6 Reasons to be Optimistic about Kentucky Football in 2024
Gloom, despair and agony. Kentucky football fans have plenty of reasons to be down at the start of the new year.
The 2023 season ended with whimper, again. After logging a pair of 10-win seasons during a four-year stretch, the Cats logged consecutive 7-win campaigns. Kentucky is 10-12 against Power Five foes over the last two years and things aren’t getting any easier.
The new 12-team CFB Playoff era begins in 2024 without divisions in the SEC and two new teams, Oklahoma and Texas. The Wildcats will travel to Austin to play a CFB Playoff team. A road trip to an 11-win Ole Miss is on the table, as well as a week two date against Georgia, a program with one loss in three years. Oh, and Tennessee might have upgraded at quarterback with Nico Iamaleava.
It’s easy to be a Debbie Downer at the dawn of 2024, but the offseason is no time to be pessimistic. Allow me to share a few reasons why you should be excited to watch the Wildcats in Mark Stoops’ 12th season.
Deone Walker
I mean, come on. Just look at the guy. He makes Brad White look like a defensive coordinator for ants.
“Generational talent” has become an overused phrase, but there’s never been another Deone Walker at Kentucky. The size, speed and motor he plays with are unprecedented. How he plays as many snaps at as many different positions at his size, it’s truly unfathomable. He’s a future Pro Bowler and an All-American candidate next fall.
Kentucky Might have the Best Rush Defense in College Football
The Wildcats’ rush defense ranked 15th in 2023, allowing 3.27 yards per carry. Everyone on the front seven is coming back, except for Trevin Wallace. He’s being replaced by Jamon Dumas-Johnson, arguably the best run-stuffing inside linebacker in the SEC. The other guy in the conversation with Pop is D’Eryk Jackson. Those guys are playing behind a defensive line that is filled with 5th and 6th-year players, including JJ Weaver.
This will be the oldest, deepest and most talented front seven I’ve ever seen at Kentucky and they’re entering the 2024 campaign off an 8-sack performance against Clemson. That alone does not make a great defense, but it’s a good start.
A Wide Receiver Coaching Kentucky’s Wide Receivers
Kentucky recruited the talent at wide receiver without any of the infrastructure. Barion Brown and Dane Key entered a wide receiver room that did not have upperclassmen. They were coached by a former QB that was promoted from an analyst role after his predecessor got into legal trouble. Kentucky’s rising young stars needed guidance and leadership. They’ll finally get it in 2024.
Daikiel Shorts is a young guy that played the position. Not only is he relatable, he has proven that he can put a player in the league. Kentucky’s coaches are betting on Shorts to unlock this room’s potential by teaching them habits to be consistent playmakers. A little discipline can go a long way.
Kentucky has Won 5 Straight Governor’s Cups
This is a friendly reminder that next year you’ll need TWO HANDS to count the wins in Kentucky’s current streak.
The QB Run Game Returns
Liam Coen was initially hesitant to use Will Levis in the run game. Once he realized how valuable the QB running game is in college football, he turned Levis loose, paving the way for the most productive Kentucky offense in more than a decade.
Ray Davis‘ explosiveness covered up some of the running game’s problems. Without a dominant offensive line, those problems probably aren’t going away in 2024. Brock Vandagriff can mitigate some of them with his legs.
After incorrectly forecasting what Devin Leary would do in Lexington, it’s fair to be skeptical of Vandagriff entering the 2024 season. One thing we do know with certainty: Vandagriff has the QB run game in his bag. Not only can he can use his legs to escape pressure, it will put defenses on their heels and give Kentucky an advantage that was non-existent last fall.
Kentucky has Proven Coaches
Even though the Wildcats fell short of expectations over the last two seasons, the guys in charge have a track record that should give the Big Blue Nation confidence.
Mark Stoops has more wins than any other coach in Kentucky football history. That’s worth something.
Kentucky did not recruit top 25 classes before Vince Marrow arrived. It’s now a regular occurrence, ensuring the roster is a top 25 roster. They have that.
Kentucky also has an offensive play-caller with NFL experience that is a magnet for talent. It took him a little bit to figure it out in 2021, then he adjusted. He’s capable of making adjustments to move forward and he has the tools to execute the plan.
A porous defense was a problem for decades. Brad White has consistently produced a top 25 unit. They fell short last fall, particularly in the pass defense and on third down. Even his harshest critics can understand that’s more of an outlier than the norm.
The Kentucky coaching combination is one of the best in the SEC. Now is the time to prove it.
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