Ja'Mori Maclin could become vertical field stretcher Kentucky has been missing

In 2016, Jeff Badet became one of the best explosive play receivers in the SEC. The former three-star recruit from Central Florida shined in Eddie Gran’s first offense at Kentucky recording 31 receptions for 670 yards and four touchdowns. Nearly half of Badet’s yardage came in the vertical passing game.

According to PFF data, Badet reeled in 7 of 16 targets of 20-plus air yards for 305 yards and three touchdowns. That even included two drops. Badet ranked No. 2 in the SEC in receptions of 40-plus yards (eight). With a dynamic rushing attack and a true vertical threat, Kentucky scored over 30 points per game and defeated Heisman Trophy winner Lamar Jackson in a rivalry shootout to claim the Governor’s Cup.

That type of vertical threat has been missing from Kentucky’s offense since Badet transferred to Oklahoma following the 2016 season. Through multiple offensive coordinators and a big scheme change, Kentucky has long been looking for an effective vertical option.

North Texas transfer Ja’Mori Maclin could provide the Wildcats a legitimate home run threat on vertical pass concepts after committing to the program on Wednesday afternoon.

On passes of 20-plus air yards, Maclin reeled in 12 receptions on 34 targets but amassed over 500 receiving yards on 42.3 yards per reception for six touchdowns. PFF credited the former high three-star recruit in the class of 2020 with four contested catches. On tape, the veteran wideout with inside-outside versatility was often lined up at X receiver into the boundary in North Texas’ spread scheme with Air Raid roots. Maclin won with releases and showed tremendous ball tracking down the field.

The transfer was named a second-team all-conference selection in the American after recording 57 receptions for 1,004 yards and 11 touchdowns. Maclin ranked No. 10 nationally in receptions of 30-plus yards (11). Many targets ended in incompletions (57% catch rate) but when Maclin caught the ball good things happened (49% success rate, 23% explosive rate).

Kentucky desperately attempted to get the vertical passing game rolling in 2023. Unfortunately, the Cats were woefully inefficient on vertical shot throws. Devin Leary enters bowl season having completed only 17 of 60 (28.3%) passes of 20-plus air yards with four touchdowns and three interceptions. This offense must get better at hitting on big plays over top with Georgia transfer Brock Vandagriff stepping in at QB1.

Ja’Mori Maclin could give Liam Coen‘s offense a true deep threat to build around. The North Texas graduate transfer gets open deep and completes catches.