Jamarion Wilcox suspension: Mark Stoops reveals latest update on Kentucky RB's status with program

Kentucky RB Jamarion Wilcox did not play in the Wildcats’ opener this weekend, with Mark Stoops revealing afterward that he was serving a suspension for a violation of team rules. However, Stoops, after saying he’d have more on that matter today, didn’t share anything new when it came to the redshirt sophomore at running back.

Stoops was asked for that update on Wilcox during his morning press conference on Monday. He changed his mind since first mentioning it this weekend, though, saying Wilcox was still suspended but with no further comment on the issue.

“Yeah, I don’t have anything. His status has not changed,” said Stoops. “So, I really cannot comment on that anymore.”

Again, the expectation was an update on Wilcox to start this week, with his status with the program actually coming into question. That’s with Stoops sharing postgame on Saturday that Wilcox had been suspended and saying more was to come to start this week, putting off further comments until his next media availability today.

“Yeah, Jamarion was out today. I’ll update you this week, but a violation of team rules,” Stoops said after the 24-16 win over Toledo in the opener. “I’ll give you more information when I can.”

This is not the first time that Wilcox has been a topic of discussion since last season in Lexington. Questions have come up about his accountability, maturity, and consistency, specifically from Stoops himself in speaking about him previously despite the talents he has shown in the backfield. Try as he may have, that eventually reflected in this season’s depth chart with Wilcox down to being no higher than fourth at running back behind Dante Dowdell, Seth McGowan, and Jason Patterson. That makes even more sense now with this news of his suspension.

As a redshirt freshman last season, Wilcox ended up being the leading rusher for UK. He posted 92 carries for 590 yards and two touchdowns, while also catching seven balls for 24 yards. He led them on the ground despite having 37 fewer carries than Demie Sumo-Karngbaye, as he averaged 6.4 yards per carry, as part of some big-run potential, en route to averaging 49.2 rushing yards per game.

Despite his suspension, the run game was probably one of the two best parts of Kentucky’s opening win over Toledo. The Wildcats ran for 220 rushing yards, as part of the 305 total for their offense, at 5.1 yards per rush behind Dowdell (129 yards, TD) and McGowan (78 yards, TD).

Stoops ended up not having anything else to share on Wilcox’s current status. That said, he clearly isn’t in good standing within the program at the moment as his suspension continues on.