** Team stuff first. Still expecting UK to build around BVG for next season as said recently. But the reality is they are going to need to add a lot of help. I wouldn't be surprised if they go for a RB1 and maybe a WR1 and WR2 when it's all said and done. As said elsewhere, they probably go get a starting center, a starting tackle, and another developmental tackle from the portal. That's what the need is on that side of the ball. They have to get difference-makers who actually pan out.
** From my posts and tweets earlier, I will lay my position out:
It does not seem like things are heading in a good direction. In fact, if you think the best thing is for a fresh start, I think that's within the range of reasonable responses. If you don't think there's any good evidence that Stoops is moving this in the right direction, that the offense is broken beyond repair, that the exodus after this year will only make it harder - I get it.
My point is only that Stoops has the leverage and if he wants to stay, he's going to stay. Given that, it's worth talking about what moves they're going to be making. I think he's done enough at Kentucky to deserve another year to try to get it moving back in the right direction and the standard should be you can't have another year like this one. Taking stock of the overall improvements and achievements over the last decade, I think that's fair - that's my opinion, it's not "carrying water". Engage on the merits.
Whoever the next coach is - and I believe it will be Jon Sumrall, whether it's one year, two, three or five - they're going to face the same uphill challenges that Stoops has, and it's going to be against the odds for everyone. If you look at some of the tenures of other coaches who have had longevity at one place, Ferentz at Iowa for instance, there have indeed been up periods and down periods. Everybody wants an upward trajectory, of course, but 7-6 and 7-6 followed by a losing record isn't an open-shut "have to move on" in my mind. But I realize that reasonable people do disagree, all I ask is that you engage on the merits instead of assuming bad faith.
** UK has to fix the OL of course. The hope is that Malachi Wood and Jalen Farmer gained valuable experience and they make good moves in the portal. Of course it will not be easy, it's been a long-running attempt at a fix now.
** Do expect a lot of $$ to free up this offseason so they will have the ability to make substantial moves at several positions and I think they will be in the running for some big-time players. But does that mean it will be good enough next year? Totally fair to ask, and I think next year needs to be substantially better assuming Stoops is back.
** Chaz Coleman committed to Penn State, which isn't a total surprise. We knew he was going to be there this weekend and they're riding a lot of momentum at the moment. UK is in a good position to hold onto Cedric Works but I wouldn't be surprised if they try to bring in another edge defender now.
** As you probably saw WR commit Ja'kayden Ferguson put out a picture of himself in Kentucky gear which seems to be a good sign as to their chances at holding onto him.
** Four-star DL Christian Ingram is still strongly considering Kentucky, I am told, but have not logged a pick. Clemson was a school that heavily recruited him but the Tigers didn't make his top five, which now consists of UK, UGA, Michigan, Vanderbilt, and South Carolina. My understanding is that Kentucky was in a strong position going into his recent visit to Michigan. He did not announce that UM was his favorite after that trip and his Twitter profile picture still includes a Kentucky jersey.
** New offer out to a younger relative of Steven Soles, but an 8th grader.
** We profiled NC State WR commit Jamar Browder when Kentucky extended that offer, just before Montavin Quisenberry flipped to the Wildcats. He has been to Michigan twice in the last month and I wouldn't bet against the Wolverines but in this day and age you pay attention until it's done. Continue to hear that WR De'jerrian Miller is the main WR they have been in the running for (which we also mentioned during the summer when they were after Andrew Marsh and others).
** From my posts and tweets earlier, I will lay my position out:
It does not seem like things are heading in a good direction. In fact, if you think the best thing is for a fresh start, I think that's within the range of reasonable responses. If you don't think there's any good evidence that Stoops is moving this in the right direction, that the offense is broken beyond repair, that the exodus after this year will only make it harder - I get it.
My point is only that Stoops has the leverage and if he wants to stay, he's going to stay. Given that, it's worth talking about what moves they're going to be making. I think he's done enough at Kentucky to deserve another year to try to get it moving back in the right direction and the standard should be you can't have another year like this one. Taking stock of the overall improvements and achievements over the last decade, I think that's fair - that's my opinion, it's not "carrying water". Engage on the merits.
Whoever the next coach is - and I believe it will be Jon Sumrall, whether it's one year, two, three or five - they're going to face the same uphill challenges that Stoops has, and it's going to be against the odds for everyone. If you look at some of the tenures of other coaches who have had longevity at one place, Ferentz at Iowa for instance, there have indeed been up periods and down periods. Everybody wants an upward trajectory, of course, but 7-6 and 7-6 followed by a losing record isn't an open-shut "have to move on" in my mind. But I realize that reasonable people do disagree, all I ask is that you engage on the merits instead of assuming bad faith.
** UK has to fix the OL of course. The hope is that Malachi Wood and Jalen Farmer gained valuable experience and they make good moves in the portal. Of course it will not be easy, it's been a long-running attempt at a fix now.
** Do expect a lot of $$ to free up this offseason so they will have the ability to make substantial moves at several positions and I think they will be in the running for some big-time players. But does that mean it will be good enough next year? Totally fair to ask, and I think next year needs to be substantially better assuming Stoops is back.
** Chaz Coleman committed to Penn State, which isn't a total surprise. We knew he was going to be there this weekend and they're riding a lot of momentum at the moment. UK is in a good position to hold onto Cedric Works but I wouldn't be surprised if they try to bring in another edge defender now.
** As you probably saw WR commit Ja'kayden Ferguson put out a picture of himself in Kentucky gear which seems to be a good sign as to their chances at holding onto him.
** Four-star DL Christian Ingram is still strongly considering Kentucky, I am told, but have not logged a pick. Clemson was a school that heavily recruited him but the Tigers didn't make his top five, which now consists of UK, UGA, Michigan, Vanderbilt, and South Carolina. My understanding is that Kentucky was in a strong position going into his recent visit to Michigan. He did not announce that UM was his favorite after that trip and his Twitter profile picture still includes a Kentucky jersey.
** New offer out to a younger relative of Steven Soles, but an 8th grader.
** We profiled NC State WR commit Jamar Browder when Kentucky extended that offer, just before Montavin Quisenberry flipped to the Wildcats. He has been to Michigan twice in the last month and I wouldn't bet against the Wolverines but in this day and age you pay attention until it's done. Continue to hear that WR De'jerrian Miller is the main WR they have been in the running for (which we also mentioned during the summer when they were after Andrew Marsh and others).
