Well-traveled former Nebraska wide receiver Hardley Gilmore is on the move yet again. This time, his exit from Lexington and the Kentucky Wildcats is not his decision. The troubled wideout was dismissed from new head coach Will Stein's program on Thursday, not long after the team started its first official fall camp practices.
His departure is just the latest chapter in what has been a rather wild college football career for Gilmore. It also hints that, unfortunately, the player is struggling with some issues that he'll hopefully get a handle on at some point. One thing is clear from his recent history: he feels a special connection to the UK, even if he keeps leaving. That may portend one more return if he can get his stuff straightened out.
Gilmore's saga began when he enrolled at Kentucky for the first time in 2023. He didn't play that first season, and in 2024 he tallied just 6 catches. However, he also showed flashes of talent that made him an attractive wide receiver, turning those receptions into 153 yards (25.5 YPC) and a touchdown. That offseason, he transferred to Nebraska, though his stay in Lincoln was quite short.
Not long after signing with the Huskers, reports of some legal troubles followed Gilmore out of Lexington, perhaps signaling rough waters ahead. By the beginning of April, the wide receiver was no longer with the Huskers, and Gilmore headed back to Lexington.
Former Nebraska football receiver Hardley Gilmore dismissed from Kentucky
The 2025 campaign was the best of Gilmore's short career. He hauled in 28 passes for 313 yards and a touchdown. Perhaps believing in greener pastures elsewhere he entered the transfer portal again. He initially decided to stay in the Blue Grass state, committing to Louisville. However, just four days later he decommitted from the Cardinals and instead picked the Baylor Bears.
The saga didn't end there. Two months later, without signing anything with the Big 12 team he decided to once again commit to Kentucky, marking the third time in his career he'd given his pledge with the Wildcats.
As he did with Nebraska a few years back, he went through spring practices and then things apparently started to go south. While Stein hasn't given a reason for Hardley Gilmore's latest exit from the program, he is now no longer with Kentucky yet again. Just where this story goes next will certainly be an interesting one to watch.
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