Mark Stoops and Jerry Claiborne Nearly Tied in NFL Draft Picks

Mark Stoops is recruiting and developing players at a level that’s higher, better, and more impactful than at any time in program history. This weekend’s NFL Draft should mark even more Wildcats’ journey into the professional ranks. Will Levis’ projections are all over the place and should make for excellent television drama. 

Other Wildcats could hear their names called in the three-day process. KSR will have you covered with Adam Luckett and Nick Roush on location to provide you with by-the-minute updates from Kansas City. In all, twenty-two (22) of Stoops’ players have been drafted since he took over the Wildcats’ program; that in itself has to be considered a major success. 

But — and there’s always a but — did you know that Jerry Claiborne had just one fewer (21) players drafted during his tenure in Lexington? There are some factors that must be considered when comparing the head coaches and eras. 

Claiborne was at the helm for eight seasons compared to Stoops, who’s going into year eleven. The Claiborne era of the draft consisted of twelve rounds compared to just seven in modern times. The number of draft picks utilized in this post is from during the head coach’s time at Kentucky and does not calculate other schools, or time after retirement in Claiborne’s case. 

Both coaches inherited a mess from prior regimes. Stoops and Claiborne were similarly tasked to navigate declining rosters, disgruntled fan bases, and overall program healthiness, or lack thereof, in the early years of their careers in Lexington. Let’s go further. 

Taking Over a Mess to Program Highs

Jerry Claiborne, who played for and is from Kentucky, took over a Wildcat program in 1982 that was under less-than-ideal conditions. Kentucky finished the season 3-8 and was under NCAA suspicion the year prior to his arrival. His first season resulted in a 0-10-1 record. Quite frankly, it’s a miracle he was able to get a tie. As stated earlier, the roster and overall morale of the program were minimal, to say the least. 

Claiborne was tasked with cleaning up the program both on and off the field while recruiting players that fit his specific, and intentional culture. Kentucky went 6-5-1 in year two, which has to be considered one of the biggest turnarounds in program history. Year three included a 9-3 record and a win over Wisconsin in the Hall of Fame Bowl. 

Stoops was in a similar position. The program hit an all-time low when a few thousand (if we’re being honest) fans watched their beloved Wildcats get bullied by Vanderbilt at then-Commonwealth Stadium in 2012. I was at that game. I stayed for one offensive series and a badly missed field goal attempt before rolling out. The season ended with the Cats sporting a 2-10 record and being athletically challenged to be kind. 

A change was made; enter Mark Stoops. His first season in 2013 included the nearly impossible task of facing SEC competition with a roster that would be stretched to compete at a high level in Conference USA. Again, just being honest. His first-year Cats went 2-10, which was followed up by a pair of 5-7 seasons.

Then came the turnaround that can still be felt to this day. His teams have gone 54-38 since 2016. While outsiders may chuckle at that number being considered a superlative, his win/loss total at Kentucky is both applauded and appreciated. Kentucky Football is unique; it just is. Some say it’s an outlier in the Southeastern Conference. I get it. The school has historically placed value on basketball more so than any other in the conference. However, Stoops is now the program’s all-time winningest coach and prospects remain as high as ever.  

From Hard Times to First-Round Picks 

Mark Stoops has coached three first-round picks compared to Claiborne’s one. George Adams was Claiborne’s highest and only player selected in the opening round after being picked No. 19 overall by the New York Giants. Comparatively, Stoops’ coached players Josh Allen (No. 7), Bud Dupree (No. 22), and Jamin Davis (No. 19) were taken in round one. Claiborne coached six running backs selected which makes sense given his dedication to the ground game. More reflection reveals that Stoops has sent five linebackers to the professional level; Claiborne registered three. Claiborne had four defensive linemen compared to three with Stoops. There is fuzzy math discerning the distinction or designation of DE/OLBs in both eras, so numbers may vary based on scheme. 

In terms of quantity per year, Stoops has the advantage over Claiborne. The 2019 Draft saw five Wildcats picked. 2021 was actually higher after six Cats heard their names called. Claiborne’s most players selected came in 1985, 1988, and 1989 when four Cats were taken off the board. 

“Old Kentucky Football” – I Get It 

I hear the saying “Old Kentucky Football” quite frequently. I used to take it personally and cringe when the words were spoken or typed. I got over it. I was — no, I am — a part of “Old Kentucky Football.” I completely understand the connotation that the Wildcats rarely achieved football success outside of a few runs prior to Mark Stoops taking over. 

Jerry Claiborne produced three winning seasons compared to Stoops’ six. Stoops’ teams won ten games on two occasions in the past five seasons. That’s an accomplishment that I take great pride in and often bring up when debating fellow SEC talking heads or argumentative friends. Claiborne’s highest win total was nine. But, teams played eleven regular season games back then compared to twelve today. There’s always a caveat when comparing eras. 

Coaches’ Personalities, Blessed and Cursed Times, and The Best of My Lifetime

Both Stoops and Claiborne transformed the Kentucky program into reflections of their personalities. Both men are/were tough, hard-working coaches that demanded physicality from their players and teams. Great leaders have a tendency to instill their personal traits into their athlete’s actions. Rich Brooks did the same. We’ll analyze his time in Lexington in a later post. I have great admiration, love, and respect for Rich Brooks. Kentucky Football has been blessed and cursed throughout the years. Certainly, Brooks, Claiborne, and Stoops are part of the blessed times. 

Throughout a short look back at recent history, there were players in the “Old Kentucky Football” era that excelled enough at UK to be considered to be professionals. I rarely reflect on my playing days, but when I do, I recall back to the Claiborne era because that is when my first-hand collections start. He recruited me and had enough faith in my talents to name me to be his starting quarterback. That is an honor I carry with me today. Little did I know that year, 1989, would be his last on the Kentucky or any sideline. I miss him. 

Back on point. Mark Stoops sits at 22 players drafted. Jerry Claiborne had 21. Stoops will certainly exceed that digit this week. But — again, there’s always a but — there were eleven additional players that were recruited and developed by Claiborne that graduated after the head coach retired. This list and comparisons could go in a myriad of ways. I tried to keep it simple. 

Mark Stoops is the best Kentucky Football coach of my lifetime. I’ve been a passionate UK fan since the 1970s and have studied its goings-on intently since that time frame. I have zero doubt about my opinion and I will argue with anyone that says otherwise. 

Mark Stoops has recruited and developed at a level that is unparalleled in program history. He’s also won football games. That’s the most important factor in this whole deal, right? Churning out players to the next level may be a priority at other programs, but winning while wearing the blue and white has been Stoops’ priority since day one. And, he’s done so. It seems that both worlds (Winning, NFL Picks) are beginning to come together. 

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What Does All This Mean? 

So, on this Tuesday before the NFL Draft, remember, there have been players taken in the program’s history whose names are long forgotten and that’s okay. I’m all about the here and now. I’m pulling for Will Levis, Chris Rodriguez Jr., Jordan Wright, and others to hear their names called this weekend. 

Just remember, there were Wildcats in the not-so-distant past that also cherished their specific time, tradition, and place in program history. They, along with all former Cats, are extremely proud of where Mark Stoops has taken our beloved football program and how he includes the has-beens more so than any before him. This is a proud week to be a Kentucky Wildcat. We are living in the “Good” times.