Kentucky is in the mix for one of the best defensive players available in the transfer portal and the Cats got a real shot to land a big recruiting win.
Mi’Quise Grace is a 6-foot-4, 255-pound defensive end who starred for South Dakota. In 2024, the redshirt sophomore had 64 tackles, 18.5 TFLs, 9.5 sacks, 3 PBUs, 2 forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries, returning one for a touchdown. He was tied for 16th in the FCS in sacks and tenth in TFLs.
Grace was a First-Team All-American and was named Missouri Valley Defensive Player of the Year. Not too shabby. South Dakota went 11-3 and made it to the semifinals of the FCS playoffs.
Kentucky has added one player to the defensive line already from the transfer portal. Wyoming’s Jaden Williams can provide some pass-rush pop from the interior. Grace is built to play defensive end in Kentucky’s 3-4 scheme and Kentucky might have an inside track on his recruitment.
Originally from Cincinnati, Vince Marrow has a prior relationship from his time at Princeton High School, the same school as Kentucky defensive lineman Darrion Henry-Young.
With his impressive resume, Grace is expected to have a lengthy list of suitors during this second wave of the transfer portal cycle. 247 Sports’ Steve Robertson reports that Grace is expected to visit Mississippi State once the dead period ends. Kentucky, Clemson, and Texas A&M are also on track to host the talented South Dakota defensive end.
The Cats have signed five defensive players from the transfer portal so far. Grace could become the most talented offseason addition to the defense.
