I've said before, I think everyone around the program realizes that this year, it's not about winning the press conference. It's not about impressing folks with offseason headlines, and folks are more focused than ever on just getting it right internally regardless of the outside conversation, because the tone did take a change last year.
With that said, here are some of the things I've heard beyond isolated mentions, more trends based on what multiple folks have said.
** Nothing overly strong on Zach Calzada one way or the other. Everyone I've spoken to has mentioned the talent and the overall experience but also the need for more reps in the system he's going to be running. Calzada was occasionally better than the talent around him at Texas A&M and sometimes probably not as good, but he's still largely going to be the result of the overall operation and that has been a near total overhaul.
** Cutter Boley has drawn some strong mentions. He's added some weight. Had a few appearances last year with mixed results but definitely promising at times. The assumption has been Calzada would come in as the odds-on favorite to start and I haven't heard anything about the QB situation but have heard Boley's had some very bright moments.
** The biggest question on the team is once again the running back position. Jamarion Wilcox has the talent and they will once again rely on him to provide the chunk plays. He has to be locked in and continue to mature in the program. Dante Dowdell may be a bit like Chip Trayanum. He moves the pile but some of the advanced numbers coming in were not great if you put stock in that. He is very much a straight line guy so has a niche but it's a niche. Jason Patterson is one back I've heard good things about. I wouldn't say he's going to lead the team in carries, but he could develop as a 2 or 3 that sees a real workload at times this year more than he's probably talked about.
** Fred Farrier has had a solid spring to date. The receiver that has really impressed from what I've heard is freshman DJ Miller from St. Louis. He's a good athlete and is probably going to be featured at times, at this rate.
** The tight end unit figures to be strong on the blocking side. Hunter Boyer didn't play a ton at Illinois but I sense they feel they got an evaluation steal there on a guy who is 6'7, 265. Kattus has been solid and Willie Rodriguez is someone they're expecting a big step forward from.
** The offensive line is probably the unit that has been the most improved to date. It was a huge emphasis in the portal so you would expect that but from what I've heard from multiple people, this group has looked pretty strong in camp so far. They have more depth for competition and to withstand an injury. These guys are very experienced and mature, good guys too.
** David Gusta from Wazzu gets a ton of pressure in the backfield. Not a big sack guy but he gets serious push. Even with UK's offensive line looking improved I've heard that Gusta has caused real problems. Mi'Quise Grace from South Dakota has also factored in heavily. Talking about the new guys up front here. Haven't heard much about the linebackers at this point but that doesn't mean anything good or bad.
** JQ Hardaway and DJ Waller have looked pretty solid at corner from what I've heard. I do think you have to ask how much they are being pushed by Kentucky's receiver room compared to what they will see in the SEC but they're expecting solid play from those two in addition to many of the younger guys.
With that said, here are some of the things I've heard beyond isolated mentions, more trends based on what multiple folks have said.
** Nothing overly strong on Zach Calzada one way or the other. Everyone I've spoken to has mentioned the talent and the overall experience but also the need for more reps in the system he's going to be running. Calzada was occasionally better than the talent around him at Texas A&M and sometimes probably not as good, but he's still largely going to be the result of the overall operation and that has been a near total overhaul.
** Cutter Boley has drawn some strong mentions. He's added some weight. Had a few appearances last year with mixed results but definitely promising at times. The assumption has been Calzada would come in as the odds-on favorite to start and I haven't heard anything about the QB situation but have heard Boley's had some very bright moments.
** The biggest question on the team is once again the running back position. Jamarion Wilcox has the talent and they will once again rely on him to provide the chunk plays. He has to be locked in and continue to mature in the program. Dante Dowdell may be a bit like Chip Trayanum. He moves the pile but some of the advanced numbers coming in were not great if you put stock in that. He is very much a straight line guy so has a niche but it's a niche. Jason Patterson is one back I've heard good things about. I wouldn't say he's going to lead the team in carries, but he could develop as a 2 or 3 that sees a real workload at times this year more than he's probably talked about.
** Fred Farrier has had a solid spring to date. The receiver that has really impressed from what I've heard is freshman DJ Miller from St. Louis. He's a good athlete and is probably going to be featured at times, at this rate.
** The tight end unit figures to be strong on the blocking side. Hunter Boyer didn't play a ton at Illinois but I sense they feel they got an evaluation steal there on a guy who is 6'7, 265. Kattus has been solid and Willie Rodriguez is someone they're expecting a big step forward from.
** The offensive line is probably the unit that has been the most improved to date. It was a huge emphasis in the portal so you would expect that but from what I've heard from multiple people, this group has looked pretty strong in camp so far. They have more depth for competition and to withstand an injury. These guys are very experienced and mature, good guys too.
** David Gusta from Wazzu gets a ton of pressure in the backfield. Not a big sack guy but he gets serious push. Even with UK's offensive line looking improved I've heard that Gusta has caused real problems. Mi'Quise Grace from South Dakota has also factored in heavily. Talking about the new guys up front here. Haven't heard much about the linebackers at this point but that doesn't mean anything good or bad.
** JQ Hardaway and DJ Waller have looked pretty solid at corner from what I've heard. I do think you have to ask how much they are being pushed by Kentucky's receiver room compared to what they will see in the SEC but they're expecting solid play from those two in addition to many of the younger guys.
