While the Kentucky football wide receiver room has names BBN will be extremely familiar with from Barion Brown and Dane Key to Anthony Brown-Stephens, one new face has also been making a name for himself after a few days in pads.

“Honestly, when I first got here, I had a little chip on my shoulder,” wide receiver Fred Farrier II said to the media after practice. “I feel like people didn’t really know I came here and stuff like that.” 

Through just a few practices so far this pre-season, Farrier is a name that has stood out amongst coaches and teammates alike. 

“Fred’s that dude, man!” UK tight ends coach Vince Marrow said as he walked by Farrier’s media pod.

Farrier is a Kentucky native who was a three-star recruit coming out of Franklin County High School and has been making a splash in the wide receiver room despite flying under the radar with fans.  

The 6-foot, one-inch 185-pound receiver transferred from UAB, where he recorded 29 catches for 389 yards and two touchdowns before deciding it was time to return to his home state.

“His situation may not be exactly what he wants it to be right now, but he’s working like he’s the number one guy,” offensive coordinator Bush Hamdan said.  

Farrier works just as hard off the field as he does on, watching film away from the facility, spending extra time with his quarterbacks and taking care of his body, all for the chance to shine when his opportunity comes.  

Taking nuggets of knowledge from the experienced wide receivers already, Kentucky already has benefitted Farrier as well.  

“I could take something from everybody,” Farrier said. “I could take the speed release from Barion, I can take Dane’s aggressiveness, Jamori (Maclin)’s elusiveness. I take a little bit from everybody and just try to add a little something to my bag every day.” 

A true student of the game, studying the play of some of the all-time greats is one of Farrier’s favorite ways to develop his own game as well.

His two favorites to study come from a familiar foe in LSU: Justin Jefferson and Ja’Marr Chase.  

“I like Ja’Marr Chase, just how aggressive he is, and how he kind of allows the defender to get their hands off him and just how strong he is at the catch point,” Farrier said about studying the players.

Between the work ethic, desire to learn and explosive plays shown to the coaching staff so far, it’s clear Farrier has something special that may make him a true player to watch this season.

Kentucky football will kick off its 2024 season on Saturday, August 31, from Kroger Field against the Southern Miss Golden Eagles. That game is set to begin at 7:45 p.m. ET and will air live on the SEC Network.