5 Questions Kentucky Football can Answer at Spring Practice

Sunshine and 70-degree days are quickly followed by rain and freezing temperatures. That means it’s springtime in Kentucky. Before thoroughbreds hit the Keeneland racetrack and Wildcats cut down the nets, Mark Stoops’ football team is hitting the field for spring practice. Freddie Maggard has addressed a few areas of concern ahead of the spring season. Now let’s take a big picture look at questions the Wildcats will try to answer over the next 15 practices, starting Tuesday morning at the Joe Craft Football Training Facility.

How will Scangarello and Levis work together?

A year ago there was no spring game. Kentucky had a new offensive coordinator teaching the quarterbacks how to take a snap under center. The signal-caller who orchestrated a 10-win season was not even on campus for another two months. Even though the program found stability with Will Levis running the show, the offense underwent plenty of changes this offseason.

Ten days ago Stoops hired Rich Scangarello to be UK’s next play-caller. Since arriving in Lexington, the mad scientist been “holed up in his offense” to prepare for these 15 practices. He checked all of the boxes in the interview process and made a pleasant first impression in his introductory press conference. This spring we’ll learn if and how he’s able to mesh with Levis.

Liam Coen described his role as a caddy for the quarterback. The hands-off approach gave Levis the freedom to take risks. Scangarello has been coaching quarterbacks for twice as long as Liam. If the two can create chemistry this spring, Levis can take an even bigger leap in 2022.

Which Young Receiver will Flash?

Kentucky has recruited wide receivers with its hair on fire. With Wan’Dale Robinson and Josh Ali no longer on the UK sideline, this spring is a good time to turn those recruiting rankings into production on the practice field.

There’s a 90% chance that Levis and Tayvion Robinson quickly click. There’s more mystery surrounding the other newcomers. Former Alabama outside receiver Javon Baker will not be on UK’s campus till this summer, opening the door for four former high school recruits to flourish.

Chauncey Magwood has the most in-game snaps under his belt. Chris Lewis‘ length gives him an opportunity to carve out his own niche. Current and former teammates have not shied away from praising the second-year outside receiver. Dane Key could make a quick, dramatic leap with a talented QB throwing balls his ways. The biggest mystery is his former Frederick Douglass teammate, Dekel Crowdus. His debut was delayed by injury. One of the fastest players on UK’s roster, if he can create enough confidence from his quarterback this spring, the offense can take a step forward in the fall.

Will an Offensive Tackle Emerge in Spring Practice?

Zach Yenser has no time to waste. Kentucky needs a new center, right and left tackle. While Eli Cox can alleviate the pressure of filling the spot in the middle of the offensive line, there’s a lot up in the air on the edges of the Big Blue Wall. The primary options were highly-ranked recruits, four-star prospects or better in each recruiting service, but have received little to no playing time. The next 15 practices cannot replicate the lack of production for Deondre Buford, Jeremy Flax and Kiyaunta Goodwin. It will be an intense, important developmental period for the new-look Kentucky offensive line.

Can Vito Tisdale play Cornerback?

There is a lot to love about what Kentucky is bringing back defensively, with one exception. The Wildcat cornerbacks must improve. Vito Tisdale could be the solution to that problem. The hard-hitting defensive back from Bowling Green spent the first two years of his career playing closer to the ball at nickel. He is an outstanding blitzer and an asset in run support. Can he play on the edge against elite SEC pass-catchers? Adam Luckett said it best on 11 Personnel: “It’s very enticing, but also scary as hell.”

Any Kentucky Linebackers on the Move?

Kentucky is LOADED at inside linebacker. There are five players for two positions. Even though injuries take a toll on this group probably more than any other, spring practice is the perfect time to experiment with Kentucky’s Wild Card, Trevin Wallace. The SEC All-Freshman selection will not start over the two vets, but you can’t keep this guy off the field. Wallace will rack up a ton of reps over the next 15 practices. Hopefully some are spent in sub-packages that can give opponents headaches this fall.