Worth The Price Of Admission: Top Players Kentucky Will Face In 2021

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I often get calls or texts asking which home game will be the most fun to attend. Without hesitation, I answer Missouri due to the massive ramifications for both programs. But recently I was asked which opposing SEC players I am most excited to see at Kroger Field in 2021. Great question. Let’s take a deeper look, shall we?

Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports

Missouri – Connor Bazelak

Quarterback Connor Bazelak is a rising star in the Southeastern Conference. His college football debut produced a 29/34 outing for 406 yards in Mizzou’s 45-41 win over LSU last season. Bazelak has the “it” factor which combines physical attributes with confidence and a sense of calmness under distress that have me sky high on the former UK recruit. The 6’3, 212-pound quarterback finished fourth in the SEC after completing 67.3% of his passes for 2,366 yards and 7 touchdowns in 2020.

His numbers against the Cats weren’t spectacular a year ago in Columbia. Bazelak completed 21 of 30 for 201 yards and didn’t throw an interception or touchdown pass; however, it was his efficiency on money downs that impressed me the most. Mizzou extended drives by converting 10/20 on third down and 4/5 on fourth. The Tigers’ 43:10 time of possession was the most telling statistic when compared to UK’s 16:50. So yes, Bazelak impressed the heck out of me last year and I feel he’s one of the better and most threatening quarterbacks in the SEC. The rising sophomore is now the face of the Missouri football program which has led to a surge in recruiting prowess for Coach Eliah Drinkwitz.

(Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

Florida – Emory Jones

Dan Mullen is a polarizing figure in college football. Like him or not, Mullen’s proven record in developing quarterbacks cannot be denied. From Alex Smith, Tim Tebow, Dak Prescott, and most recently Kyle Trask, the Florida head coach can coach up the quarterback position. This leads me to believe that Gator quarterback Emory Jones will be a must-see player in 2021. Jones served primarily as Trask’s backup and situational player in 2020. He completed 18 passes in 2020 for 221 yards and 2 scores. Jones also rushed 32 times for 217 yards and 2 touchdowns.

Emory Jones brings back the dual-threat aspect to the Gator offense. Preseason prognostications forecast Jones as a potential All-SEC performer. Mullen will seek balance for his offense after last season’s SEC-leading pass offense threw for 378.6 yards per game but only rushed for 131 per contest. Jones will play a deciding role and should be an exciting opponent to watch at Kroger Field in 2021.

(Photo by Gus Stark/Collegiate Images/Getty Images)

LSU – Kayshon Boutte

Going away from the quarterback position here but staying on offense with LSU receiver Kayshon Boutte. LSU has recently developed dynamic receivers on an annual basis. Boutte is the next Tiger superstar at the position. His freshman season produced an SEC record-breaking performance against Ole Miss after he registered 308 receiving yards. The 6’0, 185-pound receiver caught 45 passes for 735 yards and 5 touchdowns in 10 games a year ago and is projected to be one of the top pass-catchers in the nation in 2021. Quarterbacks Myles Brennan and Max Johnson will have the luxury of Boutte being a primary target in the passing game.

Kentucky fans are familiar with Mark Stoops referring to elite players as “Scoreboard changers.” Boutte is that and can take over a football game.

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(Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)

Tennessee – Velus Jones Jr.

With personnel losses devastating the Volunteer depth chart, I’m going with receiver/kick returner Velus Jones Jr. The 6’0, 200-pound super-senior was an All-Pac 12 performer at Southern Cal before transferring to Tennessee after the 2019 season. Jones Jr. is an exciting playmaker who finished second on the team with 22 catches for 280 yards and 3 touchdowns a year ago. He also led the SEC in kickoff return yards with 398 for an average of 22.1 yards.

Velus Jones Jr. is one of the most versatile athletes in the SEC. He may be a breakout star in the Volunteers’ new up-tempo offense led by head coach Josh Heupel. Let’s be honest here. UT’s depth chart is unpredictable due to its personnel exodus via the transfer portal; however, Jones Jr. has been named to all-conference teams in both the SEC and Pac-12. He could be a fun player to watch in 2021.

What Does All This Mean?

The new SEC is annually producing offensive superstars. The conference was once dominated by defense; that is no longer the case. From Missouri’s Bazelak to Florida’s Emory Jones, scoring and pass yards are increasing, which leads to an exciting time to be a season ticket holder.

Defensive coordinator Brad White will have the difficult challenge of containing some dynamic players at Kroger Field in 2021. UK has ranked fourth in total defense in the SEC and tops against the pass over the past two seasons. White lost five players to the NFL and is replacing a plethora of difference makers. With these offensive playmakers coming to Lexington, 2021 should be a fun year.