Kentucky's leading rusher in 2024 missed the 2025 opener for violating team rules

Kentucky escaped preseason training camp without any significant injuries. However, there was a notable absence in the backfield when the Wildcats took the field for the first time to play Toledo.

Jamarion Wilcox, Kentucky’s leading rusher last season, did not dress for the 2025 home opener. Wilcox had already slipped to fourth on the running back depth chart with the addition of transfer portal help. Still, it was a surprise to see Wilcox unavailable against the Rockets after he had played in 12 games and rushed for a team-high 590 yards the previous season.

After the game, Mark Stoops said Wilcox was out for a violation of team rules, leaving fans to wonder how last year’s fan-favorite running back did not dress for Week 1. We may learn more when Stoops speaks again in his Monday press conference.

Even without Wilcox, Kentucky rushed for 220 yards in the win. Newcomers Dante Dowdell and Seth McGowan led the way, rushing for 129 and 78 yards, with one touchdown each.

“He’s really improved and gotten better.”

It was only a month ago when Stoops said Wilcox hadn’t flinched in the offseason workouts leading up to fall camp.

“Well, I think we all saw the talent when he was running the football,” Stoops said at the end of July. “I think we all understand competition and depth drives a lot of things, right? And so, he hasn’t flinched. He’s kind of just gone through the process. And that’s all you can ask of any young man.”

Stoops added, “He’s really improved and gotten better. And he’s one — that kind of mentality that I’ve talked about, kind of just put his head down, has been quiet, just been working. He’s a guy who just physically is getting better, and there are good players around him, and so there’s good depth there.”

Wilcox burst onto the scene in Lexington last season, showing the explosiveness that made him one of Kentucky’s most dynamic playmakers. In 2024, he saw action in all 12 games, starting four and leading the team in rushing yards with 590 on 92 carries, an impressive 6.6 yards per touch. He also caught seven passes for 24 yards and two touchdowns. His best stretch was back-to-back 100-yard games against Tennessee and Murray State.

Kentucky did not need him against Toledo, but Wilcox has a ton of potential that’s still untapped.