Impressions for 2025 OLine?

[UKSanders]

In 2024, I watched less football than I have in years, so I didn't see enough in game or even read as much on here to have much of a feel at all about the team.

However, I have noticed that the OL room (along with several other positions) is almost a complete overhaul. So, for those that kept up with spring practice (and are also exponentially more knowledgeable about football than me anyway), what is the impression/expectation level heading into the fall?

If the depth chart is something like the following, does it seem pretty thin for depth to anyone else?
LT: Pete, Wood
LG: Braun, Fogler (if he doesn't have the quickness to play OT in the SEC, maybe steps in as a big OG?)
OC: Burton, Wibberley (whoever ends up at OC #2 probably rotates as backup OG as well?)
RG: Farmer, Selm
RT: Wollschlaeger, Fogler, New commit Cam Jones?

Incoming FR:
OT: Jermiel Atkins, Darrin Strey
iOL: Jayden Clark,
OT vs iOL: Bryan Auguste

 

[TuckyFB]

I don't think the new OL portal additions will be playing this year or at all. I think they're just practice bodies. Hayes Johnson will backup either Wollschlaeger or Pete and then the incoming freshmen will be behind him.

The OL is better (on paper) this year than last year. Hopefully, they'll get Calzada some time to throw the ball.

 

[BlueRaider22]

I don't think the new OL portal additions will be playing this year or at all. I think they're just practice bodies. Hayes Johnson will backup either Wollschlaeger or Pete and then the incoming freshmen will be behind him.

The OL is better (on paper) this year than last year. Hopefully, they'll get Calzada some time to throw the ball.

Agreed. I think the OL looks pretty decent on paper. Not one of our better OL's, but shouldn't be a liability. We'll still be a running focused team. But, as always, this offense will go as far as the QB takes us.

 

[Rembrandt90]

I don't think the new OL portal additions will be playing this year or at all. I think they're just practice bodies. Hayes Johnson will backup either Wollschlaeger or Pete and then the incoming freshmen will be behind him.

The OL is better (on paper) this year than last year. Hopefully, they'll get Calzada some time to throw the ball.

You don't believe Wolf's portal additions will play? Is that right? Then why were they brought in? To sit? Uh, no.

Our spring starters-

Shiyazh Pete (LT)- Big guy with great frame, long levers, long arms, and pretty good feet. At the NM St level, he was dominant. SEC is better football, of course, so he has to step up. But UK was not the only SEC program that wanted him. Since the liberalized transfer rules were introduced, many linemen from elsewhere have transfered up to the SEC and done well (Landon Dickerson, CamRon Johnson, O'Cyrus Torrence, and Wendell Moe, for example). Pete won the starting LT job in spring practice, so he will play. How well he plays will ultimately go a long way to determine whether UK's offense is successful. But I have no doubt he is a step or two up from Marques Cox, who had a poor 2024 season but will nonetheless participate in an NFL camp.

Alex Wollschlaeger (RT)- Former member of the all-MAC team. Another long body with long arms and good feet. Has a history of being an effective run and pass blocker. Had a great spring and won a starting job, so he will play. Other SEC teams also wanted him.

Joshua Braun (LG)- former all-SEC player at AR. Power downhill blocker who probably has an NFL future. One other website has predicted he will be the best player on UK's offense. So he will obviously play.

Jalen Farmer (RG)- former transfer from FL who started for UK in 2024 and was our most effective offensive lineman. Still just a Jr. Good downhill blocker but also an effective pass blocker. May have an NFL future.

Jaden Burton (C)- UK beat out Clemson and several SEC programs to sign the 4 star prospect. He was undersized for an SEC lineman and has has multiple position coaches, so has been slow to develop. But he has added 15# and moved inside to C. Burton is a player habitually negative UK fans love to bash and throw under the bus. But players improve over time, and Burton had a strong spring. Has a chance now for vindication, and has the athleticism to block LBs at the 2nd level.

The as-yet unspoken truth here is that Stoops and Wolf have rebuilt their bench with multiple younger players with size and multiple years of eligibility remaining. Aba Selm, Jayden Clark, Malachi Wood, Darrin Strey, Jermiel Atkins, Cameron Jones, Rob Fogler, and Evan Wibberley all have opportunities to start in future seasons.

This kind of quality OL depth is previously unknown at UK. Wolf has a long fund of SEC coaching experience and has put many players in the NFL draft. There is no question that our 2025 OL is better. My remaining questions pertain mainly to the ILBs.

 

[TuckyFB]

You don't believe Wolf's portal additions will play? Is that right? Then why were they brought in? To sit? Uh, no.

Our spring starters-

Shiyazh Pete (LT)- Big guy with great frame, long levers, long arms, and pretty good feet. At the NM St level, he was dominant. SEC is better football, of course, so he has to step up. But UK was not the only SEC program that wanted him. Since the liberalized transfer rules were introduced, many linemen from elsewhere have transfered up to the SEC and done well (Landon Dickerson, CamRon Johnson, O'Cyrus Torrence, and Wendell Moe, for example). Pete won the starting LT job in spring practice, so he will play. How well he plays will ultimately go a long way to determine whether UK's offense is successful. But I have no doubt he is a step or two up from Marques Cox, who had a poor 2024 season but will nonetheless participate in an NFL camp.

Alex Wollschlaeger (RT)- Former member of the all-MAC team. Another long body with long arms and good feet. Has a history of being an effective run and pass blocker. Had a great spring and won a starting job, so he will play. Other SEC teams also wanted him.

Joshua Braun (LG)- former all-SEC player at AR. Power downhill blocker who probably has an NFL future. One other website has predicted he will be the best player on UK's offense. So he will obviously play.

Jalen Farmer (RG)- former transfer from FL who started for UK in 2024 and was our most effective offensive lineman. Still just a Jr. Good downhill blocker but also an effective pass blocker. May have an NFL future.

Jaden Burton (C)- UK beat out Clemson and several SEC programs to sign the 4 star prospect. He was undersized for an SEC lineman and has has multiple position coaches, so has been slow to develop. But he has added 15# and moved inside to C. Burton is a player habitually negative UK fans love to bash and throw under the bus. But players improve over time, and Burton had a strong spring. Has a chance now for vindication, and has the athleticism to block LBs at the 2nd level.

The as-yet unspoken truth here is that Stoops and Wolf have rebuilt their bench with multiple younger players with size and multiple years of eligibility remaining. Aba Selm, Jayden Clark, Malachi Wood, Darrin Strey, Jermiel Atkins, Cameron Jones, Rob Fogler, and Evan Wibberley all have opportunities to start in future seasons.

This kind of quality OL depth is previously unknown at UK. Wolf has a long fund of SEC coaching experience and has put many players in the NFL draft. There is no question that our 2025 OL is better. My remaining questions pertain mainly to the ILBs.

You cannot read. I'm clearly talking about Cam Jones and Rob Fogler. Hence the word "new". And if you think those guys will start in the future then UK Football is officially cooked.


new
/no͞o/
adjective

1. 1.
   not existing before; made, introduced, or discovered recently or now for the first time.

 

[Cobb4uk]

You don't believe Wolf's portal additions will play? Is that right? Then why were they brought in? To sit? Uh, no.

Our spring starters-

Shiyazh Pete (LT)- Big guy with great frame, long levers, long arms, and pretty good feet. At the NM St level, he was dominant. SEC is better football, of course, so he has to step up. But UK was not the only SEC program that wanted him. Since the liberalized transfer rules were introduced, many linemen from elsewhere have transfered up to the SEC and done well (Landon Dickerson, CamRon Johnson, O'Cyrus Torrence, and Wendell Moe, for example). Pete won the starting LT job in spring practice, so he will play. How well he plays will ultimately go a long way to determine whether UK's offense is successful. But I have no doubt he is a step or two up from Marques Cox, who had a poor 2024 season but will nonetheless participate in an NFL camp.

Alex Wollschlaeger (RT)- Former member of the all-MAC team. Another long body with long arms and good feet. Has a history of being an effective run and pass blocker. Had a great spring and won a starting job, so he will play. Other SEC teams also wanted him.

Joshua Braun (LG)- former all-SEC player at AR. Power downhill blocker who probably has an NFL future. One other website has predicted he will be the best player on UK's offense. So he will obviously play.

Jalen Farmer (RG)- former transfer from FL who started for UK in 2024 and was our most effective offensive lineman. Still just a Jr. Good downhill blocker but also an effective pass blocker. May have an NFL future.

Jaden Burton (C)- UK beat out Clemson and several SEC programs to sign the 4 star prospect. He was undersized for an SEC lineman and has has multiple position coaches, so has been slow to develop. But he has added 15# and moved inside to C. Burton is a player habitually negative UK fans love to bash and throw under the bus. But players improve over time, and Burton had a strong spring. Has a chance now for vindication, and has the athleticism to block LBs at the 2nd level.

The as-yet unspoken truth here is that Stoops and Wolf have rebuilt their bench with multiple younger players with size and multiple years of eligibility remaining. Aba Selm, Jayden Clark, Malachi Wood, Darrin Strey, Jermiel Atkins, Cameron Jones, Rob Fogler, and Evan Wibberley all have opportunities to start in future seasons.

This kind of quality OL depth is previously unknown at UK. Wolf has a long fund of SEC coaching experience and has put many players in the NFL draft. There is no question that our 2025 OL is better. My remaining questions pertain mainly to the ILBs.

90, we know your going to post practical relative info, and we thank you for that. One thing I think will help tremendously is the complete attitude change, there was a couple of cancers that have moved on, thank goodness, that affected the whole team.

I in no way am any type of insider but have aluminum friends who tell me this team is so much closer and motivated than last years team, much more focused, hard working and want to prove something. We'll find out in the fall.

 

[satcheluk]

90, we know your going to post practical relative info, and we thank you for that. One thing I think will help tremendously is the complete attitude change, there was a couple of cancers that have moved on, thank goodness, that affected the whole team.

I in no way am any type of insider but have aluminum friends who tell me this team is so much closer and motivated than last years team, much more focused, hard working and want to prove something. We'll find out in the fall.

What is an aluminum friend?

 

[Boz]

I have said many times if Burton is in the starting lineup we have problems. On a positive, Burton's natural position in C. I hope he does a better of snapping the ball this go around.

 

[ArtLaibsGhost]

You don't believe Wolf's portal additions will play? Is that right? Then why were they brought in? To sit? Uh, no.

Our spring starters-

Shiyazh Pete (LT)- Big guy with great frame, long levers, long arms, and pretty good feet. At the NM St level, he was dominant. SEC is better football, of course, so he has to step up. But UK was not the only SEC program that wanted him. Since the liberalized transfer rules were introduced, many linemen from elsewhere have transfered up to the SEC and done well (Landon Dickerson, CamRon Johnson, O'Cyrus Torrence, and Wendell Moe, for example). Pete won the starting LT job in spring practice, so he will play. How well he plays will ultimately go a long way to determine whether UK's offense is successful. But I have no doubt he is a step or two up from Marques Cox, who had a poor 2024 season but will nonetheless participate in an NFL camp.

Alex Wollschlaeger (RT)- Former member of the all-MAC team. Another long body with long arms and good feet. Has a history of being an effective run and pass blocker. Had a great spring and won a starting job, so he will play. Other SEC teams also wanted him.

Joshua Braun (LG)- former all-SEC player at AR. Power downhill blocker who probably has an NFL future. One other website has predicted he will be the best player on UK's offense. So he will obviously play.

Jalen Farmer (RG)- former transfer from FL who started for UK in 2024 and was our most effective offensive lineman. Still just a Jr. Good downhill blocker but also an effective pass blocker. May have an NFL future.

Jaden Burton (C)- UK beat out Clemson and several SEC programs to sign the 4 star prospect. He was undersized for an SEC lineman and has has multiple position coaches, so has been slow to develop. But he has added 15# and moved inside to C. Burton is a player habitually negative UK fans love to bash and throw under the bus. But players improve over time, and Burton had a strong spring. Has a chance now for vindication, and has the athleticism to block LBs at the 2nd level.

The as-yet unspoken truth here is that Stoops and Wolf have rebuilt their bench with multiple younger players with size and multiple years of eligibility remaining. Aba Selm, Jayden Clark, Malachi Wood, Darrin Strey, Jermiel Atkins, Cameron Jones, Rob Fogler, and Evan Wibberley all have opportunities to start in future seasons.

This kind of quality OL depth is previously unknown at UK. Wolf has a long fund of SEC coaching experience and has put many players in the NFL draft. There is no question that our 2025 OL is better. My remaining questions pertain mainly to the ILBs.

I was with you till you got to Burton. Come on man.

 

[bigblueinsanity]

Imo we will be better because we'll have guys bought in instead if guys cashing nil checks and sitting every time they had a hangnail.

 

[Pelosigalore]

My opinion is that 25 cant be worse than 24
Not possible

 

[Coach Marrow]

Seems like a real hodgepodge group. Hopefully Shiyazh Pete and one or two others will be good.

 

[blue cincy]

OLINE is 1 part size, 1 part talent, 1 part drive, 1 part brains and 6 parts attitude to make the whole 10 parts. 60% of this man called the offense lineman needs to be a mean nasty attitude. If Woff can get these most out of the first 4 things and the players themselves decide to protect the guy behind them like it is their mother, then we will be fine. If that last part breaks down then we will have issues no matter the rest.

 

[BigTyrone]

What is an aluminum friend?

Here’s a hint: He wants a heart more than anything.

 

[Rembrandt90]

Seems like a real hodgepodge group. Hopefully Shiyazh Pete and one or two others will be good.

We already know they are good. Braun has already been all SEC. Wollschlaeger was all-MAC and had multiple SEC and B10 teams offering. You are exactly right to name Shirazh Pete. He is our LT so his performance will be crucial next fall. At NM St, Pete was very good, which is why multiple SEC teams wanted him. He is a tall player with long arms and good feet. Of course, NM St is not in the SEC, so Pete will have to step up. OL chemistry is tough because they had only one spring practice to work together and gel as a unit.

But I will just say this much. In 2024, our OL was the #1 team liability. In 2025, our OL will not be a liability. It will be improved. Maybe way improved. And there is every reason to believe Calzada will be a quicker decision maker than Vandagriff was. Our 2025 RB room is obviously deeper and better than in 2024. This is a better team than last year, and our offense will score more points.

How much better? That will depend on our ILBs. Our ILBs are the key to this season. Our defense must get off the field on 3rd downs. Godfrey, Watson, Rayner, Afari, and Devin Smith have to step up and perform. If they do, this team will surprise a lot of people. But if they don't, it won't take SEC OCs very long to figure out how to attack us.

 

[Rembrandt90]

I was with you till you got to Burton. Come on man.

I will repeat what I said in the post: Burton is a player habitually negative UK fans love to bash and throw under the bus. But players improve over time, and Burton had a strong spring.

Factors that lead to improvement are not linear. Many UK fans do not fundamentally understand that offensive linemen improve on a nonlinear pace over a period of 5 years. When Burton got to campus as a freshman, he weighed 275#. UK beat out Clemson and several elite SEC programs to get him, which means all of those other coaching staffs saw his talent and projectability. It took Burton 4 years to >300#. Last year, he played on the worst UK OL I have seen in more than a decade, but the fault for that fell primarily on OTs Gerald Mincey, Marques Cox, and Courtland Ford. Burton weighs >310# now. He has continued to work. He practiced well this spring and beat out Evan Wibberley for the starting C job. Wibberley had been brought in from the transfer portal to start, and is being paid well to be here. But Burton took that job. I respect that. You don't. C'est la vie.

 

[Rembrandt90]

90, we know your going to post practical relative info, and we thank you for that. One thing I think will help tremendously is the complete attitude change, there was a couple of cancers that have moved on, thank goodness, that affected the whole team.

I in no way am any type of insider but have aluminum friends who tell me this team is so much closer and motivated than last years team, much more focused, hard working and want to prove something. We'll find out in the fall.

Certainly true.

 

[Rembrandt90]

You cannot read. I'm clearly talking about Cam Jones and Rob Fogler. Hence the word "new". And if you think those guys will start in the future then UK Football is officially cooked.


new
/no͞o/
adjective

1. 1.
   not existing before; made, introduced, or discovered recently or now for the first time.

How do you know that? How much of their film have you watched? How much scout reading have you done on them? They were brought in here for four reasons. They have excellent, long frames although they need to add more muscle. On film, they show athleticism and move their feet well. They have multiple seasons of eligibility remaining, so they should still be here after Pete and Wollschlaeger have used up their eligibility. And they are inexpensive because they haven't yet developed any bargaining leverage. Take note of this part too. This is exactly how Zion Childress, Daveran Rayner, and MiQuise Grace were brought in here from the portal. Same low risk-high reward evaluation for multi-season development. Our coaches hit on some of these and miss on some others, but they are really pretty good on evaluation and projection. They really needed the OL depth, and these are good moves to acquire athletes with developmental measurables. Sensible, cost-effective.

And BTW, it is not necessary to patronize me with the silly dictionary stuff just because I disagree with your assessment. If you can rationally defend your low opinions of Fogler and Jones, that's one thing, and I am glad to participate in that discussion. But if you patronize just because you cannot tolerate other points of view, that's another thing.

 

[TuckyFB]

How do you know that? How much of their film have you watched? How much scout reading have you done on them? They were brought in here for four reasons. They have excellent, long frames although they need to add more muscle. On film, they show athleticism and move their feet well. They have multiple seasons of eligibility remaining, so they should still be here after Pete and Wollschlaeger have used up their eligibility. And they are inexpensive because they haven't yet developed any bargaining leverage. Take note of this part too. This is exactly how Zion Childress, Daveran Rayner, and MiQuise Grace were brought in here from the portal. Same low risk-high reward evaluation for multi-season development. Our coaches hit on some of these and miss on some others, but they are really pretty good on evaluation and projection. They really needed the OL depth, and these are good moves to acquire athletes with developmental measurables. Sensible, cost-effective.

And BTW, it is not necessary to patronize me with the silly dictionary stuff just because I disagree with your assessment. If you can rationally defend your low opinions of Fogler and Jones, that's one thing, and I am glad to participate in that discussion. But if you patronize just because you cannot tolerate other points of view, that's another thing.

Buddy, YOU were the one who started the patronizing. Are you unaware of what you're typing?

A JMU tackle who played in ONE game at JMU is going to start in the SEC? Who we beat out S Miss and Akron for.

A Ball St tackle who didn't play at ALL at Ball State in 2 years is going to start in the SEC? I can't find who we beat out for him but it was probably MAC/Sun Belt teams.

There's a reason WHY these guys couldn't start at mid-majors.

 

[Grumpyolddawg]

Fans here have been posting how CMS didn't care anymore and was just staying for a payday. He and the rest of the staff worked their rears off all off season counting the hs class brought in 40+ new faces. Braum is a multi year starter who performed well enough to be all SEC. He would be an upgrade for alot of teams. I won't be as confident about the group transfers but Braum is already all SEC level.

Gilmore transferred and returned, and has been welcomed back, why has CMS who has done far more than Gilmore ever has or will not be given the same courtesy? Gilmore had actually left and at another school until he was dismissed, all CMS did was listen to someone offering more money, something 99% of the posters here would do.

 

[bigblueinsanity]

I will repeat what I said in the post: Burton is a player habitually negative UK fans love to bash and throw under the bus. But players improve over time, and Burton had a strong spring.

Factors that lead to improvement are not linear. Many UK fans do not fundamentally understand that offensive linemen improve on a nonlinear pace over a period of 5 years. When Burton got to campus as a freshman, he weighed 275#. UK beat out Clemson and several elite SEC programs to get him, which means all of those other coaching staffs saw his talent and projectability. It took Burton 4 years to >300#. Last year, he played on the worst UK OL I have seen in more than a decade, but the fault for that fell primarily on OTs Gerald Mincey, Marques Cox, and Courtland Ford. Burton weighs >310# now. He has continued to work. He practiced well this spring and beat out Evan Wibberley for the starting C job. Wibberley had been brought in from the transfer portal to start, and is being paid well to be here. But Burton took that job. I respect that. You don't. C'est la vie.

Burton is an underperformer here his entire career. Thats just a fact. It isn't throwing him under the bus.

I called that out from his first unearned bit of pt where the staff blamed all his ineptitude on wohlabaugh, when it was both of them struggling. Then rather than replace burton, they hampered a veteran LG future by pushing him to LT.

Nowadays Burton us an ok player but worthy of zero praise. He and cox were two birds of the same feather. It was embarrassing to see them stand straight up on qb sneaks and cause us to lose yards on that play.

Maybe this will be his year. Hope so.

 

[Rembrandt90]

Buddy, YOU were the one who started the patronizing. Are you unaware of what you're typing?

A JMU tackle who played in ONE game at JMU is going to start in the SEC? Who we beat out S Miss and Akron for.

A Ball St tackle who didn't play at ALL at Ball State is going to start in the SEC? I can't find who we beat out for him but it was probably MAC/Sun Belt teams.

There's a reason WHY these guys couldn't start at mid-majors.

They are huge, young players with multiple seasons of eligibility left. Our coaches think they are projectable. Have you watched film or studied these players enough to know our coaches are wrong? Or is it just a quick look at their online player ratings? If it is the latter, how did Josh Allen, Benny Snell, Bunch Stallings, or Luke Fortner succeed? That's a perfectly reasonable question to pose in response to what you have posted.

As for your continuing efforts to point fingers and insult, you are wasting your time. Confrontational posters are so common on this website that I don't care. A long time ago, I learned that angry posters hurl insults when they camnot defend their opinions civilly. Nobody cares.

 

[TuckyFB]

They are huge, young players with multiple seasons of eligibility left. Our coaches think they are projectable. Have you watched film or studied these players enough to know our coaches are wrong? Or is it just a quick look at their online player ratings? If it is the latter, how did Josh Allen, Benny Snell, Bunch Stallings, or Luke Fortner succeed? That's a perfectly reasonable question to pose in response to what you have posted.

As for your continuing efforts to point fingers and insult, you are wasting your time. Confrontational posters are so common on this website that I don't care. A long time ago, I learned that angry posters hurl insults when they camnot defend their opinions civilly. Nobody cares.

There's a huge difference in guys who were overrecruited and guys who went to mid-majors and didn't play at all or played one game. How I am "confrontational"? I haven't insulted you at all.

And I literally just defended my opinion in my last post.

Edit: Also, yes they have size but if they can't use that size to get on the field at the MID-MAJOR level, then they're never going to play in the SEC.

 

[Rembrandt90]

Burton is an underperformer here his entire career. Thats just a fact.

Yes, it is. We agree there.

It isn't throwing him under the bus.

Denying that Burton can improve after a 15# offseason gain in muscle and after a positive spring practice is denial. It is unnecessary piling on. Most of all, it is not how football works. I can give you examples of linemen who improved greatly from one season to the next. Duncan, Toth, Fortner, Flax, others. I hope Burton is next. He has worked hard.

I called that out from his first unearned bit of pt where the staff blamed all his ineptitude on wohlabaugh, when it was both of them struggling. Then rather than replace burton, they hampered a veteran LG future by pushing him to LT.

You mean Kenneth Horsey? I agree that Horsey was not a very good LT, although he was actually a very good LG. He had the strength to play LG, but he didn't have the length or lateral quickness to play LT. But it didn't happen like you are saying. In our bowl game, Horsey was moved outside to LT because Dare Rosenthal declined to play. Moving Horsey outside was the best they could do for their bowl game on a couple of weeks' notice after Rosenthal bolted early for the draft. During the following season, Horsey played LT because Deondre Buford lost his starting job. While it's true that Jaden Burton did not play very well that season, you are obviously incorrect in suggesting our staff moved Horsey outside because they insisted on playing Burton. But it is correct to say Zach Yenser was in his 1st season as the position coach and probably didn't know what he was doing. And if they had better linemen on the roster at the time, they might have had better solutions. I was never a fan of Yenser, and you are getting at just one of my reasons. But that was also not a strong period of time for recruitment of OL prospects. There wasn't enough talent, while Burton (unfortunately) had projectable talent but just wasn't strong enough at that stage of development.

Nowadays Burton us an ok player but worthy of zero praise.

I haven't praised him. I don't know where that is coming from. I only said players can improve from one season to the next. And that is clearly true.

He and cox were two birds of the same feather.

Interesting that you concede that point, whether true or not. Eli Cox is now in the Houston Texans NFL camp. NFL GMs don't waste those opportunities.

Maybe this will be his year. Hope so.

Me too. The rest of our OL has clearly improved. Starting C is an important job, so Burton has his shot at redemption now. If he succeeds, terrific. If not, then he isn't the only C on our roster. But he won the job in spring practice after gaining 15# of muscle and studying a lot of film. We both know that's how it works.

 

[Rembrandt90]

There's a huge difference in guys who were overrecruited and guys who went to mid-majors and didn't play at all or played one game.

Generally true for sure. But freshmen and sophomores are developmental, and can be scouted and evaluated for projectability. That's what coaches do. SEC coaches are working in the SEC for a reason. Some of these young players are still growing and developing, which appears to have been the case here. Did you know this? When an OT is 6'7" and displays athleticism, projectability becomes the big question. These guys weren't as big in hs. They have grown. They have been recruited for development, not to start immediately. Both of our 2025 starting OT jobs have been won by seniors. A year from now, the senior starters will be gone. Wolf has decades of player evaluation experience and has even been a head coach and an OC. What is the problem with taking Jones and Fogler and developing them this year? They didn't have any NIL leverage precisely because they haven't had any exposure yet. So it didn't cost anything. If they are successful, great. And they beef up the practice roster. But if unsuccessful, where is the loss? What is to lose?

BTW, the June OV list tells us that our 2026 class will be OL heavy. That's also because of Wolf.

How I am "confrontational"? I haven't insulted you at all.

People believe what they want to believe. I didn't imagine it.

Buddy! "You cannot read." Then, quoting the dictionary definition of "new"? Really? LOL.

Also, yes they have size but if they can't use that size to get on the field at the MID-MAJOR level, then they're never going to play in the SEC.

Maybe you are right. Maybe they couldn't play in the MAC so they can't play in the SEC either. Superficially, I can see how someone would look at it that way.

But, OTOH, our coaches think Jones and Fogler belong here. Our coaches are professional evaluators. Both Jones and Fogler have grown in height since hs. At the very least, they will be practice fodder and they are cheap pickups. What is lost? I won't make a list here, because I have to go run an errand. But other young players with similar profiles have gone from MAC to B10 and SEC and developed into good major conference players. Zion Childress started out at TX St and became a two year starting SEC strong safety despite coming to UK too small.
Our coaches are pretty good at this, and they have nothing to lose here. FWIW, I have watched film and I like Jones better. But I could be wrong.

 

[K_TIME]

Imo we will be better because we'll have guys bought in instead if guys cashing nil checks and sitting every time they had a hangnail.

How do we know that is the case.....The entire Oline was bought thru NIL

 

[bigblueinsanity]

Yes, it is. We agree there.



Denying that Burton can improve after a 15# offseason gain in muscle and after a positive spring practice is denial. It is unnecessary piling on. Most of all, it is not how football works. I can give you examples of linemen who improved greatly from one season to the next. Duncan, Toth, Fortner, Flax, others. I hope Burton is next. He has worked hard.



You mean Kenneth Horsey? I agree that Horsey was not a very good LT, although he was actually a very good LG. He had the strength to play LG, but he didn't have the length or lateral quickness to play LT. But it didn't happen like you are saying. In our bowl game, Horsey was moved outside to LT because Dare Rosenthal declined to play. Moving Horsey outside was the best they could do for their bowl game on a couple of weeks' notice after Rosenthal bolted early for the draft. During the following season, Horsey played LT because Deondre Buford lost his starting job. While it's true that Jaden Burton did not play very well that season, you are obviously incorrect in suggesting our staff moved Horsey outside because they insisted on playing Burton. But it is correct to say Zach Yenser was in his 1st season as the position coach and probably didn't know what he was doing. And if they had better linemen on the roster at the time, they might have had better solutions. I was never a fan of Yenser, and you are getting at just one of my reasons. But that was also not a strong period of time for recruitment of OL prospects. There wasn't enough talent, while Burton (unfortunately) had projectable talent but just wasn't strong enough at that stage of development.



I haven't praised him. I don't know where that is coming from. I only said players can improve from one season to the next. And that is clearly true.



Interesting that you concede that point, whether true or not. Eli Cox is now in the Houston Texans NFL camp. NFL GMs don't waste those opportunities.



Me too. The rest of our OL has clearly improved. Starting C is an important job, so Burton has his shot at redemption now. If he succeeds, terrific. If not, then he isn't the only C on our roster. But he won the job in spring practice after gaining 15# of muscle and studying a lot of film. We both know that's how it works.

Yes horsey. We suffered because we sacrificed horsey instead of having jager sit.

I didn't say you specifically.

Im glad cox is getting his chance but he played embarrassingly high.

How do we know that is the case.....The entire Oline was bought thru NIL

We don't. That's why i said jmo. Its jmo because typically guys transferring from low to high dont have an entitlement mentality. Of course there are exceptions. Hopefully it won't be us.

 

[ArtLaibsGhost]

We already know they are good. Braun has already been all SEC. Wollschlaeger was all-MAC and had multiple SEC and B10 teams offering. You are exactly right to name Shirazh Pete. He is our LT so his performance will be crucial next fall. At NM St, Pete was very good, which is why multiple SEC teams wanted him. He is a tall player with long arms and good feet. Of course, NM St is not in the SEC, so Pete will have to step up. OL chemistry is tough because they had only one spring practice to work together and gel as a unit.

But I will just say this much. In 2024, our OL was the #1 team liability. In 2025, our OL will not be a liability. It will be improved. Maybe way improved. And there is every reason to believe Calzada will be a quicker decision maker than Vandagriff was. Our 2025 RB room is obviously deeper and better than in 2024. This is a better team than last year, and our offense will score more points.

How much better? That will depend on our ILBs. Our ILBs are the key to this season. Our defense must get off the field on 3rd downs. Godfrey, Watson, Rayner, Afari, and Devin Smith have to step up and perform. If they do, this team will surprise a lot of people. But if they don't, it won't take SEC OCs very long to figure out how to attack us.

So his " good spring" is supposed to negate his brutally inadequate play in games the last few years?

 

[Bereacat420]

Fans here have been posting how CMS didn't care anymore and was just staying for a payday. He and the rest of the staff worked their rears off all off season counting the hs class brought in 40+ new faces. Braum is a multi year starter who performed well enough to be all SEC. He would be an upgrade for alot of teams. I won't be as confident about the group transfers but Braum is already all SEC level.

Gilmore transferred and returned, and has been welcomed back, why has CMS who has done far more than Gilmore ever has or will not be given the same courtesy? Gilmore had actually left and at another school until he was dismissed, all CMS did was listen to someone offering more money, something 99% of the posters here would do.

With some what you’re saying is true. I believe he peaked. When it looked like aTm would hire him, I was glad. It wasn’t because I don’t like stoops but I felt like that was as high as he could take UK. I accepted him back, though no one would care if I didn’t. I just believe we have seen his best, and now we are on the back side of that.

 

[Cole World]

How do we know that is the case.....The entire Oline was bought thru NIL

Every player is? What kind of argument is that

 

[Rembrandt90]

Fans here have been posting how CMS didn't care anymore and was just staying for a payday. He and the rest of the staff worked their rears off all off season counting the hs class brought in 40+ new faces. Braum is a multi year starter who performed well enough to be all SEC. He would be an upgrade for alot of teams. I won't be as confident about the group transfers but Braum is already all SEC level.

Gilmore transferred and returned, and has been welcomed back, why has CMS who has done far more than Gilmore ever has or will not be given the same courtesy? Gilmore had actually left and at another school until he was dismissed, all CMS did was listen to someone offering more money, something 99% of the posters here would do.

99%? Probably 100%, right?

Good post, very reasonable points made.

I'm open minded about 2025. Optimistic, hopeful, cognizant of the improvements. But also realistic about the high level of competition in the SEC.

If one runs down the list of 2024 losses, more than half of them got out of control due to blown assignments and Vandagriff's slow decisions in the pocket under pressure. Culminating in the loss to UL in which our team seemed to sleep through the game without any effort. That's how bad teams lose. I anticipate a different attitude next fall. If this team plays hard and assignment-sound, people will be shocked by the positive results because the talent has improved all over the field. However, half of the roster has turned over in a few months. It's not easy to manage that change, although it is a good thing in this instance. Can these guys gel and play hard for one another? IDK. Maybe. In the transfer portal era, that's the trick.

 

[Fadhi]

Every player is? What kind of argument is that

Not every player is getting the same amount of money

 

[Rembrandt90]

With some what you’re saying is true. I believe he peaked. When it looked like aTm would hire him, I was glad. It wasn’t because I don’t like stoops but I felt like that was as high as he could take UK. I accepted him back, though no one would care if I didn’t. I just believe we have seen his best, and now we are on the back side of that.

I am impressed by what Mark Stoops has accomplished this offseason. I won't equivocate about that, because he has worked his butt off to rebuild his roster and strengthen the culture. Will this translate to a better record next fall? On paper, it certainly should.

But SEC football games are not played on paper. A lot of it will come down to simple execution and physical man-on-man dominance.

I am hopeful. But last year was a big personal challenge for me because of my surgeries, and it sort of altered my perspective on survival and adaptation. Maybe Stoops peaked 2018-21. You could be right. Or not. Stoops is still a young coach in absolute terms. Other coaches at other times have adapted and made changes. Some people put that past Stoops but IDK why. It's possible. His pedigree and pride could drive him to another period of success. His brothers are trying to help him, and I know Mark and Mike have been in close touch with Bob throughout. But the scoreboard tells the truth. I am optimistic but I am not delusional. This is a heck of a challenge for a group of >80 players still getting to know each other. Could be a very good story. Or could be the end of an era.

 

[hmt5000]

What is an aluminum friend?

 

[hmt5000]

Fans here have been posting how CMS didn't care anymore and was just staying for a payday. He and the rest of the staff worked their rears off all off season counting the hs class brought in 40+ new faces. Braum is a multi year starter who performed well enough to be all SEC. He would be an upgrade for alot of teams. I won't be as confident about the group transfers but Braum is already all SEC level.

Gilmore transferred and returned, and has been welcomed back, why has CMS who has done far more than Gilmore ever has or will not be given the same courtesy? Gilmore had actually left and at another school until he was dismissed, all CMS did was listen to someone offering more money, something 99% of the posters here would do.

But I would follow the contract and notify my employer and do it the right way.

 

[bigblueinsanity]

So his " good spring" is supposed to negate his brutally inadequate play in games the last few years?

He had a good spring every year yet never translates.

Not every player is getting the same amount of money

Nor transfers in from the same circumstances. The last batch of nil transfers mostly thought they were too good for uk and half assed. I say mostly because the GA guys definitely played hard. The rest just took the money. The RT barely played and sat out every time he stubbed his toe. Didn't prevent him from going to the concession stand during the game though.

That doesn't even count at least one diva WR who we had to coddle and make sure he got loads of touches. Or the backup qb we brought here who we apparently also promised a certain amount of snaps. Those touches completely derailed the offense.

Most of the new guys are transferring up. They shouldn't have the sense of entitlement. They should be ready to work and show they belong.

I don't expect many wins this season. The competition is just brutal. 4-6 wins would be a good year. I just want to see us compete. We gave up way too easy in some games, especially UL.

 

[Blueaz]

In 2024, I watched less football than I have in years, so I didn't see enough in game or even read as much on here to have much of a feel at all about the team.

However, I have noticed that the OL room (along with several other positions) is almost a complete overhaul. So, for those that kept up with spring practice (and are also exponentially more knowledgeable about football than me anyway), what is the impression/expectation level heading into the fall?

If the depth chart is something like the following, does it seem pretty thin for depth to anyone else?
LT: Pete, Wood
LG: Braun, Fogler (if he doesn't have the quickness to play OT in the SEC, maybe steps in as a big OG?)
OC: Burton, Wibberley (whoever ends up at OC #2 probably rotates as backup OG as well?)
RG: Farmer, Selm
RT: Wollschlaeger, Fogler, New commit Cam Jones?

Incoming FR:
OT: Jermiel Atkins, Darrin Strey
iOL: Jayden Clark,
OT vs iOL: Bryan Auguste

I will let you know week one
hopefully, they are getting coached up

 

[Grumpyolddawg]

But I would follow the contract and notify my employer and do it the right way.

Do you know he didn't? ADs normally ask for permission to speak to another school's coaches. But apparently there wasn't anything in his contract forbidding it because the AD kept him.

 

[Bereacat420]

Do you know he didn't? ADs normally ask for permission to speak to another school's coaches. But apparently there wasn't anything in his contract forbidding it because the AD kept him.

There was wording in his contract. I had thought he asked for permission

 

[CB3UK]

Like everything else this season, show me. I'll believe it when I see it. I like Stoops so I'm rooting for this thing to get turned around.