Kentucky’s momentum across multiple sports carried seamlessly into the transfer portal over the weekend, as the Wildcats continued to strengthen key positions with an eye toward long term growth and stability. With excitement building in Lexington following a strong showing on the basketball court, the football program capitalized on the positive energy by adding another important piece to its evolving roster. Head coach Will Stein wasted little time making his presence felt, focusing on bolstering offensive depth and competition as the Wildcats shape their plans for the 2026 season and beyond.
On Sunday, Stein secured a commitment from former Marshall quarterback JacQai Long, who announced his decision publicly on social media. Long, a native of West Virginia, heads to Kentucky with three years of eligibility remaining and becomes the Wildcats’ second quarterback addition of the current transfer cycle. He joins former Notre Dame signal caller Kenny Minchey, further reshaping the quarterback room with youth and developmental upside.
Long stands at 6 foot 2 and weighs 205 pounds. He spent two seasons with the Thundering Herd, redshirting during the 2024 campaign before seeing limited action in 2025. This past season, he appeared in five games and finished with 31 passing yards, gaining valuable experience while learning within Marshall’s system. Although his on field production was modest, Kentucky views him as a quarterback with room to grow and the physical tools to compete at the Power Four level.
Coming out of high school, Long was rated as a three star prospect by the 247Sports Composite. He ranked 1,880th nationally, 103rd among quarterbacks, and sixth in West Virginia. His recruitment included scholarship offers from programs such as Appalachian State, Memphis, UMass, Toledo, Miami of Ohio, East Carolina, Arkansas State, and Kent State. At Kentucky, he is expected to compete for the backup role behind Minchey as the depth chart takes shape.
Stein’s productive weekend did not stop there. Along with adding Long, Kentucky also landed a major commitment from running back CJ Baxter, highlighting a clear emphasis on strengthening the offense. With multiple additions in place, Stein is steadily assembling a unit designed for balance, competition, and long term success as the Wildcats prepare for the next chapter of the program.