Humbled Hardley Gilmore Appreciative of 2nd Chance at UK

Hardley Gilmore (17) has no regrets about starting college at such an early age. (Vicky Graff Photo)

L’Damian Washington was not at Kentucky for the 2024 season when the Wildcats went 4-8 and freshman receiver Hardly Gilmore played in the season’s final seven games and had six catches for 153 yards and one score.

Gilmore, though, had some off field issues that led him to transfer to Nebraska after the season ended. However, for unspecified reasons, he left Nebraska and now he’s back at UK ready for the season opener Saturday against Toledo.

Gilmore, a four-star recruit of Florida, was only 16 when he committed to Kentucky and only 17 — the age of most high school juniors — when he arrived on campus. He’s still only 18 going into his second collegiate season.

“Sometimes you only know about your environment until you transition to another environment and you meet people like yourself,” Washington said. “When I was 17 or 18 and making that transition, people invested in me and made me see the world completely differently than I saw the world and bubble that I grew up with. Now as a college coach you are trying to help kids make decisions that will impact their next 40 years. So I am glad to be here to help guide him.”

Gilmore admits the last nine months have “taught” him a lot.

“I was frustrated and it humbled me. I’m just very happy and very blessed that the Wildcats have me back here and I’m blessed to be back here in Kroger Field to play football. I feel it’s a blessing and you don’t get too many chances,” Gilmore said. “I know I have to take advantage of every opportunity I get and not take anything for granted.”

Gilmore said it was a “mutual decision” with Kentucky for him to return to Lexington.

“Once I hit the (transfer) portal every school hit me up. I came here when I was 16 and I feel like this is my family. It was not like football or school and coach Stoops is not like a regular coach. I see him as a figure that helped me through life,” Gilmore said.

“I don’t have regrets at all coming here early (at age 16). I feel like that’s what I needed. Where I’m from, you grow up fast. I have the right people around me.  I’ve been here with some great people that have helped me in so many ways on and off the field.”

Gilmore, who chose UK over Penn State and nearby Central Florida, said it was not hard for him to admit he was wrong and caused his own problems at Kentucky that led to his transfer to Nebraska.

“You got to be accountable for what you do where I’m from. Growing up as a man, you got to be accountable as a man,” Gilmore said.

The 6-foot-1, 180-pound sophomore receiver is a terrific athlete. He had 52 catches for 879 yards and 15 touchdowns along with 13 tackles, eight pass breakups and two interceptions during the 2023 season for Pahokee (Fla.) High School. He also finished third in the long jump and sixth in the 800-meter run at the 2022 Florida state track meet.

Quarterback Zach Calzada targeted him six times against Toledo in the season opener but his two catches resulted in a net loss of five yards.

“I’ve seen and learned a lot the last year,” Gilmore said. “Now anything I hear, I am trying to soak it up like a sponge. I know now that I don’t know everything. I’m 18. I still have plenty to learn. One thing I have definitely learned is that ain’t nobody always gonna have your back and always believe in your. Don’t listen to what anybody else says. Believe in yourself and make sure you do the right things no matter what anyone else tells you.”