First Down Kentucky: Newcomers Impressing at Spring Practice
Mark Stoops is typically hesitant to single out individuals during Kentucky spring practice. Fortunately for the BBN, he wasn’t the one who stepped up to the podium after the Wildcats’ fourth practice.
New offensive coordinator Bush Hamdan was behind the mic, and among other things, he shared an optimistic outlook on a few young players.
RB Jason Patterson
“I really have been pleased with Jason Patterson, the running back. No. 26 has done a really nice job. As a young guy, we put him in there with the twos initially. He’s moved up with the ones, really come along,” said Hamdan.
I know another No. 26 who was pretty good at running the football during his true freshman season. Patterson led the state of Florida in rushing yards as a junior and has the physicality to step in right away. After seeing him tear up the second team defense, they’re wanting to see how he plays against the starters. It’s encouraging because Kentucky cannot win with Chip Trayanum carrying the entire load.
WR Hardley Gilmore
“I think Hardley is probably one of the more talented 17-year-olds I’ve been around at the receiver position,” said Hamdan. “We just got to get things to slow down for him.”
Hamdan also said Fred Farrier has also stood out early, but let’s talk a little bit more about Gilmore. He comes from Muck City, Florida, one of the most talent-rich areas in the country. Gilmore enrolled early and participated in bowl practices. KSR heard positive early reports about Gilmore. That endorsement doesn’t ring as loudly as this one.
“Hardley’s just like me, we kind of have the same background,” said Barion Brown. “He’s a freak of nature, he is. Him being so coachable, so ready to play and learn, always taking mental reps, always asking questions of the older guys, Hardley’s going to be a good one, I promise you. He’s going to be great.”
OL Jalen Farmer
“There’s some talent in some of the other younger offensive linemen as well. I think Farmer’s doing a tremendous job, every day getting better, straining,” said Hamdan.
One of the biggest criticisms of Eric Wolford’s first stint was his inability to develop a rotation on the offensive line. Today the UK offensive line coach said they’re deeper now than they were two years ago. Farmer is a big reason why. He’s pushing the other interior offensive linemen, creating competition in the trenches.
Kentucky Tight Ends are Ready
“I actually feel that group out there is further ahead than maybe any other group on the offense,” said Hamdan. “I think Vince does a tremendous job. There’s certainly three to four players in that group that we can go out there and win with. We need to continue to build their role, continue to bring those guys along. That’s a group that works at it. They’re very intentional with what they do and they’re going to be a unit that leads us for sure in the fall.”
We’ve all heard it before. The question has been asked a million times by the BBN: “Is this the year they’re finally going to use the tight ends?” Hamdan believes their versatility will make them weapons, but he’s not willing to make any promises on how many passes will be thrown their way.
“By the nature of the tight ends, one part of being downhill run-blockers, part two of being vertical threats, I think it’s one of the most dynamic positions you can have because of the threat of both the run and pass. I don’t think we view any one position as our go-to position. Obviously, as we all know, each game dictates different styles of play, but a versatile tight end, as we’ve certainly seen in the NFL and at this level, can be a game-changer.”
An Unexpected Absence
During his conversation with the media, Barion Brown let something slip. “We haven’t got to see (Ja’Mori Maclin) yet.” Mark Stoops said at UK Pro Day that Kentucky has been dealing with some injuries. It’s safe to say the former North Texas transfer is among the early injury absences, but sources indicate there’s no need to worry long-term about Maclin.
Kentucky Changing Workouts to Adjust to Tempo
You’ve heard the phrase “physicality” used as a point of emphasis in the trenches. They can’t only focus on getting bigger and stronger in the weight room. The offense also has to become well-conditioned to play faster as the offense uses more tempo under Bush Hamdan.
Super senior center Eli Cox said the Kentucky strength and conditioning staff has changed the way they work out. Breaks in between reps have been shortened to the amount of time they expect between snaps. It simulates what the players are experiencing on the football field.
There are still some of you who probably still question Kentucky’s capacity to play fast after watching the Wildcats run at a snail’s pace the last two seasons. The new helmet technology has drastically changed the offensive operation after just a week of practice.
“Those things are awesome. It has streamlined everything,” said Cox. “We’re able to go fast without the huddle now. We’re able to go even faster when there’s not people trying to speak sign language to eight different positions on the sideline, trying to make sure it’s covered and no one’s stealing it. You don’t have to worry about sign-stealing. You don’t have to worry about changing your signs because there’s another coach you worked with 10 years ago on the other sideline at a different job. It makes everything so much easier, so much faster, and just streamlines all of that communication to make us go faster.”
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