LIVE UPDATES: 2025 Kentucky Football Media Day
Kentucky Football Media Day is here. We heard from Mark Stoops on Monday, but today, athletic director Mitch Barnhart, offensive coordinator Bush Hamdan, and defensive coordinator Brad White will take the podium at Kroger Field to preview the season with reporters. Interviews with the players will follow. The day will wrap with an open practice.
KSR is on the ground to cover it all, after enjoying a light breakfast courtesy of UK Athletics. Bookmark this feed for the latest updates.
Videos of all the Pressers are LIVE on the KSR YouTube Channel
08/01/2025 11:37:56 AMMiss anything that happened this morning? Don’t fret. We got you covered. Mitch Barnhart had a newsy press conference. We also spent about 30 minutes with Bush Hamdan and Brad White. Enjoy.
One Thing That Stood Out
08/01/2025 11:14:53 AMThe maturity of this team is abundantly clear. There’s just a night and day difference between this year and last. It’s hard to exactly put your finger on it, but when you speak to them, they sound like professionals.
It’s difficult to single out any one individual in particular because it applies to so many, but Seth McGowan was impressive. To speak candidly about facing up to 70 years in prison takes some vulnerability. He is comfortable talking about it because he learned from those lessons by leaning into his faith. It will take some time to properly tell his story, but when you see it, you’ll easily understand his why.
Time to Hit the Field
08/01/2025 09:41:04 AMAfter sitting in the Kroger Field media room for about 90 minutes, we’re breaking from press conferences to speak with the players on the turf of the Kentucky football stadium. We’ll let you know how it all unfolds after lunch.
On the Wide Receivers
08/01/2025 09:38:15 AMBush Hamdan said the Ja’Mori Maclin is a good example of what Kentucky wants this program to be. The offensive coordinator was extremely high on Hardley Gilmore last fall. “The sky’s the limit” for the wide receiver who transferred to Nebraska for a spring before returning to Kentucky. Gilmore’s success this fall will be determined by his focus.
The Running Game Starts with the Transfers
08/01/2025 09:35:25 AMThey brought Seth McGowan and Dante Dowdell in to play. Bush Hamdan likes the progress made by Jason Patterson and Jamarion Wilcox, but McGowan is here to deliver some lightning alongside Dowdell’s thunder.
How the QB Reps are Split
08/01/2025 09:32:53 AMThere is a strong belief in Cutter Boley. They like the progress he’s made, but Zach Calzada is getting the lion’s share of reps with 75% of the workload with the ones.
Brad White Believes in Second-Year Players in Kentucky’s “Collective” Defense
08/01/2025 09:29:48 AM“Last year’s class has a chance to be one of the most impactful defensive classes we’ve ever had come through this program.”
That’s a strong statement. There are plenty of talented guys who are expected to play bigger roles. Even if you aren’t a starter, you could play starter’s snaps.
White said in the past, 6-8 guys would play 70+ snaps. This will be a “collective” defense where he assigns groups or sub-packages 30-40 snaps. “You better go all-out in your package,” and then the baton will be passed to the next group. That is why it’s important for the second year guys to shine, particularly in the secondary.
“This group is wired right.”
08/01/2025 09:21:09 AMBrad White likes the depth of the defense and their approach, but it’s just August. “You really don’t know what you have until the middle of the season. That’s the reality of it.” They weren’t physically and mentally tough enough to withstand and overcome that adversity in the middle of last season.
Brad White Dodged my 4-3 Question
08/01/2025 09:16:27 AMJordan Lovett said at SEC Media Days they’ll play with more four-down linemen this fall. Tried to see if the Kentucky defensive coordinator would elaborate more. “In this day in age in college football, you’ve got to be multiple.”
White said they have to tailor the scheme around the players. He didn’t confirm it, but this group of D-Linemen is built to play more of a traditional 4-3 look.
You Gotta Spend Money to Make Money
08/01/2025 09:12:11 AMMitch Barnhart announced about $100 million in capital campaign projects, all while most schools were penny-pinching to prepare for revenue-sharing. UK is justifying it as a way to create more revenue streams, particularly with the potential addition of an entertainment district on South Campus.
College Athletics Needs Continuity
08/01/2025 09:01:45 AMBarnhart was asked about federal legislation and if collective bargaining is a better alternative than relying on Congress. The Kentucky AD believes you need every state and organization operating under the same rules before you can go to the bargaining table with athletes. Right now, all it takes is a rogue state or program to ruin it all. Once there is an enforced system in place for college athletics, collective bargaining can become a reality.
Kentucky Lost 145 Athletes
08/01/2025 09:00:31 AMThey gained 80 scholarship athletes, but they also lost a bunch of walk-ons. That is a big number.
Mitch Barnhart Advocates for 8-Game SEC Schedule
08/01/2025 08:56:20 AMA big reason why Barnhart is the biggest advocate of an 8-game SEC schedule is that every two years or so, Kentucky gets eight home games. That’s great for the piggy bank. He understands that TV will want nine SEC games. Barnhart did not indicate which way the powers that be are leaning, but the SEC has to reach a final decision soon on the 2026 schedule.
What’s a Successful Season for Kentucky Football?
08/01/2025 08:54:46 AMYou can’t expect Mitch Barnhart to provide a concrete answer. Mark Stoops doesn’t have to win X number of games to determine the season’s success. However, he believes this football team is “fully engaged and ready to go” against an unforgiving SEC slate. “Mark (Stoops) is really, really good at fighting through adversity.”
Six Teams will get Revenue-Sharing Dollars
08/01/2025 08:52:49 AMFootball, men’s basketball, women’s basketball, baseball, softball, and volleyball will reap the revenue-sharing benefits. In the case of a sport like baseball or softball, it can be in the form of additional dollars, not just money directly paid to student-athletes. They can add or subtract from that in the future.
Use it or Lose It
08/01/2025 08:50:17 AMRevenue-sharing money doesn’t roll over. This year’s rosters were funded by NIL dollars. They have $18.5 million to spend on the 25-26 rosters. Even though revenue-sharing wasn’t in place when they built the rosters, that $18.5 million must be spent this year. It cannot be put in the piggy bank for the future.
Barnhart won’t Share Revenue-Sharing Numbers
08/01/2025 08:44:32 AM“Not only do the fans want to know, but our opponents want to know.” He’s taking the cop-out route that others are taking, describing it as a competitive disadvantage. Said things are a fluid situation, so releasing set numbers doesn’t work for UK. “Hard numbers, I don’t know if it would do anybody any good.”
Kentucky Expands Rosters
08/01/2025 08:37:34 AMThe new roster limits from the House settlement are changing how many players can be a part of each team. There will be 80 total new scholarship players worth $5 million for the 2025-26 academic calendar year.
Mitch Believes in Stoops
08/01/2025 08:35:46 AMThe Kentucky AD said he attended a “spirited” practice yesterday. He’s excited to see how the Wildcats will turn it around this fall. “We’ve been there before. We will respond. I’m confident in this team, and our coaching staff is ready to go.”
Fueled by Coffee and Pastries
08/01/2025 08:29:11 AMAdam Luckett and I bobbed and weaved through Lexington traffic in time to get a donut and another cup of Joe in time to hear from Mitch Barnhart. Over/under 8.5 minutes on his opening statement that covers the success of every sport at Kentucky (I’m taking the over).
The Football Guys preview Media Day
08/01/2025 08:04:04 AMBefore hitting Lexington traffic, KSR’s football guys previewed Media Day from I-64. Who’s ready for some rev-share talk?!
Today’s Schedule
08/01/2025 07:56:42 AMHere is the Media Day schedule. Mitch Barnhart will get things rolling at 9:30 a.m. ET. The media will get to watch practice starting at 2 p.m.
- 9:30 a.m. – Mitch Barnhart news conference
- 10:00 a.m. – KSR The Show begins
- 10:20 a.m. – Bush Hamdan and Brad White news conference
- 11:00 a.m. – Team photo followed by interviews with assistant coaches, student-athletes available on field
- Noon – Conclusion of interviews
- 2:00 p.m. – Open Practice for Media
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