Ray Davis is having banner season for Kentucky

After seven games, there are a lot of criticisms surrounding the Kentucky football program. Many supporters of the program are upset with some recent comments by Mark Stoops. The defense has allowed 89 points in the last two games. Devin Leary is struggling at quarterback as another passing game in Lexington has been a disappointment.

A huge five games remain on the schedule after the bye week. Kentucky (5-2, 2-2) could sink or swim. We should learn a lot about the current status of this program when the Wildcats host Tennessee for a night kickoff at Kroger Field on Oct. 28. But there is some legitimate good surrounding this program.

Deone Walker is putting together a potential All-American campaign at defensive tackle. The offensive line looks much improved and has developed some depth as Zach Yenser‘s group has had to deal with injuries. The offense also might have the best tailback in the SEC.

To say Vanderbilt transfer Ray Davis has been a revelation for the Kentucky offense would be an understatement.

Ray Davis Highlights from the first half of the season:

653 Rush Yards (9th NCAA), 108.8 Rush YPG (11th in NCAA), 8 Rush TD (4th in NCAA), 12 Total TD (1st in NCAA) pic.twitter.com/fSoBUMJR8Z

— Daniel Hager (@DanielHagerKSR) October 9, 2023

The redshirt senior leads the conference in rushing yards (781), rushing touchdowns (eight), rushes of 20-plus yards (eight), and rushes of 30-plus yards (six). After seven weeks, Davis and Tennessee tailback Jaylen Wright (80 carries, 571 yards) should be considered the favorites to land first-team All-SEC honors at the end of the season.

In four league games, Davis has posted 545 yards on 7.0 yards per rush with five rushing touchdowns. The 216-pound tailback also has added three receiving touchdowns during conference play. In many ways, No. 1 is the Kentucky offense.

In the Mark Stoops era, we’ve seen Benny Snell Jr., Lynn Bowden Jr., and Chris Rodriguez Jr. each become 1,000-yard rushers. Snell owns the program record for career rushing yards (3,873), and Moe Williams owns the single season record (1,600). Ray Davis is currently on a 1,450-yard pace. If the SEC transfer gets hot, he might have a chance to chase down Williams’ record.

The tailback enters the bye week with 13 total touchdowns. Davis is only seven away from breaking the non-QB record of 19 set by Snell in 2017. Kentucky’s new RB1 is having a banner season.

Can Ray Davis lead this Kentucky team to more victories after the bye week? Don’t count him out.