Did we just get a TE commit today?

I was hoping we'd be building depth along the OL, but, so far, we're down one more than we picked up. Kind of surprised at Ray leaving, ambivalent about Keenum. Keenum was the obvious heir apparent at C but, after 2 years and Eli graduating, he doesn't feel like he's the guy (or, more likely, the coaches told him he's not the guy)? Another evaluation miss in the 2023 class, evidently. I'm assuming the staff have high confidence that a C is coming on board from the portal (WKU guy?) so Keenum was told he'd be 2nd string still. Ford never panned out, some due to injury, and I'm not sure I ever saw Christman on the field except perhaps on ST, so those two are not 'depth' pieces and weren't going to be depth pieces.

I am not going to be all that optimistic in the preseason this year. Got burned by this past year and I'm going to wait and see how the first few games play out before I get too high on the team. It sure looks like we've still got some pretty big holes to fill (RB, OT, LB) and our schedule is going to be very tough again.

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Fine pickup to be a run blocking TE. Obviously not much stats (3 catches) but hes coming in to block and should be able to do it.

Stoops is still at the helm and we're more than likely winning no more than 3 games next year

Unfortunately true...

Hope I'm wrong

Rounding up some of the latest developments, what we can confirm, thoughts on where things stand:

** Vanderbilt OT Gunnar Hansen will be visiting Kentucky this week. Hansen was a senior this year and has one season remaining. Had a really good game against Alabama, a showcase performance for him. On the season Hansen scored 55.9 on PFF, playing 722 snaps, and he was slightly better at pass blocking than run blocking. It was an okay season and he would probably be serviceable at left tackle. Whether that's going to be the best option, time will tell. The fact that he has played left tackle extensively makes him interesting. Wallace Unamba from New Mexico, for instances, was a right tackle. Alex Wollschlaeger, who is committed, has been a three-year starter at Bowling Green but exclusively at right tackle. You would expect a MAC right tackle to play right tackle in the SEC. But pass protection has been prioritized with the linemen they have been pursuing so far and I think the pass protection already looks improved on paper.

** Alabama WR Kendrick Laws will also be visiting Kentucky this week. I believe Josh Edwards had this report first. Laws is someone who has been mentioned to us for the past week or so. This has been in the works for a little while now. He was a legitimate rotation guy at Alabama and my view is the numbers would have been a lot better under different circumstances there. Law played a decent amount, about as much as a typical backup receiver in the SEC, grading out at 58.2 on PFF. In spite of being 5'11, 209 pounds, he is not exclusively or even mostly a slot receiver. In usage at Alabama he was spread out wide 75% of the time. There were moments when he was used extensively in the slot on passing plays against Auburn but he was primarily an outside receiver. Kentucky's in a position where they need size at receiver but that's not all, they also need rotation players and depth. Just look at the depth chart and there are a lot of guys who haven't proven it yet. Laws didn't have any contested catches last year but he only had one drop.

** Wake Forest WR Horatio Fields is someone they felt good about coming out of the visit. It will be interesting to see how hard they press for a commitment. The word I've gotten early on is they will be helped with receivers when they know who the quarterback is going to be and that can be communicated. For a receiver that's going to be a huge deal, they're going to have opinions on it.

** Bleed Blue Network reported that Ball State WR Justin Bowick will be visiting Kentucky later this week and I had this confirmed with the caveat that things can change. However, he has been on the radar for a little while, since he went into the portal. Bowick is like Fields in that he's a big target who would help fix the lack of size in the room. The 6'4, 192-pound receiver wasn't exactly efficient last year. He had 28 targets and only 13 receptions, a 46.4% catch rate. But his average depth of target was 19.3 yards downfield. What's really impressive about Bowick is he had seven contested catches on 11 opportunities. He can go get it. Three balls thrown to him were picks, so there was a tendency to just put the ball in the vicinity because of Bowick's size and radius. Bowick would be very high on the wish list for me. In only four games he had 20 catches for 383 yards and three touchdowns. He was dominant against Miami-OH (8 catches, 171 yards, TD) and Buffalo (7 catches, 148 yards, 2 TD) in consecutive weeks.

** Nick Roush reported that Incarnate Word QB Zach Calzada will be visiting Kentucky this week. Remember he is someone that we've heard about for some time, even before he went into the portal. Kentucky is not the only school interested but we've heard about him enough and for long enough that he seems like someone they have a very real shot with. The visit right after going into the portal is a great sign there. In terms of the ability to run the ball, Calzada makes more sense than Duke quarterback Maalik Murphy, who arrived yesterday for a visit. I think Murphy can be a really good college quarterback but as Conor O'Neill said you want him set up to succeed the way he needs to be. Kentucky's pass protection should be improved next year based on the additions they've had so far alone, but do you really go into a season thinking a Mark Stoops team is going to pick you apart with the passing game? The Calzada option just makes more sense in terms of the direction you would expect Hamdan and Stoops to go. Throw in that he's been mentioned for so long and I'd be paying close attention there.

** Calzada played 1,038 snaps and scored 72.0 on PFF. He had a few down games but for the most part scored very well. 72.0 as a passer, 73.5 as a runner for Incarnate Word.

** Ever since Dane Key went into the portal and even during the season I heard about Georgia as the main option to watch and it seems like that is still looking like a strong option.

UK definitely has interest in WCU transfer Derek Simmons and they are TRYING to get a visit set up but there is also an acknowledgement that lots of other schools are in play. You can have the PT and the money but some others do too. This one is wait and see, will let you know if a visit is set.

Miles McVay from Bama announced he is going into the portal today. Eric Wolford had him at Alabama. As of right now I do not believe he will be a target. Probably want someone more ready to play and more athletic.

Per KSR, UK has offer Derek Simmons an OT from Western Carolina. Simmons is a grad transfer and would have one year of eligibility left.

** When Mark Stoops made his WR coach hire you had to know there would be a "win now" component to it. You're not hiring a guy to recruit high school sophomores. You're trying to get this thing fixed right away. One reason the L'Damian Washington hire is appealing is he has a Shreveport connection with Alabama wide receiver Kendrick Law. One reason for Law's appeal is they believe there is upside there but he can also line up everywhere so he helps the depth situation across the board.

** Wake Forest WR Horatio Fields is visiting Auburn today and then South Carolina on Thursday. I feel good about where they stand with Law, and Ball State's Bowick is very intriguing as a guy with length who can make contested catches.

** Feeling good about Kentucky's chances with Sam Houston State defensive lineman Chris Murray. As mentioned, getting Marshall ILB Landyn Watson does not hurt there because of their history together.

** Once again, reiterating that Vanderbilt offensive lineman Gunnar Hansen is the most likely guy to come on board at that left tackle spot. He arrives for his visit and will be staying the evening. Expect them to put on the full court press.

** Still like where they stand with WKU OL Evan Wibberley. At present, the most likely outcome for the OL portal class is Wibberley, Wollschlaeger, Hansen, and Braun. That would be two starting tackles, a starting center, and a starting guard. Four new starters up front. I ran the numbers, and those four players have seen the field for a combined 8,033 snaps at the FBS level in college football. Bring those guys in, put Farmer with them, and that is an extremely experienced offensive line. How it all would come together and gel is anybody's guess.

** Can tell you that Kentucky has been in on some big-name offensive tackle prospects from the portal, some of the highest-rated guys you will see across various platforms, and these talks have evolved to the possibility of visits. When it materializes, we are letting you know.

Jack Pyburn has went into the portal after being denied his ridiculous demands. If true, this was the easiest decision for Florida's staff to tell this guy to get lost.

https://mikefarrellsports.com/colle...sfer-portal-after-numerous-demands-are-denied


"Those included a $45,000 monthly stipend, a guarantee that he would start at outside linebacker, increased snaps in the rotation and another guarantee that he would play on ALL third downs."

Bowl games are slowing portal entries as well. This is just the first wave. I hope we keep looking for more experienced players, like Indiana Football did this past year. Happy Holidays!

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🔥🔥

Assuming UK signs Zach Calzada, I'm of the opinion that our next biggest need is at running back. Your thoughts?

anymore.

NickR on KSRadio

"That’s where lightning struck twice and he recruited a two-way player to win the Hesiman Trophy. Only Prime, the last great two-way player, could land Travis Hunter. Trying to recreate this very specific scenario is a fool’s errand."

The same year another great two-way player has been inducted into the NFL Hall of Fame, even. I know it's just one possibly innocent oversight, and I don't read many of their articles, but when I do there always seems to be these mistakes and misstatements. Which is why I don't read many of their articles.

I just wish people knew more about the sports they are covering. It's not like Devin Hester or his induction is a secret. The guy played 3 ways at Miami just like Sanders did at FSU. I don't know how anyone that watches, much less covers, college football wouldn't know that

Hearing that Kentucky may have added a portal WR from the SEC in the form of JJ Hester from Oklahoma. Former 4-star recruit/Top 300 prospect. 6-foot-4, 203, big target. I think he may have prior relationship with UK OC Bush Hamdan when Hester was originally at Mizzou out of HS. Stay tuned…

What the hell is Bama doing? 😂

What the top 75 college sports programs are worth
https://www.cnbc.com/2024/12/19/col...are|com.apple.UIKit.activity.CopyToPasteboard

With 4-8 North Dakota. I'm sure they will pull this one out.

Got beat by a few seconds lol, don't need two threads on this.

UK ATHLETICS COMMUNICATIONS AND PUBLIC RELATIONS
FOOTBALL
Dec. 17, 2024

L’Damian Washington Named Kentucky Wide Receivers Coach

Former NFL and Missouri wide receiver spent the last two seasons at USF

LEXINGTON, Ky. – University of Kentucky head football coach Mark Stoops announced Tuesday the hiring of L’Damian Washington to coach the wide receivers.

“We are very excited to add L’Damian to our staff,” Stoops said. “I’ve known about him for a few years as he coached my nephew, Drake Stoops, at Oklahoma. So, I have gotten some really good intel on his coaching style. He is young, energetic, and can relate to our players. He has an amazing story of perseverance and I think he will be a great addition to our team.”

Washington, 33, comes to the Bluegrass after two seasons (2023-24) as the wide receivers coach and pass game coordinator under head coach Alex Golesh at USF. He was the wide receivers coach in 2023 before adding pass game coordinator to his title in 2024.

“I’m very proud to join the Big Blue Nation,” Washington said. “I’ve known the Stoops family for a while and being able to coach under one of the best head coaches in the country in Mark Stoops is an honor. I am also excited about working again with Bush Hamdan. Bush is one of the main reasons I got into coaching and he’s been a big influence in my life. What else excites me is the opportunity to work with this talented group of receivers. I knew Ja’Mori Maclin from his playing days at Missouri and we have a lot of young talent returning in Hardley Gilmore, Rico Crowder, Fred Farrier and others. It’s an exciting time to be a Wildcat.”

The Bulls recently earned their 12th bowl appearance, finishing the 2024 regular season 6-6 overall and 4-4 in the American Athletic Conference. They will face San Jose State in The Hawai’i Bowl on Dec. 24.

Wide receiver Sean Atkins posted incredible numbers the last two seasons under Washington, including becoming the first 1,000-yard receiver (1,054) in program history in 2023. The former walk-on also broke the USF career receptions record (160) and has at least four catches in 24 of 25 games since the start of the 2023 season – more than any FBS player over that span. Atkins earned second-team All-AAC honors in 2023 after recording 92 catches for 1,054 yards and seven touchdowns. He was a third-team choice in 2024 with a team-high 68 catches for 677 yards and two scores.

In his first season at USF in 2023, Washington helped the Bulls produce 12 team and 16 individual records, capping the biggest turnaround in program history (a six-win improvement) with a 45-0 rout of Syracuse in the Boca Raton Bowl. The Bulls ranked 17th nationally in total offense (451.6 yards per game) and tallied 5,871 yards, the third-best mark in program history.

Washington spent the 2022 season at Oklahoma under head coach Brent Venables. He worked with an offense that produced 32.9 points per game and averaged 8.14 yards per passing attempt. Wide receiver Marvin Mims Jr. was named to the All-Big 12 Football First Team after leading the Sooners with 54 catches for 1,083 yards and six scores. He averaged 20.1 yards per reception which ranked sixth nationally. Mims is currently in his second season with the Denver Broncos. In 2023, he became just the second rookie in Broncos’ history to be selected to the Pro Bowl and AP All-Pro team in the same season.

Prior to Oklahoma, Washington worked one season at Southern University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana under head coach Jason Rollins. He also served as director of player development at his alma mater, Missouri, in 2020, working with then-quarterbacks coach Bush Hamdan. Additionally, he volunteered as the head coach at West Middle School in Columbia, Missouri in 2019 and 2020.

Washington had a standout career as a player at Mizzou from 2009-13. The four-year letterwinner and two-year starter caught 100 passes for 1,735 yards and 15 touchdowns. In his first two seasons, he caught 25 passes for 399 yards and three touchdowns before moving into a starting role as a junior. In 2012, he caught 25 passes for 443 yards and two scores before exploding for 50 catches and 893 yards (17.9 average) with 10 scores as a senior. One of his most memorable plays came in an upset win at Georgia, catching a double-pass from Bud Sasser to help Mizzou to a 41-26 victory between the hedges. The team captain finished with a career-high 115 yards and two scores on seven receptions against the Dawgs. He also caught a 96-yard TD pass against South Carolina as the Tigers would go on to capture the 2013 East crown that season. The Tigers advanced to bowl games four times when he was with the program.

Following his collegiate playing career, Washington signed with the Dallas Cowboys as an undrafted free agent in 2014. Over the next two years, he would spend time with seven NFL teams before playing in the CFL. He briefly played in the Birmingham Alliance of American Football in 2019 before that league shut down. He then played for the St. Louis Battlehawks of the XFL before that league was shut down in 2020 due to COVID-19.

Washington, originally from Shreveport, Louisiana, graduated with a bachelor's degree in psychology from Missouri in 2013. While a student-athlete, his personal story garnered national attention, as he lost both of his parents by the age of 15. He often shares his story and inspires others as a motivational speaker.

He and his partner, Alexis, have two children, Banks and King.

The hiring of Washington is contingent on satisfactory completion of the university’s pre-employment screenings and other due diligence.



Washington’s Coaching/Playing Career





* Offseason and/or practice squad member only

I think we can all agree/assume all the drones are likely ours in one way or the other (who and what they’re being used for is up for debate), but what are the orbs??