What We’ve Learned About the 2023 Kentucky Football Team From Spring Practice  

On3 imageby:Freddie Maggard04/08/23

Kentucky football spring practice is winding down. This brings me to ask, what exactly have we learned and how can that translate to on-field success in the 2023 season? The answer is not a whole heck of a lot. Let’s get into it. 

Liam Coen Returns to the Kentucky Offense

First and foremost, the most overbearing occurrence for the offense during spring practice is that Liam Coen is back. That’s the story. It feels that the Big Blue Nation’s trust in the play caller suffices when projecting the 2023 offense. I know that’s how I feel. 

Second, quarterback Devin Leary very much looks the part of a signal caller that can effectively operate the Coen system. He’s accurate, smart, and has an adequate arm to make all the throws demanded by the coordinator. However, Leary needs to clean up his RPO reads which should come with repetitions during the summer and fall camp as well as film study. Veterans typically are capable of making adjustments from study as much as on-field routine. 

In all, I feel that Leary may be more suited to run Coen’s system than Will Levis was due to his short to intermediate accuracy and anticipation in throwing lanes. He lacks Levis’ physical traits such as arm strength and power running ability. THE most important goal for the Cats is to keep Leary healthy for 13-games this fall which leads me into my second point. 

Kentucky offensive lineman Jeremy Flax receives instruction at an open practice
Photo by Aaron Perkins | Kentucky Sports Radio

Be slow to judge the offensive line. Yes, that group needs, no demands, vast improvement from last season. There’s no argument there. But, as seen in post-practice notes, some runs that looked to be stuffed at the line of scrimmage were actually missed reads in the RPO game by the quarterbacks. Jager Burton‘s move to center will prove beneficial. Burton could use the same move that Luke Fortner parlayed into a NFL future. Eli Cox returned to his natural spot at guard. Fellow guard Kenneth Horsey is a super-senior that load managed during spring ball. Alabama transfer Tanner Bowles is also a guard that has been forced to play TE. He will factor somewhere. A low-key spring practice story is Marques Cox at left tackle. He’s locked down the spot and has brought on a sense of steadiness at the valuable position. 

The key for the Big Blue Wall to return to form mainly lies in consistency at right tackle and adding depth. Jeremy Flax has flashed at times at right tackle but needs to up his consistency. Same with Deondre Buford. Additionally, Kentucky may need to hit the Portal to boost both interior and edge depth in order to create competition in fall camp and to get back to the Big Blue Wall’s roots of a true, 9-man rotation. There have been OL recruiting hits and misses that has led to this need. 

Another factor that’s limiting, or giving the perception of ineffectiveness in the run game, is that UK is operating spring practice with just two healthy tight ends. That matters, a lot. Coen is a TE heavy play caller in both the run and pass game. The Cats’ best blocking tight ends are no-go’s in March and April. Brenden Bates, Jordan Dingle, and Josh Kattus are not practicing due to injury/recovery. Their presence will give the run-game a needed boost which in turn will enhance play action passing. 

Lastly, two things. Ray Davis is who we thought he was. He had little to prove in spring ball. RB depth is at a premium if the room stays intact. There could be Portal exits. WR’s Dane Key and Barion Brown are special. They proved that as rookies. Both have gained weight and strength while maintaining their speed and ability to cut in routes. Tayvion Robinson needs to step up and be a leader. He just does. Competition at the slot position will remain through fall camp. UK really likes its receiver room. So do I. 

Kentucky football spring practice
Aaron Perkins | Kentucky Sports Radio

The Kentucky Defense is Steady as a Rock

Brad White consistently produces Top 5 SEC defenses. That’s what he does on an annual basis. There’s no logic or prognostication that differs from that trend from spring practice or projection for the 2023 season. Names and faces change, but the results have mostly remained the same. 

The safety/nickel group is in good, no excellent, hands. Brad White lauded the combination of Zion Childress, Jalen Geiger, Jordan Lovett, Andru Phillips (when kicked inside), and Alex Afari. True freshman Ty Bryant could play if necessary. Vito Tisdale’s dismissal was a popular social media story, but had very little to do with the third level’s on-field acumen. 

The defensive line is a team strength. Led by Deone Walker, the Cats are stout up front. Keeshawn Silver has exceeded early expectations and there is a plethora of rotational defenders that should ensure that UK is fresh and forceful in the front seven for sixty minutes. Walker could, and I say could again, be an all-timer in the making. He’s special and fun to watch.  

deone walker mark stoops
UK Athletics

Playing behind the defensive line is a talented group of linebackers. Led by JJ Weaver on the edge, the second level also has talented starters in Trevin Wallace and D’Eryk Jackson. That duo waited their turn and their time is now. I actually expect inside linebacker play to improve in 2023. ILB depth was tested in spring and should be tracked in fall camp. The edge doesn’t have the same issue. Keaten Wade is the next and the same could be said about Tyreese Fearbry and Noah Matthews.

The only concern about the UK defense lies at cornerback. Concern is a strong word; perhaps interesting storyline would have been a more applicable words there. Andru Phillips has surfaced along with transfers JQ Hardaway and Jantzen Dunn. Jordan Robinson and Maxwell Hairston are also a names to track. Brad White runs a great deal of zone coverage in which corners can be assisted by scheme. This, coupled with Kentucky’s effectiveness and depth at the safety/nickel spots along with athletic linebackers that can drop into coverage can mask any CB deficiencies. 

Wait and See with Kentucky Special Teams

Improvement was necessary. No, improvement was mandatory. Enter coordinator Jay Boulware. His energy and passion for the third phase has been a refreshing addition. It now needs to translate to on-field efficacy. There is competition at kicker and punter. Super-senior Chance Poore’s name has surfaced all over the place. It’s likely that we won’t know the starters until fall camp. The third phase’s overall operation and manning needed a major overhaul. It appears that this is happening but it’s a wait and see situation. 

What Does All This Mean? 

Quite honestly, I’m not sure we actually learned a lot during spring practice. It seems that pre-spring practice predictions have been somewhat confirmed. The most important thing that can happen to complete the series of practices is to finish with no major injuries. The rest can be sorted out through film study, walk-throughs, summer sessions, and transfer portal acquisitions. 

Happy Easter. 

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2024-03-28