Kentucky is looking for a new Kicker and a Backup Quarterback

by:Nick Roush•03/08/23•

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There’s a palpable buzz surrounding the University of Kentucky football program. Fans are fawning over each pass we’ll see from new quarterback Devin Leary this spring. Liam Coen and Mark Stoops have slightly different priorities as they seek to find important role players elsewhere.

Who is Devin Leary’s backup? That’s a question that currently does not have an answer. Kentucky must find one this spring. Two of Leary’s last three seasons were ended early by injury. Last fall Kentucky started three different quarterbacks as Will Levis dealt with injuries. The Cats need a reliable backup.

“I think it’s very important” said Kentucky head coach Mark Stoops. “I think it gets difficult at that position because we could still be out there repping for the quarterbacks, but you only have so many linemen and wideouts and defensive backs and so on. They definitely need the reps.”

Destin Wade and Kaiya Sheron are the top candidates for the QB2 position. The latter’s first career start is difficult to judge because it began with a disastrous turnover. Sheron completed 15 of 27 passes for 178 yards, two touchdowns and one interception in a 24-14 loss to South Carolina. Wade’s start was just as difficult to discern, facing the No. 1 defense in all of college football amid multiple Music City Bowl opt-outs. He had two turnovers while completing 53% of his passes and accumulating 121 total yards, more than 65% of UK’s total offense in the shut out loss.

“I thought it was very evident today that they looked better, and I’m not just saying that,” Stoops said Monday. “I think it’s important for us to try to find a clear-cut No. 2. Who is that guy, because today, and again we’ve got to go watch the film, we just got off the field, but from my naked eye, just watching it, they all had their moments, they looked really good at times.

“I thought they improved, you’re glad to see that… Now, we’ll see what happens in the next 14 practices.”

Kentucky Needs a Kicker

Matt Ruffolo was solid in 3.5 years as a starter. Entering the 2022 season he was one of the most precise placekickers in Kentucky football history. That goodwill eroded away thanks to operational errors from the snap, kick and the hold.

To solve Kentucky’s special teams problems, particularly in the kicking game, Mark Stoops hired Jay Boulware this offseason. Kentucky’s head coach does not expect Boulware to turn water into wine overnight.

“We’ve got some work to do. We’ve got a lot of work do, I think that was evident. We’re not going to fix that in one day. We’re going to work at it, we’re going to work at it. We worked at it hard today, we’ll put them under some pressure, and we’ll work it pretty good,” said Stoops.

“Coach Boulware is really working hard and has great intensity, great organization. We’re trying to light a fire under the entire group and that’s no different for snappers, holders, all that stuff.”