Newcomers may help Kentucky get back to physical ground game
Mark Stoops has made no secret of his desire to get back to a more physical approach on the offensive side of the ball.
Kentucky’s typically vaunted rushing attack slipped to 12th in the SEC and 81st nationally in 2024, one of the big reasons why the Wildcats finsihed 4-8 and missed a bowl game for the first time in eight years.
That led to both the offensive line and running back positions becoming a major priority for UK in the transfer portal. The Cats landed two backs, Dante Dowdell from Nebraska and Seth McGowan from New Mexico State, who they believe can help bring some punch back to the offense.
“Everything we thought”
The 6-foot-2, 227-pound Dowdell is “everything we thought,” Stoops said during Monday’s Q&A session prior to the annual UK Football Kickoff Luncheon. “He’s a really physical guy, a really good player.”
Dowdell, who led the Cornhuskers in rushing with 614 yards and scored 12 touchdowns last season, could be an answer to the Cats’ struggles in short-yardage situations and goal-line snaps a year ago. UK averaged only 3.9 yards per carry, ranked 119th nationally in third-down conversions, and 105th in red-zone scoring.
“We went out and identified a guy like Dante Dowdell, who’s played a lot of football and had success,” said UK offensive coordinator Bush Hamdan. “He brings a physical element to his game.”
The 6-foot-1, 215-pound McGowan has some of the same attributes. He began his career at Oklahoma, where he was recruited by current UK running backs coach Jay Boulware. That connection led to a reunion in Lexington.
“Big-time player”
“He’s a big-time player,” Stoops said of McGowan, who rushed for 823 yards and three touchdowns last season with New Mexico State. “He’s just very good in a lot of areas. He’s explosive, he’s got a lot of experience, he’s dynamic.”
The UK staff had to do some additional vetting of McGowan before adding him to the roster. He was dismissed from Oklahoma following an armed robbery investigation. After taking a year off from football, he resumed his career at the NAIA and juco levels before landing at New Mexico State in 2024.
“It was extremely important that coach Boulware was (at Oklahoma) and knew who he was as a human, knew who he was as a person,” Stoops said. “He’s really come a long ways. He’s learned. He made a mistake, so he’s got to make the most of it. He’s been a very good addition. I love his personality. He’s fun. He’s energetic. He does his job.”
“I think the biggest thing about that running back room is just the size and physicality of both those guys,” Hamdan said of Dowdell and McGowan. “I don’t think we’re going to travel anywhere and think we can’t bring that physicality to the game.”
Wilcox also impresses Stoops
Stoops also praised the maturation process of sophomore running back Jamarion Wilcox, who will likely be the explosive option to Dowdell and McGowan’s more physical style. But even Wilcox, who played last season around 180 pounds, has embraced the bulk-up mindset in the UK weight room.
“I’m proud of Jamarion,” Stoops said. “He’s really improved, gotten better. He’s one who has that mentality I’ve talked about — just put his head down, been quiet, just been working. He’s almost up to 200 pounds. He’s 198 or 197. Physically, just getting better.”
Wilcox has shown major potential in his two seasons with the Cats. As a redshirt freshman last season, he led UK with 590 yards (6.6 yards per carry) and two touchdowns. He had a 102-yard performance against Tennessee, one of the top rushing defenses in the country.
Redshirt freshman Jason Patterson (5-10, 203) is another contender for carries in the UK backfield. He’s coming off a strong showing for the Cats in spring practice. He carried the ball 20 times for 111 yards in four games last season while retaining his redshirt year.
“Good depth there,” Stoops said of the group.