Hello HOB. I’m back on campus today for Mark Stoops’ comments on his early signing class. We should have both Stoops and Vince Marrow today. Festivities will get under way at approx Noon ET. Stay tuned…
MARK STOOPS Q&A:
* Stoops opens his December signing day press conference by noting an additional signee, Jat ant Brown, an ILB from Florida. They have 22 signees as of now, including 6 transfers.
* Stoops likes how they finished strong and likes how they addressed very specific needs with the transfer portal. “Feel like we hit all areas of need.”
* Three big playmakers at the WR position and a really good TE.
* Our team got better today.
* QB Devin Leary was highly sought-after, Stoops said. Anyone who was in the QB market was after him. “Feel like we hit a home run.” Still likes the QBs they have on campus, but this gives them a good bridge to allow those other guys to continue developing.
* Both Leary and Cox had injuries late in the season, but Stoops believes they’ll both be able to go this spring.
* Stoops not biting on a question about how they recruited a guy like Leary without an OC. Smiles and laughs. “You know I’m not gonna fall for that.” Ha
* Stoops says he doesn’t have all the answers with what’s going on with the portal right now, “but this is not sustainable.”
* On comparing/contrasting Levis and Leary… Different guys, different situations. Will came in as a guy who has mainly just run the football. Devin has a ton of good film on tape throwing the ball.
* Stoops notes that some of the redshirts this year will play in the bowl game, a guy like Jordan Anthony.
* On Ray Davis… Important to get a power back who fits the mold that UK has featured in recent years. Still working on that position. Hoping to add a very dynamic HS guy as well. But Davis is a proven player in the SEC. Great addition.
* Really liked Cox when they played against him with Northern Illinois. Thinks he’s an outstanding OT. Great length and athleticism.
* Very important for Mike Stoops to get a guy like Brown out of south Florida, very talented lLB.
* On Anderson and the Detroit pipeline… Very important to keep that going. Like the playmaking ability of Anderson at TE.
* Bowles has nice experience, a guy from in-state who kinda fits what they’ve been over the years. A physical, tough guy who projects at guard.
* Porter is a great young man, great family. He’s been rock solid with them for a long time. Big and physical WR. Could be a guy who helps them early.
* Godfrey is a guy you may have forgotten about because there’s been so little drama surrounding his recruitment, but he’s been solid for a long time. Could be ILB or OLB. Kinda like Jamin Davis physically when he came in.
* Wood is a kid with great frame and potential to develop long-term. He’s 6-8, 290 now, but could end up being much bigger with time.
* Ziesmer, the thing that jumps off the tape at you, is how active he is and the energy he brings.
* Boulware is a guy who could adapt and recruit strong in a lot of areas, Stoops said. He’s not ready to say exactly where his focus will be, but is excited about what he brings to the table.
* Stoops says he was all for an early signing period and still likes certain things about it, but with bowl games and transfer portal and other things you’re dealing with at this time of year. They need to make some changes. This month has gotten too crazy. He thinks a lot of coaches feel the same way.
* On seven HS guys coming in early… It can be helpful. Kids are very mature and can handle it. They have systems in place to help them in the transition. It’s an easier adjustment in the spring than it is the fall when you’re playing games. A guy like Dane Key is a good example.
* On Brohm going to Louisville… It changes the dynamic with recruiting. Stoops jokes that it’s kinda tough because he likes Jeff. Not a knock against Scott, but he just didn’t know him very well. Looks forward to battling with Brohm.
* Thinks you can see Devin Leary coming in and winning the locker room early on. Very authentic. “He’s a dude…. You can see him being a great fit.” Also appreciates his team because they’ve been so accepting of new guys transferring in and taking leadership roles all the way back to Courtney Love.
* Asked about his player ambassadors on recruiting visits, Stoops says there’s so many of them. They have a bunch of guys who are good at it.
* “There’s players out there that we’re still looking to reel in.” (Won’t mention specific positions, but already did RB earlier, and there could be some more.
MARK STOOPS Q&A:
* Stoops opens his December signing day press conference by noting an additional signee, Jat ant Brown, an ILB from Florida. They have 22 signees as of now, including 6 transfers.
* Stoops likes how they finished strong and likes how they addressed very specific needs with the transfer portal. “Feel like we hit all areas of need.”
* Three big playmakers at the WR position and a really good TE.
* Our team got better today.
* QB Devin Leary was highly sought-after, Stoops said. Anyone who was in the QB market was after him. “Feel like we hit a home run.” Still likes the QBs they have on campus, but this gives them a good bridge to allow those other guys to continue developing.
* Both Leary and Cox had injuries late in the season, but Stoops believes they’ll both be able to go this spring.
* Stoops not biting on a question about how they recruited a guy like Leary without an OC. Smiles and laughs. “You know I’m not gonna fall for that.” Ha
* Stoops says he doesn’t have all the answers with what’s going on with the portal right now, “but this is not sustainable.”
* On comparing/contrasting Levis and Leary… Different guys, different situations. Will came in as a guy who has mainly just run the football. Devin has a ton of good film on tape throwing the ball.
* Stoops notes that some of the redshirts this year will play in the bowl game, a guy like Jordan Anthony.
* On Ray Davis… Important to get a power back who fits the mold that UK has featured in recent years. Still working on that position. Hoping to add a very dynamic HS guy as well. But Davis is a proven player in the SEC. Great addition.
* Really liked Cox when they played against him with Northern Illinois. Thinks he’s an outstanding OT. Great length and athleticism.
* Very important for Mike Stoops to get a guy like Brown out of south Florida, very talented lLB.
* On Anderson and the Detroit pipeline… Very important to keep that going. Like the playmaking ability of Anderson at TE.
* Bowles has nice experience, a guy from in-state who kinda fits what they’ve been over the years. A physical, tough guy who projects at guard.
* Porter is a great young man, great family. He’s been rock solid with them for a long time. Big and physical WR. Could be a guy who helps them early.
* Godfrey is a guy you may have forgotten about because there’s been so little drama surrounding his recruitment, but he’s been solid for a long time. Could be ILB or OLB. Kinda like Jamin Davis physically when he came in.
* Wood is a kid with great frame and potential to develop long-term. He’s 6-8, 290 now, but could end up being much bigger with time.
* Ziesmer, the thing that jumps off the tape at you, is how active he is and the energy he brings.
* Boulware is a guy who could adapt and recruit strong in a lot of areas, Stoops said. He’s not ready to say exactly where his focus will be, but is excited about what he brings to the table.
* Stoops says he was all for an early signing period and still likes certain things about it, but with bowl games and transfer portal and other things you’re dealing with at this time of year. They need to make some changes. This month has gotten too crazy. He thinks a lot of coaches feel the same way.
* On seven HS guys coming in early… It can be helpful. Kids are very mature and can handle it. They have systems in place to help them in the transition. It’s an easier adjustment in the spring than it is the fall when you’re playing games. A guy like Dane Key is a good example.
* On Brohm going to Louisville… It changes the dynamic with recruiting. Stoops jokes that it’s kinda tough because he likes Jeff. Not a knock against Scott, but he just didn’t know him very well. Looks forward to battling with Brohm.
* Thinks you can see Devin Leary coming in and winning the locker room early on. Very authentic. “He’s a dude…. You can see him being a great fit.” Also appreciates his team because they’ve been so accepting of new guys transferring in and taking leadership roles all the way back to Courtney Love.
* Asked about his player ambassadors on recruiting visits, Stoops says there’s so many of them. They have a bunch of guys who are good at it.
* “There’s players out there that we’re still looking to reel in.” (Won’t mention specific positions, but already did RB earlier, and there could be some more.
