Offensive tackle Lance Heard spent two seasons with Tennessee after transferring in from LSU before the 2024 football season. Heard was a day one starter at left tackle for the Volunteers, and anchored offensive lines for both Joey Aguilar and Nico Iamaleava.
After the 2025 season, Heard entered the transfer portal on January 1. He then committed to the Kentucky Wildcats nine days later, joining the program that is now coached by former Oregon OC Will Stein.
With Kentucky’s spring training camp underway in Lexington, Heard spoke to the media during an interview on Thursday. Heard talked about why he chose the Wildcats out of the portal, his new coaches, what he brings to the football field, and more.
One thing Heard wasn’t keen to discuss was his time at Tennessee.
Early in the press conference, Heard was asked about his perception of Kentucky during his time in Knoxville.
“I don’t know, I just know they always had really good o-linemen,” Heard said, via a recording from Jeff Drummond on YouTube. “I did know that part.”
A few minutes later, Heard was again asked about his time in Knoxville. This question revolved around the pace of practice at Tennessee compared to Kentucky.
“It was different, man,” Heard said. “I don’t really want to talk about Tennessee. That’s the second Tennessee question. I don’t want to talk about Tennessee.”
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Heard was part of a 29-man transfer class for the Wildcats this offseason. He was one of Kentucky’s notable transfer signings, alongside players like Baylor offensive lineman Coleton Price, LSU wide receiver Nic Anderson, and Notre Dame quarterback Kenny Minchey.
Kentucky also signed former Tennessee offensive lineman Max Anderson out of the portal this offseason.
The Wildcats’ portal moves helped solidify Will Stein’s first roster in Lexington. Stein was hired as Kentucky’s next head coach on Dec. 1, just a short time after UK fired longtime coach Mark Stoops. Stein previously served as the offensive coordinator at Oregon under head coach Dan Lanning. This will be Stein’s first-ever head coaching gig.
Lance Heard and the Kentucky Wildcats will head to Knoxville in November for this season’s rivalry matchup. The Vols and Wildcats will clash on Nov. 7 in Neyland Stadium, with Tennessee coming off an open date in the week before.
