Skip to main content

Paths to a Promising Season

by: Justin Rowland07/16/25
1 - Gusta _MG_0104
Defensive tackle David Gusta impressed this spring for Kentucky. (Jeff Drummond/Cats Illustrated)

Kentucky won’t be picked to finish near the top of the SEC standings going into the 2025 college football season, but Mark Stoops is tasked with finding a way to overachieve with this year’s team.

There are good reasons why Kentucky will be picked to finish in the lower portion of the league. Last year didn’t go well and there are questions at a number of positions after a heavy round of portal work.

The games still have to be played. Here, Cats Illustrated takes a look at reasons for optimism ahead of the 2025 season.

READ: Paths to a Promising Season