With Proven Leaders, Kentucky Can Be Specific with Spring Practice

Spring practice focus can vary depending on current personnel. Kentucky has utilized spring drills for a quarterback competition and a period of drills to identify starters in all three phases. With proven entities littering the depth chart, this spring hits different. 

Quarterback Will Levis is a rising star and is running unopposed at the position. Levis is the undeniable offensive leader. He’s joined by a veteran group of tight ends including the return of potential star Keaton Upshaw and by 1000-yard rusher Chris Rodriguez Jr. Linebackers DeAndre Square and Jacquez Jones are veteran leaders of Brad White’s defense. Specialists Colin Goodfellow and Mark Ruffolo return for stability in the kicking game. With the core leadership in place, Mark Stoops can focus on specific personnel questions of his team in March and April. Let’s take a look at those areas of concentration.

OFFENSIVE SCHEME

Liam Coen was heavily influenced by Sean McVay. New offensive coordinator Rich Scangarello hails from the Kyle Shanahan tree. There are similarities between the Rams and 49’ers but there are also differences. Scangarello is putting his unique twist on the Cat’s offense which includes the addition of a fullback and more of a reliance on the physical run-game. UK’s offense will look familiar, but the new coordinator will implement some changes.

OFFENSIVE TACKLE

Zach Yenser has been a refreshing addition to Stoops’ coaching staff. Early returns from spring practice have mentioned that Kentucky will return to its Big Blue Wall roots by playing multiple offensive linemen. This was not the case in 2021 which led to UK facing a serious personnel question at tackle. 

The Wildcats are deep on the interior and inexperienced on the edge. Eli Cox’s move to center is proving to be a positive personnel occurrence. Multi-year starting guard Kenneth Horsey is staying on the inside and is joined by Auburn transfer Tayshawn Manning.  Jager Burton, John Young, and Quintin Wilson form a formidable collection on the inside. That group will rotate in games which will lead to a fresh unit in the fourth quarter. Sound familiar? 

Tackle is another issue. RT Jeremy Flax needs to take the next step and solidify his role as a starter. Redshirt freshman David Wohlabaugh will also see the field in 2022. The most pressing offensive question mark is at left tackle. Redshirt sophomore DeAndre Buford and true freshman Kiyaunta Goodwin are getting reps with the first and second teams. This duo obviously lacks game experience which brings on a level of anxiety going into the 2022 season. Buford has played in two games and Goodwin is an early enrollee rookie. The Portal is an option. But in terms of spring practice, left tackle is a focal point for the Wildcat’s offense. Protecting Will Levis’ blindside is of the utmost importance.

WIDE RECEIVER

Wan’Dale Robinson and Josh Ali combined for 145 of UK’s 242 receptions in 2021. Replacing 60% of receiving production is a difficult proposition. Virginia Tech transfer Tayvion Robinson is the most productive pass catcher in the room. Robinson recorded 113 catches for 1555-yards, and five touchdowns during his Hokie career. DeMarcus Harris caught 14 passes a year ago and will be counted on to take the proverbial next step. Fellow veterans Clevan Thomas, Tae Tae Crumes, Earnest Sanders IV, and Rahsaan Lewis will also get an opportunity to earn a spot in the rotation this spring. A talented collection of youthful receivers is earning positive reviews. This includes Chris Lewis, Dane Key, Dekel Crowdus, and Chauncey Magwood. With more pass catchers arriving this summer, six to seven WRs must separate from the pack in order to form a reliable group of targets for Will Levis.

SECONDARY

UK is deep and talented on the defense’s first and second levels. While the Cats lost two defensive linemen to the NFL, there are plenty of options that should construct a skilled group of rotational talent within the two-deep. Linebacker is the same. Kentucky returns all of its starting backers as well as four defenders with extended game experience. The secondary is the unit with the most questions. This mainly deals with depth at safety and the nickel/medium positions which were amplified following the Vito Tisdale injury. 

Safeties Tyrell Ajian and Jalen Geiger have all but locked down starting roles. However, depth is a demanding concern behind that duo. Word surfaced that safety Taj Dodson is recovering from an injury and not participating in spring drills. Coach Frank Buffano’s spring focus is identifying additional contributors in the third level.  The Nickel/Medium spot was most likely going to be manned by Tisdale. Joel Williams is the next man up. Williams is a highly talented defensive back that has been inconsistent during his stay in Lexington. The best case scenario is for Williams to secure a starting role. 

Cornerback Carrington Valentine started twelve games in 2021. He finished the season with 61 tackles, 1 sack, 1.5 tackles for loss, and five pass breakups. Valentine must stack up a strong spring and become the Cat’s lockdown corner. Andru Phillips has been Valentine’s running mate during spring drills.  His development is vital. Simply stated, UK needs Phillips to stamp his name in the starting rotation. The two names to watch for in the spring game is Andru Phillips and Joel Williams.

What does all of this mean?

Teams are better when the best players are also leaders. Kentucky checks that box. This is Will Levis and DeAndre Square’s team. Those two are joined by veterans at key positions all over the football field. However, there are also personnel question marks. Those are at offensive tackle, receiver, cornerback, and nickel/medium. This may sound like a great deal of unknowns, but UK is in much better shape this spring than in recent history. 

“When you got a quarterback you have a chance.” This old football phrase is applicable for the 2022 Wildcats. UK’s two-deep is littered with experienced, high-producing veterans. This gives Stoops the advantage of being specific instead of widespread with his team’s focus during spring practice.