Kentucky Dismisses Wide Receiver Hardley Gilmore IV

The move removes an expected top target at the start of fall camp, creating immediate depth concerns for coach Will Stein's pass-focused offense.

Overview

Kentucky confirmed late Thursday that Hardley Gilmore IV was dismissed from the football program for a violation of team rules, and the university has not publicly detailed the specific offense.
Gilmore was not listed on the practice roster handed out to media on the first day of fall camp, signaling he will not take part in early team activities.
His college career has been unstable, with multiple transfer-portal moves that included a brief stint at Nebraska and flip commitments to Louisville and Baylor before returning to Kentucky.
Gilmore totaled 28 receptions for 313 yards and one touchdown in the 2025 season with Kentucky and finished his two seasons with the program with 34 catches for 466 yards and two touchdowns, numbers that had positioned him as a potential key target.
Kentucky will look to returning players such as DJ Miller plus Nic Anderson, Shane Carr, and Kenny Darby to fill the void, and the dismissal could prompt shifts in early-season game plans or further roster moves if depth proves short.