One week from today Kentucky will release the first depth chart of the 2018 season.  Normally an SEC Media Days tradition, this year the UK Media Guide did not feature a depth chart.  Instead of waiting another week, let’s see what the depth chart will probably look like before the Cats take on Central Michigan.

OFFENSE

Quarterback

Terry Wilson
Gunnar Hoak

Both are still expected to play in the opener, but after Wilson stepped up in Saturday’s scrimmage, the playmaking athlete will likely be the first to take snaps under center on September 1.

Running Back

Benny Snell
A.J. Rose OR Sihiem King

An excellent spring and summer from A.J. Rose has given Eddie Gran enough confidence to make Rose the No. 2 back behind Benny Snell, although King will still likely be used situationally.  Kavosiey Smoke will play sparingly before he reaches the four-game limit for redshirts.

Wide Receiver (X)

Dorian Baker
Ahmad Wagner

Wide Receiver (Y)

David Bouvier
Akeem Hayes

These two receivers have earned plenty of preseason praise from the practice fields.  Gran described Bouvier as the camp’s MVP, while the tiny freshman (5’8″) has captured the attention of his peers.

Wide Receiver (F)

Lynn Bowden
Clevan Thoms

Wide Receiver (Z)

Tavin Richardson
Isaiah Epps OR Josh Ali

Richardson emerged as one of the most consistent wide receivers on the roster in the second half of the 2017 season after Dorian Baker was forced to miss an entire year.  Behind him there are a pair of deep-play threats who must prove they are the preferred deep-ball targets.

Tight End

C.J. Conrad
Justin Rigg

Kentucky will run a lot of sets featuring the two tight ends, with Conrad split out as a wide receiver more than ever before during his Kentucky tenure.  The highly-touted freshmen, Keaton Upshaw and Brenden Bates, should also see some action, although at least one will be restricted to just four games.

Left Tackle

Landon Young
Naasir Watkins

U.S. Army All-American Darrian Kinnard has been an excellent addition, but the Cats will contain him to just four games to keep his redshirt status.

Left Guard

Logan Stenberg
Luke Fortner

Center

Drake Jackson
Mason Wolfe

Right Guard

Bunchy Stallings
Sebastien Dolcine OR Austin Dotson

Right Tackle

“Big” George Asafo-Adjei
E.J. Price

 DEFENSE

Sam Linebacker

Jamar “Boogie” Watson
Jordan Wright

Josh Allen’s former position, he flipped sides with Boogie to get into more pass rushing situations on third down.

Defensive Tackle

Adrian Middleton
Phil Hoskins

Nose Guard

Quinton Bohanna
Tymere DuBose OR Marquan McCall

If McCall gets into playing shape, he could knock the senior out of the rotation.

Defensive End

T.J. Carter
OR Calvin Taylor Jr.

Jack Linebacker

Josh Allen
Kengera Daniel OR Chris Whittaker

Will Linebacker

Jordan Jones
Jamin Davis, DeAndre Square OR Chris Oats

No position brings more uncertainty than the weak-inside linebacker.  Jones returned from his shoulder injury, only to deal with another minor ankle injury in preseason camp.  Eli Brown would have stepped in seamlessly, but he opted to transfer closer to home in the offseason.  There are three talented underclassmen who can play the position, but Stoops lamented the depth at the position following Saturday’s scrimmage.

Mike Linebacker

Kash Daniel
Chris Oats

Cornerback

Derrick Baity
Jordan Griffin

Cornerback

Lonnie Johnson
OR Chris Westry

You must have three good cornerbacks to play in the SEC.  Lonnie Johnson has first dibs, but Westry will still see plenty of playing time.

Nickelback

Jordan Griffin
OR Yusuf Corker, Davonte Robinson OR Mike Edwards

None of the coaches have tipped their hat as to who will play the important position.  Edwards came up often in run support last season, but when he did the Cats struggled at safety.  My money is on Griffin as the first to fill the spot, but the nickel will probably feature a deep rotation.

Strong Safety

Mike Edwards
Tyrell Ajian OR Yusuf Corker

Free Safety

Darius West
Davonte Robinson

SPECIALISTS

Kickoff

Grant McKinniss

The four-star punter recruit struggled as a freshman and redshirted last season.  The Australian will probably get all the punting reps, but McKinniss has carved out some time as a kickoff specialist.

Placekicker

Miles Butler

Freshman Chance Poore has a big leg, but Butler has proved to be the most consistent kicker.  Butler is money from 45 yards in, but the Cats probably won’t try as many long balls this year.

Punt Return

David Bouvier
Lynn Bowden OR Mike Edwards

Bowden is not as comfortable catching punts as Bouvier is.  Ball security is at a premium on punt returns so they’ll roll with the most reliable option.

Kickoff Return

Lynn Bowden
Sihiem King

Longsnapper

Tristan Yeomans will also be the holder.

Punter

Max Duffy

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