Kentucky focused on fundamentals during spring practice

Spring practice moves quickly in college football. Teams only get 15 practices working with their teams. Shortly after those practices conclude, programs take a break for the summer before offseason workouts get up and rolling again in June.

Therefore, things don’t tend to get super complex during spring practice. At Kentucky, Mark Stoops saw the offense and defense both go through installs but neither side got too complex.

“This spring was pretty drama free for the most part. It’s really a fundamental game and we want to get through the spring and be better players,” Stoops told the media on Wednesday. “Individually, each player, just get better. Fundamentally get better. Schemes are important — certainly with Liam [Coen] coming back — and offensively getting back into that and getting back into scheme. Very important but it’s still quite a few of the basics.

Throughout the spring, the defense was ahead of the offense as another coordinator change was made on top of dealing with a new quarterback and a bunch of injuries at tight end. Despite some growing pains, Kentucky made some strides on offense. But the most important development during spring camp was health.

In the past, UK has left the spring with at least one major injury. That was avoided in 2023.

“It feels good to wrap it up to be quite honest with you. It gets a bit long as I’ve mentioned before but our players have really bought in,” Stoops said. “Had a really good winter and this spring went good. No major injuries which always is important.”

The Wildcats still have some work to do in the offseason and must get more consistent, but the arrow is pointing up in Lexington. Labor Day weekend will be here soon.