Stevie Johnson weighs in on the future of Kentucky football -- and wants to be a part of it

An all-time Kentucky Wildcat knows the current era in Lexington may be coming to an end sooner rather than later, appreciating Mark Stoops for what he’s done and the new standard he’s set for the program. If a change is made, though, Stevie Johnson of “Stevie Got Loose” fame is ready to pitch in and make sure the new head coach uses bowl eligibility as the floor, not the ceiling — closer to the 10-win product in two of four years we saw from 2018-21, not what we’ve seen in back-to-back campaigns in 2024 and 2025.

Johnson’s take? Appreciate Stoops’ past and invest in the future so you can keep knocking down barriers in Lexington. He’s ready to help no matter what.

“Stoops laid a blueprint that changed the vibe of Kentucky football. Now it’s about using every resource to keep it there and push higher,” Johnson wrote. “Would love the opportunity to be back at UK pouring into the guys — with my Kentucky partners. If there’s a lane, my line’s open.”

Stoops laid a blueprint that changed the vibe of Kentucky football.

Now it’s about using every resource to keep it there and push higher.

Would love the opportunity to be back at UK pouring into the guys — with my Kentucky partners.

If there’s a lane, my line’s open.📞💙 #BBN
— 𝕊𝕥𝕖𝕧𝕚𝕖 Styles (@StevieJohnson13) November 30, 2025

Johnson was a First-Team All-SEC wide receiver in Lexington, recording 12 catches for 159 yards and a touchdown in his first season in 2006, followed by his historic senior run that included 61 receptions for 1,052 yards and 13 touchdowns to become the fourth player in school history to hit the 1,000-yard mark while finishing second on the school’s single-season touchdown list.

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Drafted in 2008, he went on to rack up 4,764 career yards and 34 touchdowns in the NFL — including three 1,000-yard seasons with the Buffalo Bills from 2010-2012.

Now, is it time for an iconic Wildcat with some of the program’s biggest moments — namely three game-winning scores against Louisville, LSU and Florida State — to come home? Who will be the head coach in Lexington if that happens?

We should know more about all of that shortly. Until then, enjoy Stevie Johnson highlights in the meantime, because why not?