Front Porch FootballKentucky 2021 Season Preview
by Max McDougald
The 2020 season was a disappointment for Kentucky fans, especially on the offensive side of the ball. The offense struggled to produce, finishing tenth in the SEC in points per game (21.7) and dead last in yards per game (311.8) and passing yards per game (124.4). Things were so bad, in fact, that Head Coach Mark Stoops decided to fire co-offensive coordinators Eddie Gran and Darin Hinshaw at the end of the season, replacing them with Los Angeles Rams assistant quarterbacks coach Liam Coen. The result was a 5-6 record (4-6 in the SEC), which included a 63-3 drubbing at the hands of Alabama.
Nevertheless, expectations are high in Kentucky this year. Even with key pieces leaving from a lackluster 2020 campaign, Stoops has plenty of talent to fill in. In addition to bringing in Coen, Stoops hit the recruiting trail and transfer portal hard to bring in offensive weapons who can contribute immediately. No team will benefit more from the new SEC ruling for immediate eligibility on inter-conference transfers than Kentucky.
On the other side of the ball, Kentucky’s defense was one of the best in the SEC last season. The Cats landed in the top 5 in both yards allowed per game (380.7) and points allowed per game (25.9). But 2021 will see new faces on defense, as the defense needs to replace numerous starters. If this defense can build on its success from last season and the offense can score more than three touchdowns a game, Kentucky could be a pretty tough out this fall.
Offense
Mark Stoops likes to pass the ball. It was one of the reasons he brought in Gran and Hinshaw in 2016. But by 2020, Kentucky’s offense was competing with Army’s triple-option for most rushing attempts for the season (not really). Coen should be able to change that narrative. He has plenty of experience in the passing game, and there is talent on this team. Coen and Stoops are in no hurry to announce a starting quarterback as a battle rages in August. Meanwhile, the running back and wide receiver rooms look to be in good hands, as experienced starters return.
Departed Notable Starters
Terry Wilson – QB – Transfer to New Mexico
Drake Jackson – C – NFL
Landon Young – OT – NFL
Allen Dailey – WR – Transfer
Quarterback
Terry Wilson had a rollercoaster career at Kentucky. His future looked promising in 2018, when he led the Wildcats to their first 10-win season since 1977. He threw for over 1,500 yards and rushed for another 500. After missing most of 2019 with a torn patellar tendon, he looked to replicate the 2018 success last season. While he showed flashes of his former self in some games, Wilson struggled to throw the ball against talented defenses, especially in the red zone. With Wilson’s departure, Coen will look to Joe Gatewood (6-5, 211), Beau Allen (6-2, 207), and Will Levis (6-3, 232) to improve the passing game.
Gatewood has seen the most amount of playing time in a Kentucky uniform, getting some snaps for the Wildcats last year after transferring from Auburn. He has the talent to compete for the starting job but will need to prove he is more than the game manager he was asked to be last year in relief of Wilson. Allen has a strong arm and can quickly get the ball to receivers on the outside. Although he’s the youngest of the three, with the least amount of experience, he is very much in the mix for the job.
The favorite to win this job, though, is Penn State grad transfer Levis, who was used at both quarterback and running back for the Nittany Lions. He isn’t afraid to throw into coverage or lower his shoulder into a defender. Levis’ experience at both positions could help Kentucky make a smooth transition from a run-heavy offense to a more balanced one.
Regardless of who wins, the starting quarterback will easily be the most important player on the field. The Wildcats have been desperate for elite QB play for a couple years now, and this may be the year they get it.
Running Back
After rushing for 785 yds and 11 touchdowns in 2020, Chris Rodriguez (5-11, 224) will be the featured back in Coen’s offense. Coming from the NFL, Coen will want to include the running back in the passing game, and Rodriguez also has the skill set to contribute there. Our friend Harris Oates with DraftID is high on Rodriguez writing, “[he is] one of my favorite sleepers in the class. He was one of the most efficient RBs in the country but has been overshadowed by guys like Spiller and Hall. He is a late bloomer but could be a Top 5 RB in the Draft.”
Last year’s second-leading rusher, AJ Rose, graduated in 2020, so Kentucky will need another running back to help carry the load. Kavosiey Smoke (5-9, 201) has been waiting to increase his workload, and should complement Rodriguez as RB2.
Jutahn McClain (5-9, 187) could see snaps at both running back and wide receiver, while Travis Tisdale (5-9, 173) should see action primarily on special teams. Both are prepared to contribute if something were to happen to Rodriguez or Smoke. Torrance Davis (6-2, 220) was recruited out of high school as a running back but quickly made the switch to linebacker last season. He returned to the RB room in the offseason. We could see him in the backfield as a short yardage, third-down power back.
Wide Receiver/Tight End
The Wide Receivers will be led by senior Josh Ali (6-0, 193), who had 54 catches for 473 yds in 2020. Because of his consistent production all three years, it feels as if Ali has been at Kentucky forever. Although he may lead this group into the season, don’t be surprised if another name leads them out. At the end of the year, the top WR for this Wildcat team could end up being Wan’Dale Robinson (5-11, 185). The Nebraska transfer is a flat-out playmaker, so Stoops and Coen will look for unique ways to get the ball into his hands. You could see him out of the backfield, lined up wide, or in the return game. Robinson is the type of player who will bring excitement to the offense.
Two other players who should see action are redshirt sophomore Demarcus Harris (6-1, 183)and fifth-year senior Isaiah Epps (6-2, 189). Harris isn’t flashy, but he is a receiver quarterbacks can depend on to catch the football. His experience from last year (7 starts in 11 appearances) should enable him to continue to see playing time. If Epps can remain healthy, he is a deep ball threat.
This WR group also adds five freshmen. Contributing as a freshman in the SEC is tough, but the one name who continues to emerge out the five is Chauncey Magwood (6-0, 180), who enrolled early and has impressed coaches.
Coen wants to incorporate the tight end more in the passing game, but 2021 will be a holding. Keaton Upshaw recently suffered a foot injury, so Kentucky lost one of its best TE passing weapons, especially in the red zone, before the season even started. Justin Rigg (6-6, 263) returns for his fifth year and will attempt to extend his streak of 23 straight starts. His frame allows him to block and be a massive target for quarterbacks down field…just don’t expect him to burn anyone with his speed. Junior Brenden Bates (6-5, 255) will also see playing time.
Offensive Line
Despite Kentucky’s offensive struggles last year, the offensive line was actually a strength of that team. This season should be no different. Although Stoops will have to replace two starters, the talent at this position should step right in and pick up where those guys left off.
Preseason All-American Darian Kinnard (6-5, 345) is the anchor of the offensive line at left tackle, where he will add to his 26 consecutive starts. Opposite Kinnard, and replacing Landon Young (who departed for the NFL), should be LSU transfer Dare Rosenthal (6-7, 327). The junior didn’t see as much playing time in Baton Rouge as expected, but it wasn’t because of the lack of talent. Rosenthal was suspended on-and-off for violating team rules. If he can manage to stay out of trouble, he should be able to make an immediate contribution and bolster the pass protection.
Jeremy Flax (6-6, 356) and Kenneth Horsey (6-3, 300) should find themselves starting at the guard positions, while Luke Fortner (6-6, 300) will likely replace Drake Jackson at center. The fifth-year senior has 42 appearances and 23 consecutive starts at right guard, so his leadership and experience should translate well at center.
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Defense
Stoops is one of the best developmental coaches in the country. He knows he can’t consistently compete with Alabama or Georgia or Ohio State for the four- or five-star recruits, but what he can do is take the overlooked three-star players and recruit them like five-stars. Once on campus, these recruits tend to stay at least four years and develop into SEC-caliber athletes. So even though Kentucky lost starters throughout the defense, each position returns upperclassmen who are well-prepared to step in.
Most coaches don’t really mean it when they state that they want the best eleven players on the field; Stoops does. Instead of keeping his best athletes stuck rotating at safety, he is willing to incorporate more nickel and dime packages to keep those athletes on the field. He’s also not too stubborn to move around players like Josh Paschal and Vito Tisdale. Of course, here’s the tradeoff – if Stoops does put his best eleven athletes on the field, his defense will be significantly smaller than every other one in the SEC (except maybe Vanderbilt).
Departed Starters
Jamin Davis – LB – NFL
Boogie Watson – OLB – NFL
Quinton Bohanna – NG – NFL
Phil Hoskins – DT – NFL
Kelvin Joseph – CB – NFL
Brandon Echols – CB – NFL
Defensive Line
Kentucky needs to replace its two-biggest contributors on the line from the 2020 season, Quinton Bohanna and Phil Hoskins. Senior Marquan McCall (6-3, 379) is the only player listed as a nose guard on Kentucky’s roster, which means he will have the option of lining up on either the left or right side of the center every play. McCall has played significant minutes in the past, but this is the first time in his career where he will be the head honcho at nose guard. Behind McCall is a pair of elite sophomores, Justin Rogers (6-3, 336) and Josiah Hayes (6-3, 314). Both were highly recruited but saw limited action in 2020.Look for their roles to expand, especially since both are capable of lining up at either nose guard or at the second defensive tackle position, depending on the defense called.
The second defensive tackle position is less settled. Defensive coordinator Brad White refuses to name a starter, primarily because he doesn’t know himself. The DC has emphasized how difficult it will be to replace Phil Hoskins, so three players will be in the starting rotation – Octavious Oxendine, Isaiah Gibson, and Abule Abadi-Fitzgerald.
At defensive end, Josh Paschal is the leader of not just the line, but the entire defense. In the offseason, the fifth-year senior converted from outside linebacker/buck to consistently placing his hand in the dirt. Paschal is an elite pass rusher who likes forcing turnovers; this move should improve Kentucky’s overall pass rush, which recorded only 12 sacks in 2020 (last in the SEC). His experience (40 games, with 25 of them starts) will be appreciated at defensive end, since the inexperienced (but highly recruited) Tre’Vonn Rybka and Sam Anaele are his backups.
Opposite Paschal could be either Jordan Wright or JJ Weaver. Prior to tearing his ACL against Florida in 2020, Weaver was challenging Wright for the starting role. Although not yet one hundred percent, Weaver is on track to make a return early fall. Currently, Wright is listed as the starter. No other player on this roster can make game-changing plays like Wright, but his durability is often a question mark. If both are injured, look for Justice Dingle to step in.
Linebacker
In June, middle linebacker went from one of Kentucky’s weakest positions to one of its strongest with the transfer of Jacquez Jones. Jones led Ole Miss in tackles last year with 75 and will make an immediate impact for the Wildcats, especially in the open field. Depending on how the outside linebacker positions play out, Jared Casey or Trevin Wallace could see the field behind Jones. Casey initially competed with D’Erk Jackson for the starting MLB spot in the spring (before the arrival of Jones). Jackson is out of the picture due to a season-ending injury, but with Jones firmly established as the starting MLB, Casey could also see snaps at strong-side linebacker. Wallace is a true freshman but is one of the best recruits in the 2021 class. If Stoops is a man of his word and wants the best athletes on the field, Wallace should see some action.
On the strong-side, De’Andre Square (22 career starts) is a bruiser who loves to punish ball carriers. College football guru Phil Steele is high on this young man as well, selecting him to his preseason Third-Team All-SEC. Square is one of those players coaches can trust to make plays.
The Will position is more of a question mark. Although still listed at safety on Kentucky’s official roster, Vito Tisdale (6-1, 200) saw significant snaps at weakside linebacker this spring. Like Paschal, Tisdale could switch positions to add athleticism to a position that needs it. The defensive scheme could read 4-3, but if Tisdale enters at linebacker it will more closely resemble a 4-2-5. Like most safeties converted to linebacker, he will be used a lot in the passing game; I would like to see him bulk up before I trust him in the run game, however. KD McDaniel (6-2, 250) is more of a traditional outside linebacker but is not nearly as fast as Tisdale.
Secondary
The Wildcats lost their 2020 starting cornerbacks to the NFL and lost Jamari Brown to the transfer portal. Fifth-year senior Cedrick Dort (5-11, 182) returns for his farewell tour with the most experience at corner – 31 appearances and 13 starts (12 coming from 2019). Opposite Dort should be sophomore Carrington Valentine (6-0, 200), who saw increased playing time as last season progressed, culminating in a standout performance in the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl (6 tackles, 1 forced fumble). Redshirt freshman Andru Phillips and fifth-year senior Quandre Mosely will also see significant playing time this season.
Safety is probably the strongest position on this Kentucky team. Ty Ajian (6-0, 190), Yusuf Corker (6-0, 197) and Davonte Robinson (6-2, 213) are all seniors with at least two years of starting experience. Ajian is a ball hawk, who loves to fly around the field and challenge receivers for jump balls. If he can’t get to the ball in time though, he has no qualms about delivering punishing blows to receivers. Corker landed on Phil Steele’s preseason second-team All-SEC defense but could find himself on the first-team if he continues his trend of improving each year.
After losing his 2019 season to a quadriceps injury, Robinson took advantage of the extra year of eligibility to return this year. He should be seen primarily in nickel or dime packages as the season opens, but he is looking to build on a successful 2020 and increase his role in his final season. If he can, Robinson might see himself on a NFL roster a year from now.
Special Teams
At punter, it is going to be a tough task replacing 2019 Ray Guy award winner Max Duffy. In an attempt to do so, Stoops went “down under” and got Australian punter Wilson Berry (6-4, 193). Placekicker Matt Ruffalo (5-11, 205) returns for his final year of eligibility after making 12 of 14 field goals in 2020. Kickoff duties will likely be handled by Chance Poore (6-2, 208 – shoutout to Anderson, SC!). Poore has one of the best legs in the league and is a touchback machine on kickoffs. Ruffalo and Poore each serve as backup to the other. Wan’Dale Robinson will factor into the return game, along with sure-handed Josh Ali. Robinson is a weapon anytime he has the ball in his hands, and returning kicks/punts will be yet another way to get him the ball.
Impact Players
1. Chris Rodriquez – RB – No matter who is at QB, Rodriguez will be a workhorse this year. A proven, SEC experienced RB who has a perfect blend of speed and power.
2. Josh Ali & Wan’Dale Robinson – WR – Both are tremendous athletes with homerun ability. Ali and Robinson will compliment each other and force defenses to pick their poison on who to double-cover.
3. Jacquez Jones – MLB – The Ole Miss transfer will be the “dawg” of this defense. He will be in on every play and should lead the team in tackles.
4. Josh Paschal – DE – A team leader and freak defensive lineman Paschal will ignite this Wildcat pass rush and bring them out from the bottom of the SEC in sacks. Oates writes “He is a solid defensive lineman for the Wildcats and has been a team captain since his sophomore season. Paschal is the type of guy who will fly up boards.”
5. Yusuf Corker – S – A consistent defender who will be a playmaker in the secondary and could be the top defender on this Wildcat team. He will be a force in coverage and in run defense.
Schedule
Sept. 4 — vs. ULM
Sept. 11 — vs. Missouri
Sept. 18 — vs. Chattanooga
Sept. 25 — at South Carolina
Oct. 2 — vs. Florida
Oct. 9 — vs. LSU
Oct. 16 — at Georgia
Oct. 23 — BYE
Oct. 30 — at Mississippi State
Nov. 6 — vs. Tennessee
Nov. 13 — at Vanderbilt
Nov. 20 — vs. New Mexico State University
Nov. 27 — at Louisville
Conclusion
The expectations are high for this team, and this should not come as any bit of a surprise. Except for a brutal three week stretch in October when they face Florida, LSU and Georgia in consecutive weeks, Kentucky stands a good chance of winning every other game on their schedule. If they can improve their play at quarterback, the offense should be much more productive than 2020. Similarly, if Stoops can fill the holes on the defensive side, this Kentucky team could be a force in the SEC East. This could be a fun year to be a Wildcat fan!
