WKU Football Archives - US Sports News

TRANSFER PORTAL: Kentucky Kicker Commits To WKU

This week, University of Kentucky redshirt sophomore Jackson Smith announced his commitment to the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers from the transfer portal. Smith spent the previous two seasons with the Wildcats where he never saw game action, but was twice named to the SEC academic honor roll.

Extremely excited to continue my academic and athletic career at WKU! Go Tops! pic.twitter.com/RtOPUHeFzr
— jackson smith (@jacksonsmithh27) May 1, 2024

Smith was an extremely accomplished specialist in high school, winning National Specialist of the Year three years in a row (2019, 2020, 2021) from ProKicker.com. The same outlet named him as #1 kicker/punter in the 2022 recruiting class. Smith is also the son of former All-SEC punter Andy Smith, who also played at Kentucky.

Current WKU field goal kicker Lucas Carneiro, also a redshirt sophomore, was a CUSA honorable mention after going a perfect 47-for-47 on PATs in 2023. He was 9-12 on field goal attempts last season. The starting punter position will be different in 2023 after Tom Ellard's transfer to Division II's Northern State University.

WKU will open the 2024 season on August 31 at Alabama.

2 May 24 Jimm Sallivan

REPORT: WKU Starting CB Anthony Johnson Jr. Exiting Transfer Portal

On3's Pete Nakos reported on Thursday that Western Kentucky Hilltoppers' defensive back Anthony Johnson Jr. had withdrawn from the transfer portal. He originally entered the portal on April 16.

Western Kentucky cornerback Anthony Johnson has withdrawn from the transfer portal, @On3sports has learned.
An On3 College four-star, he recorded 44 tackles and 4 interceptions this past season.https://t.co/VNvB2Ek6qR pic.twitter.com/5sHV5GCkBg
— Pete Nakos (@PeteNakos_) May 2, 2024

Johnson was the Defensive MVP of WKU's win over Old Dominion in the Famous Toastery Bowl this past December. He had eight tackles and an interception in that game. Johnson was Pro Football Focus' fourth-highest graded cornerback in 2023 with a score of 90.3.

A Miami native, Johnson spent two seasons at Division II West Florida before joining the Hilltoppers prior to the 2023 season. At UWF, appeared in 21 games, recording 69 tackles, 15 pass break-ups, five interceptions, and two fumble recoveries. He was an All-CUSA Honorable Mention last season with 44 tackles with one TFL, four interceptions, a fumble recovery, and five pass breakups. He also blocked a kick in WKU's win over Louisiana Tech.

Johnson Jr. should have one season of eligibility remaining.