Rich Scangarello addresses running back depth after injuries
As Kentucky keeps looking lower and lower on the running back depth chart for options following the news that Ramon Jefferson has torn his ACL, offensive coordinator Rich Scangarello is not overly concerned. Having coached at every level of football, Scangarello can’t think of a time he’s gone through a year without a running back getting hurt.
That said, he’s thankful for some of the depth Kentucky has built at the position. Along with Jefferson, expected starter Chris Rodriguez has yet to appear this season after being suspended for a DUI and an undisclosed issue. Additionally, JuTahn McClain left the opener with an injury and may not be available to play against Florida on Saturday. Even with a thinned-out stable of running backs, Scangarello is excited.
“But, you know, I have yet to be anywhere where I have gotten through a season without having back injuries,” Scangarello said. “It’s just the nature of the position. The physicality. What we ask guys to do. You got to be ready for it. Next man up. And the cool thing is we built a deep room for this reason, recruiting-wise, what they’ve done here in the past bringing in an extra guy. And I think we can sustain it and we’re gonna just move forward and next man up. And I’m excited about those guys. They’re playing good.”
While Jefferson is out for the rest of the season and McClain should be back in a matter of weeks, if not this week, Rodriguez remains the enigma. Head coach Mark Stoops has generally been quite coy about when Rodriguez will make his return, though it is expected to be some time this season.
Now Kentucky will be looking to the likes of Kavosiey Smoke and Michael Drennen as they face the Gators this weekend. And a lot of the attention will be on the Anthony Richardson–Will Levis duel at quarterback.
Prospects for the remaining healthy backs aside, Scangarello also hurt for the injured players, especially Jefferson.
“It’s really unfortunate what happened,” Scangarello said. “Both of those guys have been playing very well. Ramon, I tell you what, the run he had was why I love him. It was a 14-yard run on the first run he had, or 12 yards or something like that. Just the way he was on the combination, hit it.”