Hello everybody. I’m over at Kroger Field today for UK Football Media Day. We’re going to get under way with Mark Stoops at approx 1 ET, and we’ll have both coordinators after he speaks. At around 2, we’ll be taking it outdoors to the field for player interviews. Refresh this thread often for the latest updates!
UK HEAD COACH MARK STOOPS Q&A:
* Stoops enters and says, “Packed house… a little different than 10 years ago.”
* Stoops sends out his thoughts and prayers to the people in eastern Kentucky struggling with flood damage. He says the team has some plans to help out the relief effort that will be announced in the near future.
* “Really excited about this football team.” A lot of confidence from staff all the way down through the players. Very strong leadership on this team. Has a lot with the culture that players who came before them established.
* Today was by far the best Day 1 practice that they’ve ever had, Stoops says. He adds that’s the way it should be with the experience they have and a veteran QB. Very clean. Overall execution was really good.
* No update on Chris Rodriguez’s status.
* Really high on the length and size of the DBs they’ve brought in. Mentioned Keidron Smith and Alex Afari in that regard. Both about 6-2, 205. Stoops says his philosophy is to start big, athletic guys like that at corner and see if they can handle it, then move down to other options like nickel and safety. It looks like Afari has some corner skills.
* On the RB room, even if it doesn’t include C-Rod…. Feels really good about it, all those guys. Very confident in that group.
* On his confidence level with OT… Very good. Main guys had a good spring, and Wohlabaugh has been a pleasant surprise, Stoops said.
* OL Josh Jones is out for the start of practice with an injury that will require surgery and keep him out for the year.
* Hogan and Sheron will battle for the backup QB position. Both made nice strides in the spring, Stoops said.
* On the exceptional depth at LB… Have some good, young players on the outside to back up Weaver and Wright. Inside is even more deep. They feel like that bunch could be 3 deep, and that’s a good thing because of the physical nature of the position.
* Not all the freshmen have reported yet, Stoops said. Did not elaborate.
* On Levis handling the hype… No issues because he’s very self-motivated, driven.
* Asked about the Cats’ physicality, Stoops says they have a pretty good idea about that. Just put on the film and watch, he says.
* TE group really deep and Rich Scangarello loves those guys, “so they should see a lot of action.” Nice to see Keaton Upshaw back out there after some bad injury luck in the past. Has that size you like. Big target, athletic.
* Worried about the players hearing too many nice things about UK Football? It’s a fine line, Stoops said, but the staff is always “very real” with them.
UK OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR RICH SCANGARELLO Q&A:
* Scangarello says backup battle at QB should be a good competition. Both guys are worthy of the job, had really good summers, huge strides from both. More than he expected, he added.
* On Will Levis’s offseason, including Derby, The Masters, SEC Media Days hype, etc… “Livin’ the dream!” (Laughs). But he handles it well. Right mindset. “He’s all ball right now.”
* Scangarello says he’s had talks with Levis about keeping himself healthy, and the QB knows how valuable he is to his team this season. He’s mindful of it.
* Scangarello more concerned about inside protection than outside. “I think our tackles and going to be pretty good. I think they’re going to surprise you.”
* Staff is hoping for the same kind of growth and ascension from Will Levis that we saw with a guy like Joe Burrow late in his college career.
* Asked how many WRs he likes to use in a game, Scangarello says it varies from week to week, but he noted that they have recruited well at that spot (and TE) and have a lot of guys with different traits you can mix and match. A bunch of hybrid guys.
* Asked if he’s found his George Kittle yet, Scangarello says he doesn’t want to single anyone out right now, but he’s “very, very excited” about that group. Thinks there’s going to be some guys play at the next level.
* On uncertainty with C-Rod and the RB room…. Likes the depth there, but it’s generally unproven, so those guys have a chance to make a big impression. Like the WRs and TEs, they’re all a little different. Some thumpers, some speed guys, some route runners and pass catchers.
* Backs didn’t catch a lot of balls last year, Scangarello says. He wants that to be incorporated a lot more this season. “We’ve got a group that can do that.”
DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR BRAD WHITE Q&A:
* Weaver has a lot more confidence going into this camp having more time pass since his surgery. It typically takes 16 months, even though he played a bit last season. He’s just now showing that twitch he had before the injury. “He’s brimming with confidence, playing fast.” A great thing to see.
* On the DBs they added in the transfer portal… It was a point of emphasis. They’ve really improved their depth. Have some guys who have played some football, like Keidron Smith. Smart, savvy. Good mix of older guys and younger guys now. Feels strong about that group, “but they have a lot to prove.”
* Asked about the interior D-Line, White says that might be the place for the best competition in camp. A lot of guys will rotate and get a bunch of snaps. There’s not a clear-cut guy like Josh Paschal who will have a huge workload. This will be more of a rotational group, but there is some talent there, and keeping them fresh could be a big key.
* On newcomer Alex Afari at DB… To walk in as a freshman and move the way he does at his size and length is “a rare blend.” Big task for staff to find a way to get him ready ASAP. “When you get special athletes, you have to find a way for them to contribute.”
* How do you replace the leadership of a Josh Paschal? In most years, that would be a huge void, White said, but when you walk into the defensive room and see the guys who have played significant roles for a long time, it makes you feel better.
* On the interior D-Line guys being lighter this year… S&C crew has done a great job with them. Too much is said about weight sometimes. It’s all about strength and power.
* On Octavius Oxendine…. He’s got to be the leader of that group. He’s trained so hard to get back to the point where he got injured. Trying to be smart with him and not push him too hard, too fast, but he looks really explosive and loose right now. They can move him around in a lot of different places on the D-Line. Could play any of the 3 up front or even Jack if you needed it right now. Said that last thing isn’t going to happen, but you could if you needed him to.
UK QB WILL LEVIS Q&A:
* On WR Barion Brown… Explosiveness is really special. Already made some big plays today in practice No. 1
* Really excited about the TE group. Thinks there are going to be times when you see 3 of them on the field together because of the versatile things they can do.
* Day 1 of practice saw everyone ready to roll from the start, Levis said. “We’ve been ready to go for a while now.”
* On being tough on himself and managing hype… You have to be your No. 1 supporter and No. 1 critic and block out the rest.
* Asked about spending time with Tim Tebow… Laughed and said Tebow told him don’t listen to people telling you to slide and get down more. Do what it takes to get the job done. It was cool to hear someone talk about going into a similar situation that he’ll have.
* Depth and experience at RB position should make it easy to overcome whatever happens with C-Rod, Levis said. Specifically mentioned the huge strides that La’Vell Wright made.
* On playing golf with Tim Couch this summer… “One, I thought I was in pretty good shape, but he put me to shame.” (Laughs). Good to be able to talk to someone who’s been in his position.
* Levis on closing the gap with Georgia and making a run at the East this season… Consistency is big, being physical is important. Gotta be able to punch back. We have the dudes to go up against them, just have to believe that.
UK HEAD COACH MARK STOOPS Q&A:
* Stoops enters and says, “Packed house… a little different than 10 years ago.”
* Stoops sends out his thoughts and prayers to the people in eastern Kentucky struggling with flood damage. He says the team has some plans to help out the relief effort that will be announced in the near future.
* “Really excited about this football team.” A lot of confidence from staff all the way down through the players. Very strong leadership on this team. Has a lot with the culture that players who came before them established.
* Today was by far the best Day 1 practice that they’ve ever had, Stoops says. He adds that’s the way it should be with the experience they have and a veteran QB. Very clean. Overall execution was really good.
* No update on Chris Rodriguez’s status.
* Really high on the length and size of the DBs they’ve brought in. Mentioned Keidron Smith and Alex Afari in that regard. Both about 6-2, 205. Stoops says his philosophy is to start big, athletic guys like that at corner and see if they can handle it, then move down to other options like nickel and safety. It looks like Afari has some corner skills.
* On the RB room, even if it doesn’t include C-Rod…. Feels really good about it, all those guys. Very confident in that group.
* On his confidence level with OT… Very good. Main guys had a good spring, and Wohlabaugh has been a pleasant surprise, Stoops said.
* OL Josh Jones is out for the start of practice with an injury that will require surgery and keep him out for the year.
* Hogan and Sheron will battle for the backup QB position. Both made nice strides in the spring, Stoops said.
* On the exceptional depth at LB… Have some good, young players on the outside to back up Weaver and Wright. Inside is even more deep. They feel like that bunch could be 3 deep, and that’s a good thing because of the physical nature of the position.
* Not all the freshmen have reported yet, Stoops said. Did not elaborate.
* On Levis handling the hype… No issues because he’s very self-motivated, driven.
* Asked about the Cats’ physicality, Stoops says they have a pretty good idea about that. Just put on the film and watch, he says.
* TE group really deep and Rich Scangarello loves those guys, “so they should see a lot of action.” Nice to see Keaton Upshaw back out there after some bad injury luck in the past. Has that size you like. Big target, athletic.
* Worried about the players hearing too many nice things about UK Football? It’s a fine line, Stoops said, but the staff is always “very real” with them.
UK OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR RICH SCANGARELLO Q&A:
* Scangarello says backup battle at QB should be a good competition. Both guys are worthy of the job, had really good summers, huge strides from both. More than he expected, he added.
* On Will Levis’s offseason, including Derby, The Masters, SEC Media Days hype, etc… “Livin’ the dream!” (Laughs). But he handles it well. Right mindset. “He’s all ball right now.”
* Scangarello says he’s had talks with Levis about keeping himself healthy, and the QB knows how valuable he is to his team this season. He’s mindful of it.
* Scangarello more concerned about inside protection than outside. “I think our tackles and going to be pretty good. I think they’re going to surprise you.”
* Staff is hoping for the same kind of growth and ascension from Will Levis that we saw with a guy like Joe Burrow late in his college career.
* Asked how many WRs he likes to use in a game, Scangarello says it varies from week to week, but he noted that they have recruited well at that spot (and TE) and have a lot of guys with different traits you can mix and match. A bunch of hybrid guys.
* Asked if he’s found his George Kittle yet, Scangarello says he doesn’t want to single anyone out right now, but he’s “very, very excited” about that group. Thinks there’s going to be some guys play at the next level.
* On uncertainty with C-Rod and the RB room…. Likes the depth there, but it’s generally unproven, so those guys have a chance to make a big impression. Like the WRs and TEs, they’re all a little different. Some thumpers, some speed guys, some route runners and pass catchers.
* Backs didn’t catch a lot of balls last year, Scangarello says. He wants that to be incorporated a lot more this season. “We’ve got a group that can do that.”
DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR BRAD WHITE Q&A:
* Weaver has a lot more confidence going into this camp having more time pass since his surgery. It typically takes 16 months, even though he played a bit last season. He’s just now showing that twitch he had before the injury. “He’s brimming with confidence, playing fast.” A great thing to see.
* On the DBs they added in the transfer portal… It was a point of emphasis. They’ve really improved their depth. Have some guys who have played some football, like Keidron Smith. Smart, savvy. Good mix of older guys and younger guys now. Feels strong about that group, “but they have a lot to prove.”
* Asked about the interior D-Line, White says that might be the place for the best competition in camp. A lot of guys will rotate and get a bunch of snaps. There’s not a clear-cut guy like Josh Paschal who will have a huge workload. This will be more of a rotational group, but there is some talent there, and keeping them fresh could be a big key.
* On newcomer Alex Afari at DB… To walk in as a freshman and move the way he does at his size and length is “a rare blend.” Big task for staff to find a way to get him ready ASAP. “When you get special athletes, you have to find a way for them to contribute.”
* How do you replace the leadership of a Josh Paschal? In most years, that would be a huge void, White said, but when you walk into the defensive room and see the guys who have played significant roles for a long time, it makes you feel better.
* On the interior D-Line guys being lighter this year… S&C crew has done a great job with them. Too much is said about weight sometimes. It’s all about strength and power.
* On Octavius Oxendine…. He’s got to be the leader of that group. He’s trained so hard to get back to the point where he got injured. Trying to be smart with him and not push him too hard, too fast, but he looks really explosive and loose right now. They can move him around in a lot of different places on the D-Line. Could play any of the 3 up front or even Jack if you needed it right now. Said that last thing isn’t going to happen, but you could if you needed him to.
UK QB WILL LEVIS Q&A:
* On WR Barion Brown… Explosiveness is really special. Already made some big plays today in practice No. 1
* Really excited about the TE group. Thinks there are going to be times when you see 3 of them on the field together because of the versatile things they can do.
* Day 1 of practice saw everyone ready to roll from the start, Levis said. “We’ve been ready to go for a while now.”
* On being tough on himself and managing hype… You have to be your No. 1 supporter and No. 1 critic and block out the rest.
* Asked about spending time with Tim Tebow… Laughed and said Tebow told him don’t listen to people telling you to slide and get down more. Do what it takes to get the job done. It was cool to hear someone talk about going into a similar situation that he’ll have.
* Depth and experience at RB position should make it easy to overcome whatever happens with C-Rod, Levis said. Specifically mentioned the huge strides that La’Vell Wright made.
* On playing golf with Tim Couch this summer… “One, I thought I was in pretty good shape, but he put me to shame.” (Laughs). Good to be able to talk to someone who’s been in his position.
* Levis on closing the gap with Georgia and making a run at the East this season… Consistency is big, being physical is important. Gotta be able to punch back. We have the dudes to go up against them, just have to believe that.
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