WATCH: Mark Stoops reveals his thoughts on Chris Rodriguez's recent troubles
As Mark Stoops and Kentucky arrive at SEC Media Days today, one question will rear it’s head throughout the day. That question will surround the legal situation involving Wildcat running back Chris Rodriguez. Rodriguez was arrested in May for a DUI. He pled guilty to the charges earlier this month.
One of the first questions Stoops was asked was about his starting running back. He kept it short and simply said Rodriguez is training with the team in Lexington.
“Chris is in Lexington working very hard with the team, training (and) getting ready. I don’t really have any other comment at this time,” said Stoops.
That type of update is one that should be expected until any punishment for Rodriguez is announced. While there’s been two months for Rodriguez to be punished internally within the program, a suspension ahead of the 2022 season is expected to be announced eventually.
With the Wildcats earning some backfield commitments over the last few weeks, some saw it as insurance for when Rodriguez wouldn’t be available early in the season. However, Mark Stoops shot down that sentiment as nothing more than standard recruiting.
“We like the running backs. One we really recruited as an athlete so he’s not a true running back. Then the other one we just felt like we needed to (recruit),” he said.
More news should come on Kentucky’s sixth all-time leading rusher and the SEC’s best returning rusher as the season draws nearer. For now, though, it looks like Mark Stoops will be playing it close to the vest with his comments on Rodriguez during his time at Media Days.
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Levis, Rodriguez named to Maxwell Award Watch List
Kentucky’s Will Levis and Chris Rodriguez have been named two players to watch for the upcoming college football season’s Maxwell Award, the Maxwell Football Club announced Monday.
Levis and Rodriguez made the list of 85 players who are expected to shine and contend. The 86-year-old trophy is awarded to each season’s most outstanding player. The Maxwell Award is named for Robert “Tiny” Maxwell, a standout at Swarthmore College in the early-1900s.
Semifinalists for this year’s Maxwell Award will be named on November 1, the week after Kentucky travels to Tennessee. By then, Levis and Rodriguez may very well be in consideration as the list is trimmed down. The three finalists for the Maxwell Award will be unveiled on November 22, days after Kentucky hosts Georgia in Lexington. If Levis or Rodriguez make the top three, there is a lot of fun ahead this fall.