It’s offense day at the Kentucky football facility. After adding wide receiver JJ Hester and quarterback Zach Calzada, Illinois transfer tight end Henry Boyer announced his commitment to Kentucky. Boyer is a massive tight end at 6’6, 270 pounds, and he fits a big hole in the Cats’ offense. Vince Marrow got another good one as the staff tries to get back to the hard-nose football they had success with.
Player Background
Boyer was a three-star prospect from Brother Rice in the suburbs of Chicago. According to On3 and 247, Illinois and Kent State were Boyer’s only offers out of high school, and the Fighting Illini kept the talent in state. After redshirting the 2022 season, Boyer made three receptions for twenty yards in two years of playing time in Champaign. Before you freak out, remember he is 270 pounds. His high school scouting report on 247 says Henry played defensive line in high school, and he could get moved to offensive tackle in college. Boyer is an exceptional run blocker who moves defensive ends and linebackers with ease due to his strength and physicality.
Program Fit
Boyer fits a big hole for Kentucky with his experience as an in-line tight end. He played 70.6% of his snaps attached to the line and was used as a run blocker 74.8% of the time he was on the field. The Cats are setting the expectation of being physical in the run game with the additions of Braun, Wollschlaeger, Unamba, and now Boyer. Every addition, plus running back targets Ahmad Hardy and Dante Dowdell, should tell BBN Kentucky is getting back to the physicality and toughness that made Stoops great. Boyer was also a part of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee this past season, a group of (obviously) student-athletes that represent the voice of the players. This is the group sending letters and working with Congress to create legislature to help the future of college sports, and I believe only one player for every team can be selected. A pure run blocker with experience leading not only his team, but every athlete in the NCAA, is the type of person Kentucky’s culture change needs.
Position Outlook
The tight ends had some elbow room this offseason with the departures of Jordan Dingle, Khamari Anderson, and Tanner Lemaster. Willie Rodriguez and Mikkel Skinner are exceptional receiving options, but neither player is effective as a run blocker. Josh Kattus has been a consistent player for three years, but tight end is a position that gets banged up throughout the season. Having someone like Boyer who could be a reliable option if things get thin but will always have a role in short yardage situations, gives the Cats another piece they can trust to make hustle plays in big moments. With how often Hamdan runs multiple tight end sets, I would imagine the tight end room is at least one, and potentially two bodies away from being completed. For now, the offense stays hot on the recruiting trail (they’re not done).
