Hardley Gilmore (17) still believes he can be a productive receiver for Kentucky despite his struggles last season. (Vicky Graff Photo)
When 16-year-old Florida senior Hardley Gilmore verbally committed to play football at Kentucky he made a bold proclamation.
“I think I can be the greatest wide receiver to play the game,” the four-star receiver who was ranked among the nation’s top 300 players, said. “I am a sponge. I soak up everything I can to try and get better.”
He was convinced then offensive coordinator Liam Coen could fully develop his game but Coen left before Gilmore arrived for the 2024 season. If that wasn’t enough, Gilmore was hurt in UK’s first preseason scrimmage after having an impressive spring practice. Gilmore missed UK’s first five games but had six catches for 153 yards and one touchdown in the final seven games. He earned his first start of his college career against Murray State.
Gilmore, who did not turn 18 until early December, had some off-field issues and transferred to Nebraska. However, he opted to come back to UK for his sophomore season.
Gilmore has no regrets about what he said when he committed to UK.
“My mindset has never changed. From a football standpoint, I feel like I still could be the best in the nation on and off the field,” Gilmore said. “I still have the same mindset.”
Kentucky is looking for a big-play receiver to help rejuvenate an offense that struggled to score last year.
“My expectation is just as a team overall. Just be better, be better by day by day, and just build a bond,” Gilmore said. “I can say we got a good bond this year that we didn’t have last year. I just feel like it’s on the right track this year. It’s not just about me. It’s about the team. I just want us to win.”
Kentucky is not projected to win a lot of Southeastern Conference games coming up off a 4-8 season that included a 1-7 SEC mark.
“There’s no way we shouldn’t win. We have got a good team,” Gilmore said. “Coach (Dean) Hood has had us do a lot of bonding activities. We actually know each other on a personal level. We have trust in each other and you have to have that team trust if you want to win games.”
6 Responses
He should be a true Freshman this season. To even play in 7 games as a true Freshman is a accomplishment. He did it playing at 17 for the entire season. Hardley is going to be one of the best receivers in college football his junior and senior year. I still think he has a big year this year. At least 30 receptions or so. Maybe more. He might be the best athlete on the offense. I also agree with him on the chemistry of last year's team. You had Dane Key and Barion Brown thinking it was there last year in college football. Before the season started they acted like they were already draft picks. Key was the better receiver Brown was the better return man but neither one of them were ready for the NFL. The only job Brown will have in the NFL is for kickoffs. He couldnt return punts at Kentucky because he has terrible hands and often drops wide open passes. I forgot his numbers but I think he had over 25 drops in 3 years. That's a average of about 8 a year. Which equals about 2 every 3 games. He will be a second or third string receiver for LSU. They are loaded at receiver. Brown should have went out west or up north and played where he could really use his speed to separate himself from the defense. Even when a cornerback touched him with a finger he would go down instantly. I would love to play Nebraska in a bowl game this year. Key and Shorts vs Dowdell and Gilmore. I would take Dowdell and Gilmore over Shorts and Key any day of the week. We won the swap out.
He's a very likeable kid. I see why Stoops let him come back. Stoops also had one foot in the door and one foot out when the Texas A&M job opened up. His camp called Texas A&M first and he still didn't get the gig. He would have been crucified by the Texas A&M fans. 6-6 and 7-5 is bad seasons there. He would have found similar success to what he has at Kentucky and been ran out of Texas after 2-3 years.
Very likeable indeed Terry
He has the attitude needed to be successful and to inspire his teammates. He was razor sharp to recognize that Corn could elevate his game to the top. Coen went to Tampa Bay & unleashed a powerful high scoring offense leading to becoming the new HC At Jacksonville. Coen was the ticket I get UK into the upper echelon in the SEC. The reigns by the HC once again put an end to having a successful offense. I do believe that Coen made a deal with Stoops that he would be allowed to run the offense without any HC interference but the HC did not hold up his end of the bargain. Coen would have been a threat to become the next HC and that surely was reason to want him to leave!
UK has some very forward thinking players and needs to let them lead with their desire & vision. Turn this team over to those with a vision of major success. It can be catching & run off on the players who have lost confidence due to the utter failure at 4-8.
He has the attitude needed to be successful and to inspire his teammates. He was razor sharp to recognize that Corn could elevate his game to the top. Coen went to Tampa Bay & unleashed a powerful high scoring offense leading to becoming the new HC At Jacksonville. Coen was the ticket I get UK into the upper echelon in the SEC. The reigns by the HC once again put an end to having a successful offense. I do believe that Coen made a deal with Stoops that he would be allowed to run the offense without any HC interference but the HC did not hold up his end of the bargain. Coen would have been a threat to become the next HC and that surely was reason to want him to leave!
UK has some very forward thinking players and needs to let them lead with their desire & vision. Turn this team over to those with a vision of major success. It can be catching & run off on the players who have lost confidence due to the utter failure at 4-8.
6 receptions for 150 yards!!!! 25 per catch!!!
He should have been thrown the ball 8 times per game instead of less than 1/game!
Hardley Gilmore seemingly has all the tools to be a great WR at Kentucky. He has straight line speed as well as quickness and good hands. I look for a real breakout year for him, as he and the other WR's look to rack up yards and TD's.
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