Offense hits lull on Day 4 at Kentucky camp

Thanks to the rain holding off for just long enough, Kentucky hosted its annual Fan Day on Saturday at the Joe Craft Football Training Facility. There was a lot of excitement regarding the new offense in Lexington, but the other side of the ball stole the show.

Defensive coordinator Brad White’s unit was the big winner of the day as the defense recorded multiple interceptions and pass breakups with the offense going through some growing pains. However, it wasn’t all bad at practice No. 4 for offensive coordinator Rich Scangarello.

After taking in the full session on Saturday, KSR is here to provide some instant takeaways. The offense is up first.

Intermediate passing game struggles

Everyone loves the longball, but the in-between area is what can give an offense efficiency to stay ahead of the chains and consistently create scoring opportunities. Kentucky is looking to grow its offense by getting both running backs and tight ends heavily involved in the throw game.

That transition looked messy on Saturday.

Redshirt senior Will Levis threw multiple interceptions in the open practice with second-level Kentucky defenders making multiple plays on the ball. Most of those plays were made by linebackers and redshirt sophomore D’Eryk Jackson stood out in multiple moments.

The offense had some struggles in run period, 7-on-7, and team to close out the practice. There were some good moments, but overall it seemed like a bad day for the offense. Levis admitted that at the end.

“It’s not up to our standard,” Kentucky’s quarterback said.

But we are very early into fall camp. There will be some ups and downs on both sides of the football. Monitoring the progression of the passing game will be something many have their eyes on now. Kentucky needs a consistent intermediate passing game to get to where they want to get this season.

Tayvion Robinson shines

There were some offensive struggles, but Virginia Tech transfer Tayvion Robinson looks like a guy that will be a very productive player at Kentucky. The senior is getting most of the slot snaps with the ones, and it’s clear he already has a strong connection with Levis.

Robinson made some big grabs over the middle of the field and has flashed some wiggle when he has the ball in space. In pre-practice, the senior was seen working on punt return and is going to be a clear guy for Kentucky.

WR1 will be heavily involved in Kentucky’s offense this season. Robinson can be a difference maker.

Ramon Jefferson belongs

Ramon Jefferson has been a college football player for a long time. The New York native spent five seasons at the FCS and junior college level flashing durability and consistent production. However, the tailback wanted to prove himself at the highest level.

That is proving to be the right decision.

Kentucky got numerous running backs involved with the ones, and Jefferson looked like one of the better tailbacks on Saturday. The former FCS All-American showed vision, feel, and burst as a rusher and looked capable as a receiver.

The transfer can help Kentucky this season. Expect Jefferson to be a part of the rotation to begin the season.

Chris Rodriguez Jr. is still Chris Rodriguez Jr.

There is a potential suspension looming, but redshirt senior tailback Chris Rodriguez Jr. is still one of the top players on Kentucky’s team. That showed up on Saturday.

https://t.co/hAQmyBoTGp pic.twitter.com/OU09ylV5ur

— Drew Franklin (@DrewFranklinKSR) August 6, 2022

The All-SEC player is in good physical shape, made some assertive reads and cuts on stretch zone reps, and had the biggest highlight play of the day with a one-handed pluck on a wheel route on what was a great throw and catch against tight coverage.

We are unsure if Rodriguez will be good to go against Miami (Ohio) on Labor Day Saturday, but the tailback could be headed to a big season whenever he is back on the field.

Barion Brown, Dane Key flash talent

When looking for potential offensive weapons, you don’t have to look far until both Barion Brown and Dane Key catch your eye. Both blue-chip newcomers should help Kentucky this season.

Key is a true outside receiver who can make tough grabs across the middle and down the sideline. The Lexington (Ky.) Frederick Douglass product is a starter right now and should be one of the top receivers this year.

Brown has some more to prove, but the athletic juice is undeniable. The Nashville (Tenn.) Pearl-Cohn product moves differently than others on the Kentucky roster, and the Wildcats are already making a concerted effort to give him schemed touches. In the passing game, Brown also hauled in a go-ball down the sideline against tight man coverage. The former top-100 recruit can be a playmaker.

Expect each to have a heavy role in the offense this season.

Josh Kattus surprises

Cincinnati (Ohio) Moeller tight end Josh Kattus was one of the lowest ranked players in Kentucky’s praised 2022 recruiting class. However, the true freshman is pushing for playing time in a very deep position room.

Multiple times on Saturday, this rookie made crushing blocks in run concepts that caught the attention of both players and coaches. Kattus looks like a player that will have a chance to play and that is 100 percent due to his blocking ability.

The tight end is somewhat undersized, but his blocking versatility could be a very valuable asset in this pro-style offense.

Quick hitters

• Redshirt senior Kenneth Horsey is the clear leader of the Big Blue Wall, and the redshirt senior was excellent in pass protection on Saturday. The three-year starter has a chance to be one of the best guards in the SEC.
• True freshman Grant Bingham looked like he belonged at practice. The Paintsville (Ky.) Johnson Central alum is likely headed for a redshirt year but will have a chance to be a strong player down the road.
• It was a quiet day for redshirt senior tight end Keaton Upshaw. The veteran did not get many reps with the ones.
• Redshirt freshman Jager Burton got some burn with the twos at center. The former blue-chip recruit is still one of Kentucky’s top backups at guard, but some cross-training is going on early in camp.