I like how you use the what “many UK” fans think.
Although no way a football guy like you could be wrong, I will start with that source.
Many UK fans think this year’s offensive talent is better than last year. Many think the OLine will compare to mid season of 2 years ago, as many UK fans know the shot the line took when Mosier, Toth, Ramsey and a sick Haynes were not available last year, after creating such a solid run offense in SJ’s first year. Somehow, many UK fans have listened to the coaching staff say GAA and Young are better, Stenberg is better, and believed. Many think a second year center JAckson will be better. Many think that Benny with AJ will be better than Benny alone. Many think CJ Conrad as a senior will be better than he has been the past two years. He thinks as much. Many think a second year Bowden, after a year at WR for the first time, will be better. Many think that the return of Baker will make the WR corps better than last year without him. Many who don’t know your research about the improvement of players think Tavin Richardson will be more consistent and better as a junior than soph. Many think sophs Epps and Ali will be better than their frosh versions.
In fact, if you read the posts here, many UK fans think the defense will be better. Many think a soph Bohanna will be better at NG than the true frosh of last year who displaced the two part-time starters of SJ’s first year. Many, with the coaching staff, believe a bigger Allen moved to his more natural position will be better. Many hope that a Healthy Jones is better than the one who played injured last year. Many think the depth on the DLine is better, perhaps the best in the Stoops era. Many have stated that a second year Phil Hoskins will be better than the first year soph just coming off double shoulder surgery. Some actually think Carter will be better and Middleton will return to his form of two years ago. Many have suggested a second year Lonnie Johnson will be better than the kid just coming out of Juco after playing WR in HS. Some have suggested he will be drafted. Many think Boogie may be as successful as Allen at OLB. Many think Darius West will be improved in his second full healthy season. Many thInk Kash will be as good or better than Love.
So, while I will never know as much about football as you, I know what many UK fans here are saying. I am sure that the science behind your conclusion that players don’t improve after a point is impeccable and reproducible (I wonder if Mike Edwards and Josh Allen are aware of that research), I know that two years ago, no one was talking about UK having multiple NFL prospects on defense. All I know is what many UK fans are saying now.
So, if your sourcing of many UK fans makes any sense, I will rely upon them. I don’t know what they are eating, just what they are saying.