Where we are at as a program (very short)

[Levibooty]

This is not meant to be a rah-rah cheerleader post but to me it appears Kentucky's football program is on the edge of climbing the SEC ladder. I know it's hard to comprehend but we are still a young football team compared to other SEC programs.

The bulk of talent that Stoops has recruited to Kentucky is still in their 2nd and third year of college football. Our most experienced QB is a RS Sophomore and he lead our first strong recruiting class. We simply are in a position where our most talented players are transitioning to upperclassmen age and experience. We all know how teams like MSU, Mizzou, and even SC years ago relied on their seasoned upperclassmen to rise in the ranks of the SEC and that is how I see Kentucky.

That is encouraging for me but there is a even bigger sign I think will pay off in the next several years. I think Stoops has over the years greatly improved his coaching staff to train and lead this maturing bulk of talent. Hard to imagine when some of his assistants have been plucked away by the likes of Alabama!

It is that combination of talented players coming into their most productive years as college athletes being lead by proven coaches with track records of success on the field as well as the recruiting arenas that to me looks like a recipe for a solid football program on the rise.

I hope I am right and I hope our fans can add the third ingredient for this success and that is time. Hopefully we will kick in the first door this year and make it to a bowl.

 

[greginky1957]

I think we are going to move up the ladder at least one rung this year, by that I mean I hope we can at least pass Vandy. That loss last year really hurt us.

 

[JasonRDunn]

It is always a rough slog in the SEC. I do like the talent but want to see more coaching savvy and player development. I have very high hopes and I very, very much hope that you are right.

Go Big Blue!

 

[K_TIME]

Going into year 4:
1. Offensive talent is way improved and appears to be added experience to enjoy our best offensive outputs in a while. Adding Gran/Hinshaw feels like we are getting QB teacher we've never had. They should be a way better scheme tandem than what Shannon Dawson was giving UK last year.
- Boom, Juice, Conrad are way better than anything we've had at those spots in a long time
- I'm hoping the potential of Barker at QB is legit, Baker, Bone, JoJo, etc.. are guys that bring potential behind our headline guys that we've not had in a while.
2. OLine talent is finally looking to be turning a corner with Landon Young, Drake, Leavitt is hopefully going to be a strong LT for 2 years along with all the guards that will be Jr/Sr that have played a ton (Haynes, Meyers, etc..)
3. Defensive backfield is really awesome looking.
- Westry is legit for sure. Baity, Edwards, West, McWilson...strong looking group for sure.


The lone spot I'm not seeing Stoops improving the team is maybe the most important...DL. Outside of Elam, kids like Meant, Middleton, Miggins, Bell, etc...look just ike the same old UK kids.

 

[docholiday51]

It seems to me that we are at the point that we can and should see improvement on the field and in the W/L columns. If that doesn't happen then I think we have bigger hills to climb than we thought.There may not be improvement at every position but there should be improvement(in terms of ability and depth) at enough positions that a better on field product and a better record are more than a reasonable expectation.

 

[JPFisher]

The lone spot I'm not seeing Stoops improving the team is maybe the most important...DL. Outside of Elam, kids like Meant, Middleton, Miggins, Bell, etc...look just ike the same old UK kids.

I wouldn't sleep on the DL. We're not a juggernaut by any means, but Meant usurped the starting spot from CJ freaking Johnson last year before getting dinged up. Bell drew rave reviews from coaches for his work on the scout team as a DE last season, so that's something to look forward to as well.

I think our talent/experience definitely drops off after those three, but I wouldn't be surprised if they are even better than last season- even marginally.

 

[vhcat70]

A problem with the staff is that I think Neal Brown was just trying to help Stoops get started with UK but had no intention of staying to see it thru. That's fine, but Stoops seemed caught off guard when hiring Dawson. Now I think he's got guys committed to UK's success.

 

[PhattyJ4UK_rivals309166]

I expect to see major improvement this year in all aspects. We could still win 5 or 6 or 7 games, but I think we will at least compete in all games save maybe 1 or 2, and even in those we will at least look like we belong on the field.

I'm hoping that improvement leads to victories.

 

[ZenCatFan73]

I'm excited. I think it moved.

 

[CatDaddy4daWin]

We won 5 last year with a totally dysfunctional and inept offensive coaching staff. It wouldn't shock me to see Gran and Hinshaw end up being worth 2 or 3 extra wins a year. We had this staff last year we win 7 or 8 games.

I know alot of us were deeply disappointed in last year's results and Stoops rightfully took some heat. But he listened to feedback and his own gut, then went out and made some very impressive changes to the staff. He knew this team needed leadership, direction, and frankly, some hard asses on the staff. We will be better this year. By at least a touchdown, possibly 2.

 

[SanAntonioCat_rivals376502]

This is not meant to be a rah-rah cheerleader post but to me it appears Kentucky's football program is on the edge of climbing the SEC ladder. I know it's hard to comprehend but we are still a young football team compared to other SEC programs.

The bulk of talent that Stoops has recruited to Kentucky is still in their 2nd and third year of college football. Our most experienced QB is a RS Sophomore and he lead our first strong recruiting class. We simply are in a position where our most talented players are transitioning to upperclassmen age and experience. We all know how teams like MSU, Mizzou, and even SC years ago relied on their seasoned upperclassmen to rise in the ranks of the SEC and that is how I see Kentucky.

That is encouraging for me but there is a even bigger sign I think will pay off in the next several years. I think Stoops has over the years greatly improved his coaching staff to train and lead this maturing bulk of talent. Hard to imagine when some of his assistants have been plucked away by the likes of Alabama!

It is that combination of talented players coming into their most productive years as college athletes being lead by proven coaches with track records of success on the field as well as the recruiting arenas that to me looks like a recipe for a solid football program on the rise.

I hope I am right and I hope our fans can add the third ingredient for this success and that is time. Hopefully we will kick in the first door this year and make it to a bowl.

Meanwhile, in Austin, Charlie Strong has told the Texas faculty and Texas Exes alumni, he will be steamrolling opponents into submission soon therefore justifying hiring him in the first place.

 

[murpack]

It seems the OP's assessment is based as much on UK improvement as it is the regression of other SEC programs such as USC, Vandy, Mizzou, etc. Therefore it is hard to measure, even in wins and losses. I have been going to UK games since 1966. I have decided is not how high the ceiling is for the program, but how any success is sustained. I am a loss to that question. I haven't seen sustained success in 50 years. I am not even sure I could recognize it or even definite it. Playing .500 ball against Vanderbilt for a half a century isn't it.

 

[Deeeefense]

I think Stoops has taken the right steps to resolve the structural problems that the offense suffered last season. We will field a talented and experienced offense next season with the obvious exception of the QB spot but at least the projected starter has two years of college football under his belt albeit mostly as a scout team QB and the backup at least has JUCO experience. All the ingredients are there for a very efficient offense, and personally I welcome a return to a pro style offense and no more "air raid".

The defense is more of a question mark with lots of new faces on the field but by and large the same coaches. Stoops is a proven defensive coach and hopefully with the arrival of Gran and Hinshaw he can outsource the entire offense to those guys and really get into the weeds with the defense this season.

It's interesting to look at individual positions and rate the talent and then come up with projections or expectations for a team but I tend to look more at the intangibles as much if not more than the individual player skill. How competent are the coaches?, how well do they work with players? how do the players respond to them? what kind of work habits players develop? how much players trust each other etc? This may not be a great example but I play a lot of doubles tennis, and when I play with a partner that works together well, we can beat opponents of superior skill. Boise State is a team that I love to watch becasue over the years they consistently destroy opponents and beat teams with superior talent becasue they play so well together as a team. Every player seems to always be in sync with every other player. Execution is usually flawless and mental errors rare. The synergy of the team as a whole is more important than the collective individual talents IMO. I'm hopefully that this seasons' Wildcats are developing some of that great team synergy.

 

[WeepNoMore]

One word--FUNDAMENTALS. Actually three words--LACK OF FUNDAMENTALS.

Since the end of the Brooks era, we have been weak in football fundamentals--blocking, tackling, route running, catching the football, coverage skills, missed assignments, senseless penalties, poor clock management, team chemistry, decision-making, etc.

Without a significant leap forward in fundamentals, the upgrade in athletic ability (bigger, stronger, faster) will, unfortunately, continue to be wasted. Wish I could be more optimistic (I'm an optimist by nature.), but Coach Stoops' and his staffs' track record in improving fundamentals has been deficient.

 

[UKErik]

Kentucky has been beyond sad forever now, and for many reasons. Two that really stand out to me are;
1. Horrid offensive line play
2. Not making winning plays in tight games

I'm optimistic about the current group of o-lineman. UK badly needs a group of big uglies to compete against SEC d-fronts. Last year was an especially putrid year at times.

As for #2, dropped passes, missed tackles, bungled coaching decisions, and a plethora of other things have too often left us shaking our heads. #1 won't matter much if #2 stays the same.

GBB!!!

 

[WeepNoMore]

Kentucky has been beyond sad forever now, and for many reasons. Two that really stand out to me are;
1. Horrid offensive line play
2. Not making winning plays in tight games

I'm optimistic about the current group of o-lineman. UK badly needs a group of big uglies to compete against SEC d-fronts. Last year was an especially putrid year at times.

As for #2, dropped passes, missed tackles, bungled coaching decisions, and a plethora of other things have too often left us shaking our heads. #1 won't matter much if #2 stays the same.

GBB!!!

# 2 as you describe it = poor fundamentals, an area in which we have made minimal progress during the Stoops era IMHO. Do you see any hope for progress in this area???

 

[frost1]

Stoops has made great moves in getting Gran & Hinshaw. The other hires are good ones also. I really believe improvement will be there in 2016.

 

[Robcatt24]

Stoops has got to start showing he is more than a recruiter.

 

[Oldtrainer_rivals]

For the 65 years I've been watching UK football the very good teams over those years all had good offensive lines. If Tate is as good as hyped I think other positions are in place to finish 3rd in SEC east. I also think Gran and Hinshaw are a positive up grade!

 

[UKErik]

WeepNoMore, after last year, it would take an awfully heavy dose of blue kool-aid to think this team will turn the corner with fundamentals. Hell, the players were only half the problem. Dropped passes and missed blocks happen to everyone, even Alabama (LOL). But the clownery we saw on the sideline from Mark Stoops (far too often) was disgusting.

Joker Phillips buried this program, so I think the last three years were almost gimmes for Stoops. This year shouldn't be. This years roster is almost entirely his. I'm not suggesting he needs to win the SEC, but the program should begin to look more fundamentally sound. Fewer players out of position. Fewer botched calls from Stoops.

Getting players lined up correctly would be a great start!

GBB!!!

 

[CloverforkCat]

Playing the' we are so young card' only works for so long, this is Stoops 4th year, and he has recruited better than any coach since I have been following UK football 46 years.
This SHOULD be a bowl season, although a somewhat minor one, I am encouraged by the hiring of Gran, Hinshaw, and Thomas. It is the other side of the ball where we struggle mightly, and losing Derrick Ansley really hurts. His replacement may burn it up, but when Alabama hires one of your coaches, he is good !

 

[shutzhund]

Preaching patience usually falls on deaf ears. Many believe they have been the most patient and understanding fan in all sports. After all they have waited three or four years for a miserable program to be competitive in the toughest conference in the Nation. What more can you ask of them. Where's their sugar?

Give the team time to recruit, red shirt, develop talent and the coaching staff to mature and stabilize. If we do that's not a three or four year process. Five minimum to have redshirt seniors backed by redshirt juniors, sophomores, freshmen and the occasional super true freshmen. That is absolutely ideal but why not push for it?

I'm happy with the way things are developing and surprised that most don't feel the same way. Maybe they do.

 

[docholiday51]

WeepNoMore, after last year, it would take an awfully heavy dose of blue kool-aid to think this team will turn the corner with fundamentals. Hell, the players were only half the problem. Dropped passes and missed blocks happen to everyone, even Alabama (LOL). But the clownery we saw on the sideline from Mark Stoops (far too often) was disgusting.

Joker Phillips buried this program, so I think the last three years were almost gimmes for Stoops. This year shouldn't be. This years roster is almost entirely his. I'm not suggesting he needs to win the SEC, but the program should begin to look more fundamentally sound. Fewer players out of position. Fewer botched calls from Stoops.

Getting players lined up correctly would be a great start!

GBB!!!

The Vandy game last season is a prime example,coaching(or the lack thereof) cost us a sixth win.We were the better team,if the coaching improves to the same degree as the depth and talent level we will be fine.All we can do is hope that it does,so that we aren't in a 'start over 'mode in a couple of years.

 

[SanAntonioCat_rivals376502]

The Vandy game last season is a prime example,coaching(or the lack thereof) cost us a sixth win.We were the better team,if the coaching improves to the same degree as the depth and talent level we will be fine.All we can do is hope that it does,so that we aren't in a 'start over 'mode in a couple of years.

At the end of the day, this process is all about building quality depth on both sides of the ball. That takes years in today's instant gratification society. Coaching is improving as well. What manager, CEO, coach or anyone in a leadership need most? To succeed as a leader, you are only as good as your support staff and employees. It is doubly important in college and more so in professional sports.

 

[Levibooty]

I for one can see improvements being made but the one I think will prove to be the catalyst to better performance is these new coaches who are apparently bringing in a no nonsense approach. I think we have accumulated some fairly decent talent but we needed a stronger mature approach from the coaches to corral the youthful talented individuals into a team with common purpose.

For all those people that think I'm wearing blue tinted glasses let me remind you that just a few short weeks ago I was being accused of being too negative about our DL. I haven't changed my mind even a little bit. I think that the changes will let Stoops concentrate on his job as head coach with his security that the offense is in good hands.

The Vandy game TD play was a perfect example of youth, a freshman CB never even looked down the line of scrimmage for the outside WR.

 

[UKErik]

UK's d-line is gonna have more issues than Baskin Robins has flavors. That's just the way it is. And frankly, the o-line isn't likely to be much (if any) better.

No doubt, UK is getting better football players on campus. Unfortunately, SEC football is all about play in the trenches, and IMO, Kentucky just isn't SEC quality yet with the big fellas.

GBB!!!

 

[dyersburgcatfan]

I hope our new coaches can come out with some more imaginative play calling on offense. With an improved OL we should be able to just that. We can't be so predictable all the time.

 

[uk_king_cat2]

This is not meant to be a rah-rah cheerleader post but to me it appears Kentucky's football program is on the edge of climbing the SEC ladder. I know it's hard to comprehend but we are still a young football team compared to other SEC programs.

The bulk of talent that Stoops has recruited to Kentucky is still in their 2nd and third year of college football. Our most experienced QB is a RS Sophomore and he lead our first strong recruiting class. We simply are in a position where our most talented players are transitioning to upperclassmen age and experience. We all know how teams like MSU, Mizzou, and even SC years ago relied on their seasoned upperclassmen to rise in the ranks of the SEC and that is how I see Kentucky.

That is encouraging for me but there is a even bigger sign I think will pay off in the next several years. I think Stoops has over the years greatly improved his coaching staff to train and lead this maturing bulk of talent. Hard to imagine when some of his assistants have been plucked away by the likes of Alabama!

It is that combination of talented players coming into their most productive years as college athletes being lead by proven coaches with track records of success on the field as well as the recruiting arenas that to me looks like a recipe for a solid football program on the rise.

I hope I am right and I hope our fans can add the third ingredient for this success and that is time. Hopefully we will kick in the first door this year and make it to a bowl.

The bulk of talent that Stoops has recruited to Kentucky is still in their 2nd and third year of college football.....That was said last year as well...

 

[uk_king_cat2]

So we are stuck in the it takes 10+ years to build a Successful Football Program.....

 

[UKErik]

I think it's more like we're stuck in it takes "X" years to build SEC quality line play. UK is probably good enough on the perimeter to be competitive. It's the middle third of the field that blisters this program year after year. Hell, we can't even find a QB these days.

GBB!!!

 

[TrollCat_rivals128405]

I think it's more like we're stuck in it takes "X" years to build SEC quality line play. UK is probably good enough on the perimeter to be competitive. It's the middle third of the field that blisters this program year after year. Hell, we can't even find a QB these days.

Yup. And it makes me a bit ill to see how many WRs and DBs we have on scholarship compared to DL, DE,LB, and OT. Those numbers should be flipped.

 

[UKErik]

UK's inability to build a force in the middle of the field is just unbelievable to me. In the 1993 NFL draft, two UK offensive lineman were taken (Todd Perry and Chuck Bradley). From 1994-2015 (22 NFL drafts), Kentucky had ONE offensive lineman taken (Larry Warford in '13). How in the hell does a SEC football program have only ONE freaking o-lineman taken in the last TWENTY TWO drafts?

UK has had better luck on defense, but we haven't been able to sustain it. Some years we have NFL caliber tackles but not ends. In others, it's the other way around. Almost every year, there's been no depth.

How much progress has been made in this area? I think the program has some really promising offensive lineman. I don't see the same promise on the defensive side.

GBB!!!

 

[BigBluePhantom]

I really can't help you guys. It does take 7 to 10 years to build a top level SEC program when you are starting with OVC level talent. You don't want to hear that so I guess you want to be lied to. I can blow sunshine up your a$$ but at the end of the day it is still going to take a long time to get there. That doesn't mean we shouldn't improve along the way. We absolutely should. However, the improvement will be very gradual and there will surely be some setbacks along the way.

Yes Erik, line play is the key but there is a reason that we aren't bringing in as many top linemen as we are RB's and WR's. RB's and WR's are a dime a dozen. There are plenty to go around. Great linemen, on the other hand, are very limited in number and the Bama's and LSU's are making them a priority. No leftovers at this position for us to snatch up. This is a position that will have to be coached up at UK for several more years. Our DL coach has done a hell of a job coaching up our 2 and 3 star D-linemen but I am not quite as convinced on the otherside of the ball.

 

[jauk11]

WeepNoMore, after last year, it would take an awfully heavy dose of blue kool-aid to think this team will turn the corner with fundamentals. Hell, the players were only half the problem. Dropped passes and missed blocks happen to everyone, even Alabama (LOL). But the clownery we saw on the sideline from Mark Stoops (far too often) was disgusting.

Joker Phillips buried this program, so I think the last three years were almost gimmes for Stoops. This year shouldn't be. This years roster is almost entirely his. I'm not suggesting he needs to win the SEC, but the program should begin to look more fundamentally sound. Fewer players out of position. Fewer botched calls from Stoops.

Getting players lined up correctly would be a great start!

GBB!!!

It isn't very often that I find anything in your posts to argue about, BUT:

Joker Phillips had a TREMENDOUS amount of help from the athletic department in burying the program------we were just very lucky that we had Brooks for quite a while that was able to keep it above ground------barely.

And since you are talking about the linemen as a whole I think the GREAT improvement coming up on the OL will offset any decline in the DL------and I am not even sure at this point that there will be a decline in the DL. But I do believe the back seven will be improved from early reports, better LBs should help a 3-4 defensive line which will help them look better and I think everyone agrees that our DBs should be very good, including depth.

 

[hmt5000]

We've taken 3 or 4 JUCO's every year stoops has been here. This year I think we probably only take 1 dl unless unforseen attrition kills a spot. That is improving the roster folks because you take JUCO's for holes.

I'm not as excited as I was the last couple years just because I felt so let down. From a talent and staff standpoint, I like '16 &'17 a hell of a lot better than the last 2 years. I'm definitely in the stoops camp for 2 more years because changing probably sets us back a couple years.

Winning hides mistakes and losing highlights them. 4 or 5 plays go differently last year and we have 7 or 8 wins and everyone is full of blue kool-aid. But they didn't so we are all overly pessimistic.

I still like our staff better than vandy, scar and missou.

 

[CHAMPCAT11]

I really can't help you guys. It does take 7 to 10 years to build a top level SEC program when you are starting with OVC level talent. You don't want to hear that so I guess you want to be lied to. I can blow sunshine up your a$$ but at the end of the day it is still going to take a long time to get there. That doesn't mean we shouldn't improve along the way. We absolutely should. However, the improvement will be very gradual and there will surely be some setbacks along the way.

Yes Erik, line play is the key but there is a reason that we aren't bringing in as many top linemen as we are RB's and WR's. RB's and WR's are a dime a dozen. There are plenty to go around. Great linemen, on the other hand, are very limited in number and the Bama's and LSU's are making them a priority. No leftovers at this position for us to snatch up. This is a position that will have to be coached up at UK for several more years. Our DL coach has done a hell of a job coaching up our 2 and 3 star D-linemen but I am not quite as convinced on the otherside of the ball.

I just want to reply to your first sentence. "7-10 years to build a top level SEC program". You may be right and in our case we may never be 'top level'. But it doesn't take 7-10 years to win 6 games when you play 12 with 2-3 patsies handed to you. We've got some awesome fans that stick with the team regardless of how good we are but if we don't win 6 games this year I think Stoops will have under achieved big time. 6 wins is not asking for too much IMO.

 

[CB3UK]

I'm in wait and see mode at this point. Coach Gran saying we're going to be a run first team does not inspire confidence in me. I would love to be that team, but I'll believe it when I see if. This all sounds like the same script we've seen play out already.

 

[loublue22_rivals308424]

we have this thread every year

 

[sambowieshin_rivals]

I will be sitting in Commonwealth again this Fall like I have for the last 25 years.....waiting for the Great Pumpkin.

 

[truebluewildcat_rivals34254]

where we are as a program is at the bottom looking to climb up...

in terms of Stoops era, we are entering a time when a lot of questions will be answered

Will his QB pan out?

Will his "Stoops Troops" pan out?

Will his defense, and specifically D coordinator be able to make stops in this league and get off the field?

Will he himself, his D, and D coordinator be able to figure out a versatile qb?

Will he be able to let the offensive staff do their thing with out a lot of micro managing?

Those questions will be answered this year.