Seth McGowan 'will be fine', Kendrick Law is '100 percent' as Kentucky shifts into game prep

Kentucky loaded up in the transfer portal this offseason. There was a big need across the offense. The offensive line rebuild has gotten most of the attention but the Wildcats needed a lot of help at the skill talent positions. Tailback Seth McGowan and wide receiver Kendrick Law quickly emerged as potential go-to guys for this unit over the summer.

The coaching staff and players gushed about McGowan during talking season. Offensive coordinator Bush Hamdan told fans at the Lexington Kickoff Luncheon that much of the passing game will run through Law. The former blue-chip recruits who began their college football journeys at blue blood programs Oklahoma and Alabama were expected to carry a heavy load for the Cats this season.

Unfortunately, the injury bug arrived in fall camp.

Kendrick Law was knocked out of practice early and did not fully participate in both open practices earlier this month. Seth McGowan missed both scrimmages. Will the expected starters be out on the field when Toledo rolls into town on Labor Day weekend?

Kentucky head coach Mark Stoops addressed both injury situations after the Greater Louisville UK Alumni 2025 Wildcat Kickoff Luncheon at Churchill Downs on Monday.

“He will be fine. He will be fine by the time we play the game,” Stoops said about McGowan. “I didn’t give any updates on injuries today but he will be alright.”

“He’s been 100 percent back from his injury that he had earlier in camp and he’s looked really good and had a nice scrimmage on Saturday,” Stoops said about Law. “So he’s playing well.”

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Kendrick Law returned to practice recently after an extended absence and appears read to roll as UK shifts into game prep for Toledo later this week. It’s a different story with Seth McGowan but the program remains optimistic that the tailback will be in the lineup in Week 1.

Kentucky has stayed largely healthy throughout the preseason. The Cats have Law back on the practice field and hope to have McGowan suited up sooner rather than later.

Luckett’s Scouting Notebook: Seth McGowan

Over at KSR+, I put together scouting write-ups on each of Kentucky’s transfer additions from the offseason after watching film and collecting data. This is my breakdown of Seth McGowan.

A top-200 prospect and a top-25 player in Texas in the 2020 high school recruiting cycle. The Mesquite (Texas) Poteet rushed for over 3,700 yards and 45 touchdowns during his prep career. McGowan spent one season at Oklahoma when he appeared in seven games, rushed for 370 yards, recorded 201 receiving yards, and scored four touchdowns. Off-field arrest led to some time off and multiple years spent in junior college. Re-emerged at New Mexico State in 2024 where he rushed for 838 yards and chipped in 23 receptions while scoring six total touchdowns.

McGowan is a downhill runner who does a good job of making one cut and finding daylight. The tailback does not have breakaway speed and can be chased down. Does a good job keeping his shoulders square to the line of scrimmage and getting vertical. This leads to some broken tackles (67 missed tackles forced on 210 career carries) and splash runs (17.1% explosive run rate). Flashes contact balance on film. Is a real weapon as a receiver on screens, wheels, and swings out of the backfield. Runs high and can take some shots at the second level. Possesses good leg drive that can create yards after contact.

McGowan is an experienced tailback (1,193 career rushing yards on 5.7 yards per rush, 36 receptions, and 10 total touchdowns) with good size who fits Kentucky’s downhill run scheme. The transfer will also give the offense a receiving option out of the backfield that likely separates him from the rest of the room.

Luckett’s Scouting Notebook: Kendrick Law

The former top-100 recruit spent three seasons at Alabama. Law was never a top receiver for the Crimson Tide but was always part of the rotation playing inside and out. Brings kick return experience to Lexington. Projects to play the slot position.

Law is a wideout with a rocked-up build. Could use improvement getting in and out of breaks. Was a factor for the Tide in the jet sweep game and looks comfortable with the ball in his hands as runner. Shows some YAC creation out of the short passing game due to strength and ability to run through tackles. North/south runner in the open field. Owns absolute tenacity as a blocker and can bury defensive backs.

True slot receiver with a physical play style. Run-and-catch wideout who can consistently turn short passes into efficient gains.

Luckett’s Scouting Notebook: What Kentucky added to roster via the transfer portal