Silly and Serious Things We Learned at Kentucky Football Media Day

For almost three hours, KSR navigated through an avalanche of information at Kentucky Football Media Day. No need to fret. We’re here to pass along what you need to know, and some of the sillier things about these Wildcats that will surely bring a smile to your face.

One Married Kentucky Wildcat Hates Cicadas

The caricature of an SEC jock does not apply to everyone in this Kentucky football locker room. Washington State transfer David Gusta is among the married men on this team. The defensive tackle revealed that he took his wife to Domino’s for their first date. He also had his first run-in with cicadas this summer in Kentucky, and he bleeping hates them. It probably won’t be the last time you hear an expletive from the talented D-Tackle this fall.

Josh Braun doesn’t cut his hair during the season

Josh Braun is another married man on this year’s team and he’s often tasked with blocking David Gusta. It’s easier said than done.

“He’s really twitchy. He’s got a great get-off,” said Braun. “Me and Jager (Burton) talk about this all the time. He’s one of the few defensive linemen that we’ve gone up against that not only do you have to worry about his speed, but you have to worry about his power. Usually, you have one or the other, especially with interior defensive linemen. He walks the line between the two finely. I think he does a great job of using his God-given leverage to his advantage.”

Braun was sporting a buzz-cut with a long beard for the start of fall camp. He took a lot off the top because he’s superstitious. The offensive guard doesn’t cut his hair during the season.

Bunchy Stallings is Back on the Kentucky Football Team

My eyes weren’t deceived when I saw Bunchy Stallings rocking a coach’s polo and khakis at Kroger Field. Like Mike Hartline and Yusuf Corker, he’s one of a few former players who are on Mark Stoops’ staff this fall. He will serve as a graduate assistant this fall, helping with the defensive line. Bunchy was a big part of the Big Blue Wall’s success, earning First Team All-American honors in 2018.

Bunchy Stallings lives on a healthy diet of pancakes for breakfast, lunch and dinner pic.twitter.com/4jkOkPZENl

— Nick Roush (@RoushKSR) September 9, 2018

Brad White Believes in the 2024 Recruiting Class

Most of the attention will be on the newcomers, and rightfully so. They will set the floor, but the ceiling will be determined by the second-year players.

“Last year’s (recruiting) class has a chance to be one of the most impactful defensive classes we’ve ever had come through this program,” said White.

Guys like Quay’sheed Scott, Terhyon Nichols, Jerod Smith, and all of the other Smiths, have exceptional talent and a little bit of experience under their belt. It’s time for them to take the next step, and they have Brad White’s full support during this important growth process in fall camp.

Cutter Boley Put on 20 Pounds

Zach Calzada will receive approximately 75% of the first team reps throughout fall camp. Bush Hamdan still believes Cutter Boley has a bright future, and he’s pleased with the second-year player’s progress. He no longer looks like a wiry freshman after Boley put on 20 pounds this offseason.

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Hardley Gilmore only spent two weeks at Nebraska Spring Practice

It was an eventful offseason for Hardley Gilmore. Following his freshman season, the talented wide receiver was a late addition to the transfer portal. He transferred to Nebraska and told KSR that he only spent two weeks at Spring Practice before his change of heart led him back to Lexington.

“Everybody here is genuine. I love being a Wildcat. I was here coming out of high school, and I came here at 16. It wasn’t just a football team to me, it was a family,” Gilmore said.

There are Two Clear Top Choices at RB

Jamarion Wilcox became a popular player around the Kentucky football fanbase after BBN saw flashes of his tenacity on the field. Those flashes of greatness were limited. Instead of rolling the dice, Kentucky brought in a pair of players from the transfer portal. When Bush Hamdan was asked about the running game, Wilcox was mentioned after Jason Patterson, Dante Dowdell, and Seth McGowan.

“I think it will start with these two big backs we brought in. Certainly from a physicality standpoint, I think when you guys come tomorrow, you’ll see they’re big, thick, strong backs,” said the Kentucky play-caller.

The Most Fascinating Players on the Team are from NMSU

Vanderbilt was the surprise story of the SEC in 2024 after the Commodores found surprising success, all thanks to some imports from New Mexico State. This year, Kentucky has a pair of former Aggies who are bringing unique stories from Las Cruses to Lexington.

You’ve heard from Shiyazh Pete before. Simply put, they don’t make many like him. Seth McGowan overcame self-inflicted obstacles to get to Kentucky. He’s open and honest about his troubled past and how he used those experiences to become a better person. There’s so much to unpack from his candid conversation with KSR. Stay tuned. We’ll be sharing his story and many others from Kentucky Football Media Day in the coming days.