In a noteworthy pickup from the NCAA Transfer Portal, Kentucky has landed wide receiver Ashton Cozart, formerly of Oregon and SMU. The move, first reported by On3’s Pete Nakos, marks another step in the Wildcats’ aggressive approach to revamping their receiving corps this offseason.
Ashton Cozart Transfers to Kentucky After Quiet SMU Stretch
Cozart, a native of Flower Mound, Texas, arrived on the college football scene with significant expectations. A standout at Marcus High School, he was a four-star recruit in the 2023 cycle and ranked No. 215 overall in the nation.
He was rated the No. 30 wide receiver nationally and a top-40 prospect out of Texas, boasting elite athleticism with a 10.74-second 100-meter dash and a 10-foot-8-inch broad jump. Cozart originally chose Oregon over powerhouse programs like Alabama, Oklahoma, Texas, and Michigan.
His collegiate journey has been anything but conventional. Cozart redshirted during his lone season at Oregon in 2023 before transferring to SMU. At SMU, he saw limited action, appearing in just four games during the 2024 season and recording a single catch for 24 yards in the Mustangs’ home opener.
Despite the quiet campaign, Cozart’s talent remains evident, and he was still rated in the Top 350 wide receivers in the 2025 transfer cycle according to On3’s Industry Rankings.
This marks Cozart’s second transfer in as many offseasons, but it may also be the one that finally allows him to break through. Kentucky, having missed out on him during his initial recruitment, now brings him in as the fifth wide receiver added through the transfer portal this year. The move is part of head coach Mark Stoops’ larger strategy to strengthen the Wildcats’ offensive weapons ahead of the 2025 season.
Cozart’s potential fit in Lexington is intriguing. Known for his speed and explosiveness, he could find early opportunities in a revamped offense that’s looking for difference-makers on the outside. Kentucky struggled with consistency in its receiving game last year and is clearly making a concerted effort to bring in young, athletic talent with high ceilings.
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While Cozart’s college production has been minimal so far, Kentucky is betting on his pedigree and athleticism to translate in a more favorable system. With two years of eligibility remaining, Cozart has the opportunity to reset his career in the SEC and potentially emerge as a go-to target in Kentucky’s offense.
As the Wildcats continue to reload for the fall, Cozart’s arrival adds another layer of intrigue to their evolving roster. If he can tap into the potential that made him a top-250 national recruit, Kentucky may have just landed a future star.
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