Kentucky football wrapped up its Fall camp last week and one of the biggest talking points of the whole camp was regarding the depth of the wide receiver room.
With Offensive Coordinator Bush Hamdan saying "six-eight" different receivers could see the field in meaningful ways, those words were proven genuine when the Wildcats released their first depth chart, which featured nine different wide receivers with three 'OR' designations across the three positions.
While Hamdan made it clear none of the nine have truly differentiated themselves as the No. 1 guy, there is still plenty of optimism regarding the overall talent of the group and what each guy brings to the table.
While names like Ja'Mori Maclin, Kendrick Law and Hardley Gilmore IV have each made headlines for their expectations and talent, one wide receiver that has been discussed a bit less is Clemson transfer Troy Stellato.
Stellato came to Kentucky from the Tigers, where he suited up for four seasons with 11 starts and 23 assignments, logging 65 catches for 600 yards and two touchdowns.
Coming into Lexington, Stellato is still confident in what he brings to the table despite being in such a competitive and deep room.
"I feel like I bring a lot of everything," Stellato said. "Over the middle, I'm probably gonna start out there in slot, making tough catches, running as fast as I can. I feel like I bring speed, I haven't really been able to show that at Clemson, but I know I can really run, sub 4.4 guy, so I feel like I'm gonna really show speed versatility. I pride myself on my toughness also, making tough catches over the middle, blocking, all the little things that help us win."
Stellato also expressed confidence in his relationship with quarterback Zach Calzada, who was officially named UK's starter on Monday, winning out over redshirt freshman Cutter Boley.
"Coming in the Spring was huge for us, just the connection we've all built with him (Calzada), it's been truly special," Stellato said. "We've looked like a high-powered offense all camp in my eyes. I was at a big time offense last year in Clemson and I really see a lot of similarities. I think Zach can have a hell of a year, man, I really do. We've all built a really strong connection with him. You need that as a group."
While Stellato expressed confidence in his game, where he truly lit up was when he was asked about comparisons to legendary New England Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman, who not only hopes to be inducted into the NFL Hall of Fame, but also made his legacy, which includes a Super Bowl MVP, with those tough catches over the middle that Stellato prides himself on.
Stellato, who is billed from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, grew up in Salem, Massachusetts, and expressed his deep passion and love for the Patriots as well as New England's other professional sports teams in Boston.
"I'm a huge Patriots fan, my family is from Boston, I was born in the Boston area, watching him (Edelman) growing up, he was my idol receiver," Stellato said. "That comparison, I really see it because I pride myself on toughness, doing what it takes to make the catch, getting smashed over the middle and coming up with it. That gets the crowd riled up and it's super fun to do that. Love Edelman, he's the best, he's one of the GOATs, especially at the slot position. It's a good comparison."
Stellato also cited names like former Patriots wide receiver Danny Amendola and Jordy Nelson, more famous for the Green Bay Packers, as other names he grew up watching and idolizing.
He also pushed back on the notion that Kentucky has yet to truly see a No. 1 guy emerge in the wide receiver room, saying that the issue is not a lack of ones, but rather having more than just one No. 1.
"I think we got a lot of No. 1s right now," Stellato said. "Every day there's a new guy, especially at camp, we've made a ton of plays down the field. Everyone's showed glimpses of that they can really be a No. 1. We're gonna have a solid group and then, obviously, where the cards fall, some guys may separate themselves later down the season, but just saying that, we're all super hungry to be that and showcase what we have."
"Shoot, I hope we have four No. 1s this year. I hope we have four-five guys for 800+ yards. I mean, I think we can do that. What we're going to do, throwing the ball as much as running the ball, I feel like we can have a really big year."
With the season opener now days away, Stellato expressed an eagerness to get back on the field and have the chance to back up his big words in front of thousands of the UK faithful. And as an added bonus? He won't have to run down a hill to start the season like he did at Clemson.
Kentucky will kick off its 2025 season on Saturday, Aug. 30, from Kroger Field against Toledo. The contest against the Rockets is scheduled for 12:45 p.m. ET and will air live on the SEC Network.