football player, explosive, can run, was one of the top punt returners in the country, as well, so we need that,” Stoops said.

“We need to fill that void with Josh (Ali) and possibly Wan’Dale leaving. He’s a very good player, and we’re excited to add him.”

Ali, UK’s second leading receiver in 2021, is out of eligibility. Wan’Dale Robinson could leave for the NFL. The two accounted for about 60 percent of UK’s receptions, 65 percent of the receiving yards and 40 percent of the touchdowns last season.