A former four-star recruit, Braylon Heard transferred to Kentucky prior to the 2013 season to play for fellow Youngstown, Ohio native Mark Stoops. Heard averaged 6.7 yards per carry in 12 games as a sophomore at Nebraska. After sitting out his transfer season in 2013, Heard emerged from preseason camp as the starter at running back for Kentucky in 2014. In his UK debut, he totaled 116 yards and two touchdowns on two carries before leaving the season-opener with an ankle injury. Heard spent most of the 2014 season as Kentucky's starter in a four-man running back rotation, finishing the season with 72 carries for 366 yards.
