This is going to be a very interesting offseason to say the least. There has obviously been a lot of talk about Stoops' future and my position has always been that the dynamics favored a return, even if there are many valid opinions about the future of the program and the concerns look justified at the moment. My belief right now is that a return is obviously the most likely scenario but the justifiable concerns about trajectory and the program's overall energy right now make the conversation inevitable within the fan base.
I've mentioned that I think Kentucky should look at the smaller school players more in the portal. I don't know how much that will be emphasized but I'm not the only one to hold that opinion. It is clear they have to fix the offensive line. I think that's the source of the vast majority of the issues. Most would probably agree with me on that. There were definitely other issues and offense in general has been an issue often under Stoops but the other issues are less glaring if the line had been more capable this year. I think the issue is primarily talent related.
My opinion has been they need a C, T, T from the portal and I think they should frankly be pretty aggressive in overhauling the room as much as possible, but that's my opinion only. You may end up having to invest a lot in a guy or two early even if it seems like too much (to speak bluntly, given where the sport is it), because there's no guarantee what is available later will be guys you can get or will be good enough. They have to have some substantial upgrades at a couple of spots. That's not writing anybody young off, it's just that you can't have a talent deficit overall paired with little depth and guys playing a year ahead of schedule. We've talked about all the reasons for the situation but the bottom line is it has been ongoing and it's been a hard fix. This has to be the paramount focus in the offseason.
I've recently heard more about UK not needing to take too many players from the portal. I think that could mean that even if there's a loss or two at receiver maybe they don't spend as much time worrying about that and lean on developing the promising younger guys. Defensively, that is where they may need to take more of an all around approach.
One person told me there is less concern about the defense because Brad White does a good job of finding guys who fit the system and develop at a good pace before needing to be featured. One of my own concerns, I guess you'd say, is that a lot of guys who haven't been pushed into bigger roles are going to be counted on quite a bit on defense next year. Soles, Gilbert, Jerod Smith, Addison. Especially on the front seven I would say, given the looming losses. I think you have to be pretty active in recruiting defensive portal players this offseason.
Then of course there's the talk about Brad White leaving. Collins would still be in a position to hold DC duties but White leaving would free up a lot of the assistant coaching pool and you'd have to weigh bringing in an OLB coach or more of a proven defensive coordinator type. Some have told me that "it's still Stoops' defense" while acknowledging White has been a really good fit for them, and has done a good job.
I did hear before the season that Barion Brown probably wouldn't come back for another year but still waiting to hear more on that.
I'll add that I would expect a major decision from a heavily featured current player after the season and it might surprise some.
I'm also going to be writing something about which players have improved or hurt their NIL standing this season because this is going to be a factor in player retention and movement everywhere. But the long and short of it is I expect Boley and Wilcox for sure on offense have improved theirs. Dane Key has. Barion has not met WR1 production and Ja'Mori Maclin's production is way down from where it was last year. The blame can be spread around for that and that will surely be a factor but you know this stuff is already swirling behind the scenes. On the whole, I think a lot of NIL will be freed up this offseason but in the big picture you have to hope the relationships are strong enough to keep the big donations coming after some disappointing recent results.
I've mentioned that I think Kentucky should look at the smaller school players more in the portal. I don't know how much that will be emphasized but I'm not the only one to hold that opinion. It is clear they have to fix the offensive line. I think that's the source of the vast majority of the issues. Most would probably agree with me on that. There were definitely other issues and offense in general has been an issue often under Stoops but the other issues are less glaring if the line had been more capable this year. I think the issue is primarily talent related.
My opinion has been they need a C, T, T from the portal and I think they should frankly be pretty aggressive in overhauling the room as much as possible, but that's my opinion only. You may end up having to invest a lot in a guy or two early even if it seems like too much (to speak bluntly, given where the sport is it), because there's no guarantee what is available later will be guys you can get or will be good enough. They have to have some substantial upgrades at a couple of spots. That's not writing anybody young off, it's just that you can't have a talent deficit overall paired with little depth and guys playing a year ahead of schedule. We've talked about all the reasons for the situation but the bottom line is it has been ongoing and it's been a hard fix. This has to be the paramount focus in the offseason.
I've recently heard more about UK not needing to take too many players from the portal. I think that could mean that even if there's a loss or two at receiver maybe they don't spend as much time worrying about that and lean on developing the promising younger guys. Defensively, that is where they may need to take more of an all around approach.
One person told me there is less concern about the defense because Brad White does a good job of finding guys who fit the system and develop at a good pace before needing to be featured. One of my own concerns, I guess you'd say, is that a lot of guys who haven't been pushed into bigger roles are going to be counted on quite a bit on defense next year. Soles, Gilbert, Jerod Smith, Addison. Especially on the front seven I would say, given the looming losses. I think you have to be pretty active in recruiting defensive portal players this offseason.
Then of course there's the talk about Brad White leaving. Collins would still be in a position to hold DC duties but White leaving would free up a lot of the assistant coaching pool and you'd have to weigh bringing in an OLB coach or more of a proven defensive coordinator type. Some have told me that "it's still Stoops' defense" while acknowledging White has been a really good fit for them, and has done a good job.
I did hear before the season that Barion Brown probably wouldn't come back for another year but still waiting to hear more on that.
I'll add that I would expect a major decision from a heavily featured current player after the season and it might surprise some.
I'm also going to be writing something about which players have improved or hurt their NIL standing this season because this is going to be a factor in player retention and movement everywhere. But the long and short of it is I expect Boley and Wilcox for sure on offense have improved theirs. Dane Key has. Barion has not met WR1 production and Ja'Mori Maclin's production is way down from where it was last year. The blame can be spread around for that and that will surely be a factor but you know this stuff is already swirling behind the scenes. On the whole, I think a lot of NIL will be freed up this offseason but in the big picture you have to hope the relationships are strong enough to keep the big donations coming after some disappointing recent results.
