Mark Stoops still monitoring Chris Rodriguez's situation, availability

If you were hoping for some clarity regarding Chris Rodriguez‘s availability for this season at SEC Media Days, well, you’re out of luck. Stoops just told local reporters that he is still monitoring Rodriguez’s situation with fewer than 50 days until kickoff. The Kentucky running back was arrested for a DUI on Nicholasville Rd. in May and pleaded guilty earlier this month.

“Chris is there in Lexington, working hard, training with the team, getting ready,” Stoops said. “I really don’t have any other comment at this point.”

Rodriguez is on the verge of rewriting Kentucky’s record book after a historic 2021 season. He set a new school record with nine 100-yard rushing games to tally 1,378 yards. It was the fifth-best rushing season in school history, more yards than Benny Snell ever posted in a single season. Rodriguez is on the verge of surpassing Mark Higgs to move into No. 5 on Kentucky’s all-time rushing list. He’s 1,134 rushing yards away from breaking Snell’s four-year-old career rushing record.

This week media members will vote on the preseason All-SEC teams. Rodriguez will be on the first team when it’s announced on Friday. The McDonough, Ga. native will likely earn a few preseason All-American honors as well, already with one in his pocket this summer.