Hello HOB. Just wanted to give you a heads up that Friday morning is UK Football Media Day 2024. We'll be getting started around 10 ET with Mark Stoops, Bush Hamdan, and Brad White giving their thoughts on the upcoming season before we move on to the players. Be on the lookout for our coverage then!
MARK STOOPS Q&A:
* Good start to practice. Two days on the grass so far. Really like where we are physically. The S&C coaches have done a great job in the off-season. Teams are a little further along now when camp starts because the NCAA allows you to work more with them in the summer.
* Likes where this team’s depth is. Had a couple of injury situations in the spring, but things look good overall. DLHayes will be out for some time. DL Gadsden will be out for an extended period time. Probably the year on those guys. CB Marshall and DE Henry-Young will also be out a bit. Other than that, pretty good shape.
* Likes the transfers they’ve added. They’ve really helped our team. Took one at just about every position group but TE, and needed those guys. Majority of guys on roster still out of HS and want to keep recruiting and developing there.
* The late juco addition on the DL Dennious Jackson was a guy who can help them with some of the injuries they had up front. Needed him.
* Confident in their OL with Eric Wolford coming back to coach that bunch.
* On the Smith brothers, freshmen from Corbin…. Jarod has put on some weight. Very explosive. Jacob had a shoulder injury in the spring so wasn’t able to do a whole lot, but really likes what they see from him the first couple days of practice.
* On the WR corps and where Hardley Gilmore fits in… HGilmore showed some flashes in the spring, “but he’s a freshman. Give him a chance to grow up and mature and grow. Don’t want to put the expectations too high on any of those young guys.”
* On the defense… Have to get better on 3rd down. Have to get off the field and give the offense more plays, more possessions. We were more disruptive last year, I liked that and want to continue to build on that, but have to finish and get off the field. Corner position has to be more sticky. Sounds like he’d like to play more man/tight coverage this year and win more one-on-ones.
* More guys at CB right now, guys with some experience under their belt now. Likes adding Waller, wants more from JQ and Jantzen. Feels like Hairston is gonna have a big year. Nichols coming along, showed some nice things last year and in the spring. Addison has the skills to help them. Challenging him to take that next step.
* On being here 12 years and how much the job has changed… Since Day 1, you’re always learning and adjusting thru a lot of ups and downs. Doesn’t mean it’s easier now. Every day there is a new challenge. I embrace that.
* On the running game… Really likes what Bush Hamdan does with the running game. Any good OC has that ability to work the run game in. Have to be more physical up front. Have to be able to get those tough yards when the entire stadium knows it’s coming, trying to put games away. Likes what Bush will do with misdirections and some deception in the run game. Good mixture of players in the RB room. Some bruisers and some guys who can go in the open field.
* Kauwe kicked a 50+ FG during live action yesterday. Stoops was really pleased to see that.
* On tempo… Wants more plays, not trying to be up-tempo. Doesn’t want people to misconstrue when he says they’ll play faster. There’s a middle ground between what they’ve been doing and what someone like Missouri or Tennessee does. Wants a better rhythm.
*****
BUSH HAMDAN Q&A:
* On the role he envisions for Gavin Wimsatt… Thinks they’ll have some “Wildcat” packages for him at the very least. Big, physical player. Dynamic. But it’s only been a couple days of practice, so it’s a wait and see situation.
* Brock Vandagriff is building those skills as a leader, big thing for him in the spring and now into camp. Smart guy, tough guy. Can really run. Similar to what he saw from Brady Cook at that age in this system. He’s a consummate pro. Always in the facility working out, looking at film. Just locking himself in the room and getting work done.
* On the OL going into the season and the run game goals… Good depth up front. Comforting to have Eli Cox up front at center. With all the starts those guys have under the belts, expectations are high for the group.
* Thinks the helmet communication system can help them play faster. Challenge on him is to filter what/how much to give them.
* No. 1 goal in the system is creating explosive plays. Gotta find ways to do that with a guy like Barion Brown. Excited about that potential.
* On tempo balance…. “We’re going to run 100 plays a game.” (Laughs) Jokes that he’s losing sleep over getting that question. Says they have the ability to go fast, but stressing flexibility to do whatever it takes to win the game. They have periods in practice where they’re going as fast as anyone in the country. Other times when they can slow things down. “We’ll have the ability ot play fast and keep people on their feet.”
* TEs … Solid group from top to bottom. Establishing the run and creating explosives are the big goals, so no better player to exploit those things than a tight end. We think those guys will be an integral part of our offense.
* On WR Maclin… In that category with Key and Brown who has played a lot. Impressive with his route-running ability, ability to make guys miss.
* On what he learned/adjusted coming out of spring… The competition level is high in the position groups. May have to adjust some of his thinking on personnel groups and ways to get talented guys on the field. Kinda used an example of using 3 TEs at times.
*****
BRAD WHITE Q&A:
* Looking back at 2023 and self-scouting, 3rd down defense was obviously an area they have to get fixed. Third-and-long, historically, they’ve been really good. We were not last year, and it cost us.
* On the NT position with injuries they’ve sustained… Other guys have to step up when you lose a player. That’s the reality of sport. If it was going to happen at a position, that was probably the area they are most able to overcome. Have multiple guys who can play different spots across the front.
* On the LB room…. ILB has leadership with D’Eryk Jackson. He’s been good for Pop Dumas-Johnson in helping him adjust to the scheme. Pop has shown what he can do in this league. Excited about him. Raynor continuing to progress. Was at a good level when last season ended, even more command of it now. Afari has the ability to play both inside and out. Real versatile guy. Some young talent coming up. The future is bright. Fast, long, athletic guys. They’ll also help on special teams.
* On Story at S…. Playing in a system like Alabama, you know he can adjust to a lot of things you ask a safety to do. Personality wise, he fits in that room. You feel really good about that room with Childers, Lovett, Bryant, guys who have played in a lot of SEC games. Gives them an opp to be multiple and do different things.
* On Bryant playing a bit last year… Did not anticipate him being able to do that. Really stepped up. Testament to him and his work ethic. Took another step forward this spring. Bigger, stronger.
* On corners playing more “sticky” this season… One of the areas they have to improve this season. Max has put himself in good position at one corner, good competition at the other. Have a lot of bodies that don’t have to take all of the workload. Really competitive room. Excited about how it’s going to play out.
* Guys were disruptive up front last year, as good as since Josh Allen was here. Gotta have that better play on the back end to make it all come together.
* Deone gets the attention he deserves for how disruptive he is up front, but he doesn’t think people realize how well those other DL played last year. Ox was back to himself, and now he’s as big as he was two years ago. More like himself. A lot of guys you can roll in and out up front and keep guys fresh — Silver, Oxendine, Rybka, Glbert, etc.
MARK STOOPS Q&A:
* Good start to practice. Two days on the grass so far. Really like where we are physically. The S&C coaches have done a great job in the off-season. Teams are a little further along now when camp starts because the NCAA allows you to work more with them in the summer.
* Likes where this team’s depth is. Had a couple of injury situations in the spring, but things look good overall. DLHayes will be out for some time. DL Gadsden will be out for an extended period time. Probably the year on those guys. CB Marshall and DE Henry-Young will also be out a bit. Other than that, pretty good shape.
* Likes the transfers they’ve added. They’ve really helped our team. Took one at just about every position group but TE, and needed those guys. Majority of guys on roster still out of HS and want to keep recruiting and developing there.
* The late juco addition on the DL Dennious Jackson was a guy who can help them with some of the injuries they had up front. Needed him.
* Confident in their OL with Eric Wolford coming back to coach that bunch.
* On the Smith brothers, freshmen from Corbin…. Jarod has put on some weight. Very explosive. Jacob had a shoulder injury in the spring so wasn’t able to do a whole lot, but really likes what they see from him the first couple days of practice.
* On the WR corps and where Hardley Gilmore fits in… HGilmore showed some flashes in the spring, “but he’s a freshman. Give him a chance to grow up and mature and grow. Don’t want to put the expectations too high on any of those young guys.”
* On the defense… Have to get better on 3rd down. Have to get off the field and give the offense more plays, more possessions. We were more disruptive last year, I liked that and want to continue to build on that, but have to finish and get off the field. Corner position has to be more sticky. Sounds like he’d like to play more man/tight coverage this year and win more one-on-ones.
* More guys at CB right now, guys with some experience under their belt now. Likes adding Waller, wants more from JQ and Jantzen. Feels like Hairston is gonna have a big year. Nichols coming along, showed some nice things last year and in the spring. Addison has the skills to help them. Challenging him to take that next step.
* On being here 12 years and how much the job has changed… Since Day 1, you’re always learning and adjusting thru a lot of ups and downs. Doesn’t mean it’s easier now. Every day there is a new challenge. I embrace that.
* On the running game… Really likes what Bush Hamdan does with the running game. Any good OC has that ability to work the run game in. Have to be more physical up front. Have to be able to get those tough yards when the entire stadium knows it’s coming, trying to put games away. Likes what Bush will do with misdirections and some deception in the run game. Good mixture of players in the RB room. Some bruisers and some guys who can go in the open field.
* Kauwe kicked a 50+ FG during live action yesterday. Stoops was really pleased to see that.
* On tempo… Wants more plays, not trying to be up-tempo. Doesn’t want people to misconstrue when he says they’ll play faster. There’s a middle ground between what they’ve been doing and what someone like Missouri or Tennessee does. Wants a better rhythm.
*****
BUSH HAMDAN Q&A:
* On the role he envisions for Gavin Wimsatt… Thinks they’ll have some “Wildcat” packages for him at the very least. Big, physical player. Dynamic. But it’s only been a couple days of practice, so it’s a wait and see situation.
* Brock Vandagriff is building those skills as a leader, big thing for him in the spring and now into camp. Smart guy, tough guy. Can really run. Similar to what he saw from Brady Cook at that age in this system. He’s a consummate pro. Always in the facility working out, looking at film. Just locking himself in the room and getting work done.
* On the OL going into the season and the run game goals… Good depth up front. Comforting to have Eli Cox up front at center. With all the starts those guys have under the belts, expectations are high for the group.
* Thinks the helmet communication system can help them play faster. Challenge on him is to filter what/how much to give them.
* No. 1 goal in the system is creating explosive plays. Gotta find ways to do that with a guy like Barion Brown. Excited about that potential.
* On tempo balance…. “We’re going to run 100 plays a game.” (Laughs) Jokes that he’s losing sleep over getting that question. Says they have the ability to go fast, but stressing flexibility to do whatever it takes to win the game. They have periods in practice where they’re going as fast as anyone in the country. Other times when they can slow things down. “We’ll have the ability ot play fast and keep people on their feet.”
* TEs … Solid group from top to bottom. Establishing the run and creating explosives are the big goals, so no better player to exploit those things than a tight end. We think those guys will be an integral part of our offense.
* On WR Maclin… In that category with Key and Brown who has played a lot. Impressive with his route-running ability, ability to make guys miss.
* On what he learned/adjusted coming out of spring… The competition level is high in the position groups. May have to adjust some of his thinking on personnel groups and ways to get talented guys on the field. Kinda used an example of using 3 TEs at times.
*****
BRAD WHITE Q&A:
* Looking back at 2023 and self-scouting, 3rd down defense was obviously an area they have to get fixed. Third-and-long, historically, they’ve been really good. We were not last year, and it cost us.
* On the NT position with injuries they’ve sustained… Other guys have to step up when you lose a player. That’s the reality of sport. If it was going to happen at a position, that was probably the area they are most able to overcome. Have multiple guys who can play different spots across the front.
* On the LB room…. ILB has leadership with D’Eryk Jackson. He’s been good for Pop Dumas-Johnson in helping him adjust to the scheme. Pop has shown what he can do in this league. Excited about him. Raynor continuing to progress. Was at a good level when last season ended, even more command of it now. Afari has the ability to play both inside and out. Real versatile guy. Some young talent coming up. The future is bright. Fast, long, athletic guys. They’ll also help on special teams.
* On Story at S…. Playing in a system like Alabama, you know he can adjust to a lot of things you ask a safety to do. Personality wise, he fits in that room. You feel really good about that room with Childers, Lovett, Bryant, guys who have played in a lot of SEC games. Gives them an opp to be multiple and do different things.
* On Bryant playing a bit last year… Did not anticipate him being able to do that. Really stepped up. Testament to him and his work ethic. Took another step forward this spring. Bigger, stronger.
* On corners playing more “sticky” this season… One of the areas they have to improve this season. Max has put himself in good position at one corner, good competition at the other. Have a lot of bodies that don’t have to take all of the workload. Really competitive room. Excited about how it’s going to play out.
* Guys were disruptive up front last year, as good as since Josh Allen was here. Gotta have that better play on the back end to make it all come together.
* Deone gets the attention he deserves for how disruptive he is up front, but he doesn’t think people realize how well those other DL played last year. Ox was back to himself, and now he’s as big as he was two years ago. More like himself. A lot of guys you can roll in and out up front and keep guys fresh — Silver, Oxendine, Rybka, Glbert, etc.
