Before getting into this topic, I should initially say that UK's much-criticized OL played lights out yesterday. Ray Davis wasn't kidding when he gave credit to the BBW for his huge rushing day. Watching the taped replays, UK's OL opened huge running lanes for Davis. On Davis' longer runs, he ran untouched to the second level, and then cut back against the grain of pursuit toward open field at the third level. This was, at the least, the BBW's best performance since 2021. Props to our OL. They heard the criticisms, took the coaching, and played an inspired game against a UF defense that was #1 in the SEC until yesterday.
Now, Coach Stoops often receives justified praise for his opportunistic use of the transfer portal. A case in point is Ray Davis, who yesterday rushed for the 3rd-largest single game yardage total in UK football history and took control of the game. Prior to the season, some of our fans said we don't have a workhorse RB this year. WRONG.
The rebuilding of our OL is another remarkable achievement. LT Marques Cox and LG Dylan Ray have been big pieces of our OL's success. In particular, Ray's play has been terrific. Yesterday, Ray had a huge game. On the replays, you can see that Ray was dominant (and so were Eli Cox and Jager Burton). It is incredible that Ray didn't even have a scholarship at WV. No wonder he left Morgantown. Identifying and enticing Ray represents outstanding use of the portal and an impact piece of recruiting by UK's coaching staff.
At the same time, Marques Cox has been a very steady performer. Our play at LT has improved by leaps and bounds this season. I have begun to wonder what will happen when the Horseman returns. I don't see how Liam Coen can take Dylan Ray out of our lineup, but all of our linemen played great yesterday.
Courtland Ford hasn't yet had the impact of Dylan Ray or Marques Cox, but Ford has played well when he has gotten opportunities. Maybe the biggest thing Ford has done has been figuratively kicking Jeremy Flax in the butt and inspiring Flax to improve. So far, Flax has been a new player this year. Flax was outstanding yesterday, and I hope our fans saw that.
So far, former 4-star Tanner Bowles is a mop-up player who can't take snaps away from Dylan Ray or Eli Cox, which yet again tells a reality about star ratings that some posters still can't bring themselves to face. However, Bowles still has an opportunity to return for a COVID season in 2024 and work on his game. For now, he is a depth piece who hasn't been able to work his way into games before the outcome was determined.
DSK has made small contributions so far, but his speed, quickness, and great hands already stand out. To my eye, it is only a matter of time before DSK contributes more impact splash plays against SEC opponents. His ability to play RB or in the slot provides flexibility.
This brings me around to Devin Leary. I had a scary thought yesterday while watching Leary struggle. Of course, Leary missed most of the 2022 season and needed surgery on a torn chest wall muscle. Besides me, has anyone else noticed Leary's arm slot? Compared to what I have seen on film from Leary's earlier career, he has dropped his arm slot down. Maybe this is because of the surgery, or maybe it is just the long layoff. In any case, a low arm slot explains the inconsistent accuracy and, especially, all the high, sailing throws. This is potentially correctable, and I'm sure Coach Coen has noticed it. But it is a bad habit that will probably continue to affect Leary's consistency until a lot more work is done.
PK Alex Raynor has been remarkable. What else can I say?
On the defensive side, Keeshaun Silver has been much better than I expected. Throughout the spring and summer, I kept hearing that Silver was badly out of shape. If that was true, he has obviously addressed it. Of course, playing next to Deone Walker has helped Silver immensely. In the 3-3-5, defensive linemen occupy offensive blockers so LBs and safeties can make plays. Silver and Walker are occupying multiple blockers and controlling the point of attack consistently, while D'Eryk Jackson and Trevin Wallace clean up. Silver has been by far our most important defensive transfer.
JQ Hardaway is having a lot of trouble hanging in UK's CB playing rotation. Hardaway is young, and we have not seen the last of him. He has impressive physical tools, but this season has been a big jump for him. Hardaway still needs the game to slow down a little.
Daveren Rayner is primarily playing on special teams but should be back (with a bulked up frame) in 2024. For now, Rayner has been jumped by Martez Thrower and maybe freshman Jayvant Brown. Jantzen Dunn hasn't shown anything yet, another example that stars don't necessarily mean much. But Dunn also has the benefit of multiple years of eligibility and will have more opportunities.
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Now, Coach Stoops often receives justified praise for his opportunistic use of the transfer portal. A case in point is Ray Davis, who yesterday rushed for the 3rd-largest single game yardage total in UK football history and took control of the game. Prior to the season, some of our fans said we don't have a workhorse RB this year. WRONG.
The rebuilding of our OL is another remarkable achievement. LT Marques Cox and LG Dylan Ray have been big pieces of our OL's success. In particular, Ray's play has been terrific. Yesterday, Ray had a huge game. On the replays, you can see that Ray was dominant (and so were Eli Cox and Jager Burton). It is incredible that Ray didn't even have a scholarship at WV. No wonder he left Morgantown. Identifying and enticing Ray represents outstanding use of the portal and an impact piece of recruiting by UK's coaching staff.
At the same time, Marques Cox has been a very steady performer. Our play at LT has improved by leaps and bounds this season. I have begun to wonder what will happen when the Horseman returns. I don't see how Liam Coen can take Dylan Ray out of our lineup, but all of our linemen played great yesterday.
Courtland Ford hasn't yet had the impact of Dylan Ray or Marques Cox, but Ford has played well when he has gotten opportunities. Maybe the biggest thing Ford has done has been figuratively kicking Jeremy Flax in the butt and inspiring Flax to improve. So far, Flax has been a new player this year. Flax was outstanding yesterday, and I hope our fans saw that.
So far, former 4-star Tanner Bowles is a mop-up player who can't take snaps away from Dylan Ray or Eli Cox, which yet again tells a reality about star ratings that some posters still can't bring themselves to face. However, Bowles still has an opportunity to return for a COVID season in 2024 and work on his game. For now, he is a depth piece who hasn't been able to work his way into games before the outcome was determined.
DSK has made small contributions so far, but his speed, quickness, and great hands already stand out. To my eye, it is only a matter of time before DSK contributes more impact splash plays against SEC opponents. His ability to play RB or in the slot provides flexibility.
This brings me around to Devin Leary. I had a scary thought yesterday while watching Leary struggle. Of course, Leary missed most of the 2022 season and needed surgery on a torn chest wall muscle. Besides me, has anyone else noticed Leary's arm slot? Compared to what I have seen on film from Leary's earlier career, he has dropped his arm slot down. Maybe this is because of the surgery, or maybe it is just the long layoff. In any case, a low arm slot explains the inconsistent accuracy and, especially, all the high, sailing throws. This is potentially correctable, and I'm sure Coach Coen has noticed it. But it is a bad habit that will probably continue to affect Leary's consistency until a lot more work is done.
PK Alex Raynor has been remarkable. What else can I say?
On the defensive side, Keeshaun Silver has been much better than I expected. Throughout the spring and summer, I kept hearing that Silver was badly out of shape. If that was true, he has obviously addressed it. Of course, playing next to Deone Walker has helped Silver immensely. In the 3-3-5, defensive linemen occupy offensive blockers so LBs and safeties can make plays. Silver and Walker are occupying multiple blockers and controlling the point of attack consistently, while D'Eryk Jackson and Trevin Wallace clean up. Silver has been by far our most important defensive transfer.
JQ Hardaway is having a lot of trouble hanging in UK's CB playing rotation. Hardaway is young, and we have not seen the last of him. He has impressive physical tools, but this season has been a big jump for him. Hardaway still needs the game to slow down a little.
Daveren Rayner is primarily playing on special teams but should be back (with a bulked up frame) in 2024. For now, Rayner has been jumped by Martez Thrower and maybe freshman Jayvant Brown. Jantzen Dunn hasn't shown anything yet, another example that stars don't necessarily mean much. But Dunn also has the benefit of multiple years of eligibility and will have more opportunities.
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