MARK STOOPS Q&A:
* A little surprised how smoothly things went with the earlier signing day. Maybe we should have been doing this all along.
* We have 20 signees now, anticipate one more.
* Year didn’t go the way we wanted it to go, but I’ve been working around the clock to build for the future. Some “difference makers” in this group.
* A lot still to be resolved with the portal. Focusing on keeping quality people, character in the program.
* Players sometimes see opportunity, and that can help you when you have a rough season like this.
* Let’s be honest: We didn’t have a very good year, so I’m excited about change.
* Martels Carter is a guy who could come in and play right away.
* On QB room moving forward… Probably have to go get one guy out of the portal for stability.
* Likes the big, physical guys they’ve added on the lines and the length.
* Darrin Strey is an OL they have loved since the very beginning. Working hard to get the OL fixed for next year and the future, and he’s a big part of that.
* Says Chip Trayanum wants to come back and should be 100% healthy.
* Mikkel Skinner is “different” at TE. He’s a guy who can be multiple, could line up at WR if you needed him to. We’ll see where his body goes, but very athletic guy.
* Probably going to have a few guys enter the portal who hurt, but it’s going to part of the process for this roster. I’ve met with a good core group of players, have a few more to go.
* On the QBs… So much film on Stone Saunders. Should break the all-time PA yards record. Already has the TD record. He’s a guy that doesn’t take long when you turn on the film to see the ability. Brennen Ward impressed us with his skill set when we saw him in person. Didn’t play on a team that allowed him to show it fully.
* Thanked Daikiel Shorts for what he did, had a big buyout because UK wanted a two-year commitment at the very least, but notes that some schools are willing to write a big check to cover that. Says he’ll find another good one for that position.
* Ends with “Nobody panic. We’re going to have a better football team, alright?”
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VINCE MARROW Q&A:
* On Skinner… The best athletic TE I've signed since I've been here. 6-4, 228, can really run. South Carolina and Ohio State really came after him. I was holding my breath on that one. Very excited about him.
* On the TE room and guys entering the portal… Says he understands. Had a lot of good guys in that room, and they want a chance to get the ball. Like what they’ll have with Kattus, Rodriguez, Skinner.
* On the Kattus family situation… It was his dream school and our season wasn’t great, so a tough situation. “And you never know, sometimes things come full circle.”
* On Martels Carter… We’re getting a good kid there. I love his leadership qualities. Last guy I signed like this was Mike Edwards. Really good ball skills.
* Asked who his sleeper is…. Simmons has 4 stars, so probably doesn’t qualify, but he’s a big-time athlete. 10.6 100 guy. Should be a great return man.
* When the portal opens, you’ll be really surprised at who wants to come here. “Recruiting ain’t never gonna be an issue here, I can promise you that.” I don’t plan on being at home on Christmas the next couple of years.
* On Boyle County’s Mantavin Quisenberry and his size… Everyone has always compared guys like him to Wan’Dale, sometimes inaccurately, but this kid is the closest thing to Wan’Dale I’ve seen. Went up and beat one of Ohio’s best programs, St. X, and he was the best player on the field. That says a lot.
* On OL Jeremie’s Atkins… That’s what an SEC lineman looks like. Big, long kid.
* Been doing more vetting, digging into players’ background and character in this class. When guys are almost “pro” now, making a lot of money, you have to treat it more like the NFL.
* On money situation for the Portal, NIL… I know our funding support is where it should be now. Very confident in the operation now. We’re ready to go attack it.
* Brennen Ward reminds him a bit of Dak Prescott.
