Baylor Lands Kentucky WR Hardley Gilmore IV as First 2026 Transfer Portal Receiver

Just four days after committing to Louisville out of the transfer portal, Kentucky rising junior wide receiver Hardley Gilmore IV has flipped his pledge and signed with Baylor, becoming the Bears’ first wide receiver addition of the 2026 transfer portal cycle.

This fall, the 6-foot-1, 165-pound Gilmore IV hauled in 28 receptions for 313 yards and a touchdown. He caught a career-high six passes in a blowout loss to No. 14 Vanderbilt.

As a true freshman, Gilmore IV saw action in the final seven games of the season, totaling six catches for 153 yards with one touchdown. He then elected to transfer to Nebraska in the offseason but was dismissed from the Cornhuskers’ program and returned to Lexington.

The Belle Grade, Florida, native was a consensus four-star prospect in the 2024 recruiting class and rated as one of the top 45 wide receivers in the nation. He chose Kentucky over Penn State and UCF.

He has two years of eligibility remaining.