Demie Sumo-Karngbaye predicted to have a 'big season' for Kentucky

Kentucky put in some work in the transfer portal and added some running backs when doing so in order to replace Chris Rodriguez. With that said, for all the talk about former Vanderbilt RB Ray Davis, former NC State RB Demie Sumo-Karngbaye is who On3’s J.D. PicKell has his eyes on in the Wildcat’s backfield.

While at SEC Media Days, PicKell named Sumo-Karngbaye as a potential breakout performer in the Southeastern Conference this fall. He said that the junior back out of New Jersey is getting the seal of approval from ‘The Hard Count’ considering what he showed that he could be, although in a limited role, while in Raleigh.

“This is probably the one that we would sign our name next to and say, ‘Yeah, this is the one player that we think we are probably ahead of the curve on when it comes to a breakout conversation’,” PicKell said. “That is running back at Kentucky, transfer from NC State, Demie Sumo-Karngbaye.”

“He is going to be a guy for Kentucky. And here’s why: When you watched him at NC State? It’s sort of a limited sample size. You don’t have a ton to go off of from his game tape. But in the games where he got a lot of carries? Look at the East Carolina game for NC State early in the year, you look at the game against Texas Tech for NC State? The way that he ran the football? He is a guy that is getting his foot in the ground and getting downhill,” said PicKell. “He’s not calling, he’s not texting. He’s just going. That’s how he gets down when he runs the football. He runs big, probably bigger than he is. He runs behind his pads really effectively.”

Sumo-Karngbaye rushed 55 times last season, his first year getting a shot on offense, for 305 yards and three touchdowns. Much of that came over the first three weeks of the year as in those matchups, which included the two that PicKell referenced, he rushed 35 times for just over 200 yards and two scores.

He also caught career-highs in receptions (four), receiving yards (93), and receiving touchdowns (one) against the Red Raiders in a 24-17 win for the Wolfpack.

Again, much of what Sumo-Karngbaye showed at NC State was on a small volume. However, with the return of UK’s offensive philosophy from 2021, PicKell expects him to make the most of his opportunities considering what he can do with the ball in his hands.

“This offense now for Kentucky? It’s going to be pro-style under Liam Coen. They’re going to depend on him to pound the rock. They’re going to depend on him to be able to get north and south quickly. We’re talking three yards a carry, four yards a carry,” PicKell said. “For Demi Sumo-Karngbaye, DSK? He’s averaging, on his career, five and a half yards a carry. Again, limited sample size, not a ton of carries. But where there’s smoke? There’s fire.”

Davis might be the starting running back for Kentucky next season. Even so, PicKell sees Sumo-Karngbaye as a player that could make some noise whenever he gets his opportunities inside Kroger Field come the start of the season.

“I think he’s going to have a big season for Kentucky. (He’s) a nice little compliment to what they have on the outside,” PicKell said.

“Keep an eye on Kentucky. DSK is set for a big-time season down there in Lexington,” stated PicKell.