When he committed to Kentucky, Washington State transfer David Gusta was the No. 2 defensive lineman and the top available prospect at his position. It was a massive win for the Wildcats, earning his signature over Texas A&M and Tennessee to bring his 21 tackles, three TFL, one sack and three pass breakups in 2024 to […]
When he committed to Kentucky, Washington State transfer David Gusta was the No. 2 defensive lineman and the top available prospect at his position. It was a massive win for the Wildcats, earning his signature over Texas A&M and Tennessee to bring his 21 tackles, three TFL, one sack and three pass breakups in 2024 to Lexington for his final season of eligibility.
The hype hasn’t slowed down since he arrived on campus, Gusta doing enough in camp to enter the fall as one of the top 100 impact transfers in college football.
In a list put together by The Athletic’s Bruce Feldman, Sam Khan Jr. and Manny Navarro, using intel “from dozens of FBS coaches and staffers this summer to find out which players have impressed and are on track to become impact players,” the 6-3, 317-pound lineman came in at No. 82 overall.
82. DL David Gusta, Washington State to Kentucky
“You look at David Gusta. He’s a guy that’s 316-320 type guy but man he can move. He’s a guy that this offseason he did 225 (bench press) 38 times. He is physically what you want,” UK head coach Mark Stoops said to open fall camp. “And very twitchy. Very disruptive inside.”
“He’s really twitchy. He’s got a great get-off,” offensive guard Josh Braun added. “Me and Jager (Burton) talk about this all the time. He’s one of the few defensive linemen that we’ve gone up against that not only do you have to worry about his speed, but you have to worry about his power. Usually, you have one or the other, especially with interior defensive linemen. He walks the line between the two finely. I think he does a great job of using his God-given leverage to his advantage.”
Gusta is the only Kentucky addition on the list, but he’s not the only familiar face, with two other former Wildcats taking their talent elsewhere listed in the top 30.
13. WR Dane Key, Kentucky to Nebraska
Key brings good size (6-3, 210), production and a veteran presence to the Huskers passing attack. He has increased his catch and yardage totals each year and now rejoins his 2024 position coach, Daikiel Shorts, who also made the move from Lexington to Lincoln this offseason. Expect him to be a major target for sophomore QB Dylan Raiola.
30. WR Barion Brown, Kentucky to LSU
Brown’s pure speed will be an asset to the Tigers in multiple ways. He can stretch the defense on the outside, but he’s also a dynamite return specialist, having returned five kickoffs for touchdowns in three seasons at Kentucky and twice earning All-SEC honors as a returner or all-purpose player.
Among the others on the list that Kentucky will face this fall during the regular season:
7. WR Eric Singleton Jr., Georgia Tech to Auburn
24. WR Zachariah Branch, USC to Georgia
29. LB Elo Modozie, Army to Georgia
31. QB Jackson Arnold, Oklahoma to Auburn
39. 39. OL Xavier Chaplin, Virginia Tech to Auburn
40. TE Jack Endries, Cal to Texas
44. DB Raion Strader, Miami (Ohio) to Auburn
50. QB Miller Moss, USC to Louisville
57. RB Rahsul Faison, Utah State to South Carolina
60. DL Maraad Watson, Syracuse to Texas
62. OL Patrick Kutas, Arkansas to Ole Miss
71. Edge Princewill Umanmielen, Nebraska to Ole Miss
75. WR Emmett Mosley, Stanford to Texas
77. TE Luke Hasz, Arkansas to Ole Miss
85. WR De’Zhaun Stribling, Oklahoma State to Ole Miss
89. WR Noah Thomas, Texas A&M to Georgia
We’d argue Kendrick Law, Shiyazh Pete, Dante Dowdell and Braun should all be in the conversation, but at least they got Gusta where he belongs in the top 100.
Category: General Sports
