First Down Kentucky: 'Right now it's 24/7'

There ain’t no rest for the wicked. It’s the craziest time of the year and First Down Kentucky is here to help you wade through all of the news around college football.

College football is unique in that its offseason overlaps with its postseason. After providing some initial thoughts on the task Kentucky faces against Clemson in the Gator Bowl, Mark Stoops was asked to dive into more details about Dabo Swinney’s program.

“I’ve been on the road. I’m a little blurry-eyed, got home last night, came to this (press conference) and I’m leaving in a half-hour, so I have had zero time to look at Clemson other than what you know about them,” Kentucky’s head coach said Monday.

Mark Stoops was in Georgia recruiting Sunday night. He went back on the road to recruit high school talent on Monday and he’ll stay out and about for most of the week. There’s no break once the week ends. His staff is busy evaluating transfer portal prospects and organizing visits for this upcoming weekend.

“It’s pretty much 24/7. It does kill me once in a while, when guys I’ve known for 10 years and good friends of mine that are in town and I love them, they are dear friends – ‘Hey coach, you wanna go do this?’ Like don’t you understand I’m busy 24/7 right now. Like literally, right now it’s 24/7. Everybody thinks it stops right after the season, (but) probably the busiest time of the season is between now and December 20th when we get a little break before Christmas.” He added, “Between now and December 20th it’s 24/7.”

It’s 24/7 over here at Kentucky Sports Radio. Let’s touch on more of what’s happened around the BBN over the last 24 hours.

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Stoops seeing no impact from Texas A&M talk

The Governor’s Cup victory celebration was cut short by talks between Mark Stoops and Texas A&M. Reports surfaced that Stoops was the man for the job in College Station until he shared a Tweet early Sunday morning confirming that he would in fact remain at Kentucky.

Kentucky fans weren’t the only ones panicking. Stoops said coaches and players were reaching out to share their concerns.

“I was getting calls by some of those guys Saturday night and I assured them from the first phone call, one very big, large human in particular. I said I am coming back, and he said, ‘Coach,’ and I said, ‘I am coming back.’ So, early on Saturday when that first started floating, I made sure to hold down the big man and tell him that I was definitely coming back and that he needed to come back.”

That big man was no doubt Deone Walker, who received First Team All-SEC honors from the AP Tuesday morning. Since the tumultuous Saturday night, Mark Stoops has seen no residual side effects, particularly on the recruiting trail.

“None whatsoever. We moved past that in five minutes,” he said.

Josh Allen is going to get PAID

The greatest defensive player to wear Kentucky blue and white in decades is well on his way to one of the most lucrative deals in the NFL this offseason. Last night Josh Allen recorded 1.5 sacks, improving his season total to 13.5, tied for third in the NFL. He also tallied seven tackles and an interception in the Jaguars’ overtime loss to Cincinnati.

The seventh overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft signed a rookie deal worth just shy of $23 million in guaranteed money. Jacksonville picked up his option for a fifth season in 2023. His current deal ranks 23rd among all NFL EDGE rushers. When he enters free agency next season he could become the highest-paid player at his position in the NFL. If he stays in Duval, that cash is tax free. Secure that bag, Mr. Allen.

Former Kentucky Teammates Duel

It slipped under my radar during the preseason. Quinton Bohanna was waived by the Cowboys after training camp. Entering his third year in the NFL, he found a nice landing spot in Detroit. Elevated to the practice squad in week 13, this week he made an appearance on Redzone when he tackled his former teammate, Lynn Bowden, behind the line of scrimmage in the Lions 33-28 win over the Saints.

Following the game, the largest jersey swap in recent Kentucky football history occurred. The Cats are well represented across the National Football League.

Five Players. Two Teams. One Kentucky Football Family. #BBN pic.twitter.com/QMiJtbHQXG

— KSR (@KSRonX) December 5, 2023

Trust Funding College Football?

Ross Dellenger broke a story this morning that could drastically change the way college sports operate at the highest level. New president Charlie Baker is proposing the addition of a new subdivision for the biggest movers and shakers in the sport. What will be the biggest changes? The way athletes are compensated.

In this new model schools will be able to strike their own NIL deals with student-athletes. More importantly, schools can directly compensate athletes through a trust fund, requiring them to invest a minimum of $30,000 a year into each athlete.

The proposal is in its infant stages and the details are a bit complicated, so I’ll let you read the entire story. Change is coming and this could be the biggest yet to college sports.