8 things we learned at Kentucky Football Media Day

KSR busted out the full court press to cover the 2021 edition of Kentucky Football Media Day. It was our first opportunity in about 18 months to speak with as many players and coaches as possible. To be frank, there’s still a lot to process. We will be sharing videos and stories from the endeavor for weeks. Until it all gets the justice and attention it deserves, let’s touch on the high notes that were hit Friday morning.

1. No Rush on the QB Competition

There’s nothing new to report on the biggest news of the preseason. Mum was the word for Mark Stoops who was happy to pump the brakes by sharing that he will take his time to select a starting quarterback. “It’s more important to get it right than to be in a hurry,” said Kentucky’s head coach.

Since we did not get news one way or the other, allow me to make a knee-jerk reaction based on both quarterbacks’ interviewing performances. Joey Gatewood was reserved, unwilling to deviate from the script. Will Levis let it rip from beneath a modest mustache. Obviously, the charismatic mustache guy must be ahead in the competition, right?

Pardon Luckett’s video. He got bullied by the TV folks. Give the guy a break. After all, it was his first media day.

2. Coen’s Offense Easy for Receivers

The new offense was the top talking point of the day. Not only is Coen’s passing offense more exciting, the consensus among the half dozen pass-catchers I spoke to was that it’s much easier to learn. The new guys are picking it up well in the preseason. After struggling under Eddie Gran, Tae Tae Crumes summed up the changes best.

“It’s way easier to be honest,” Crumes said. “It’s way more understandable in all of the steps we do to learning the plays. We have a lot of walk-thrus, a lot of playbook time. It’s a lot, but it’s easier, especially over the last two years. It was a lot harder for me to get everything down, but now I’m coming in and the new plays, the new scheme, everything just makes so much more sense to me.”

3. J.J. Weaver Nears Return

J.J. Weaver was incredible near the end of the 2020 season. Brad White reiterated that nobody was playing better football for the Wildcats against Alabama and Florida until he went down with a season-ending ACL injury. Stoops has seen Weaver work hard to get back onto the field this offseason, although he was unwilling to say if the outside linebacker will be back in time for the season opener.

“J.J. is ahead of schedule,” Stoops said. “He’s working extremely hard. I stayed on J.J. from day one just to make sure he stayed up with that, starting with his range of motion, and then his strength and all those things. He’s putting it together. I don’t know. I don’t want to force that. He’s doing a very good job. But you also have to make sure you give that ligament time to heal. He has a bright future, and I have a tendency to try to be more cautious with those type of guys than force them back into it.”

Stoops isn’t pushing it, but I’m pretty, pretty confident we’ll see Weaver week one.

4. Slimming Down for Speed

Years ago the Kentucky football team sometimes looked like the SEC’s JV squad. Then the Wildcats transformed into the bullies that mauled in the trenches. Now that they’ve conquered that mountaintop, it’s time to become more explosive.

“We’re a faster football team this year than we were last year,” Stoops said.

Upon Coen’s arrival there became a newfound emphasis on adding speed to the roster. The word was uttered more than a handful of times during the coaches’ press conferences and it was evident by looking at some of the players. Chris Rodriguez has slimmed down, linebackers DeAndre Square and Jacquez Jones each dropped 5-10 pounds and Octavious Oxendine looks like he’s in the best shape of his life.

A few others that passed the look test:

— Tre’Von Morgan is a man among boys in the wide receiver room that’s put an extra emphasis on speed this offseason.

— Jager Burton has filled in nicely. His best asset is his speed on the interior. Now he has the strength to complement it.

— Chris Lewis acknowledged that it’s going to take him some time to get acclimated with the daily physicality. It’s a good thing he has a body big enough to withstand the beating.

5. Freshman LBs can Play

Speaking of players passing the look test, Trevin Wallace does not look like a kid that just finished high school. Joined by another Georgia product, Martez Thrower, Kentucky does not need either of the two linebackers play right away, thanks to the addition of Jacquez Jones, but Stoops believes they can provide depth and develop into impact players.

“I have high expectations,” Stoops said. “I’m not afraid to play true freshmen if they can come in and have an impact. We’ve done it before. I anticipate those guys playing, but they have to go prove it and play. But I believe they will.

6. Michael Drennen Backflips

A pre-team photo dance competition broke out on the turf at Kroger Field. The sophomore shut it down by backflipping. Imagine doing a backflip and not hurting yourself. I can’t.

7. Bully’s Transformation

This morning defensive coordinator Brad White received a text message from Marquan McCall. “I’m all in, ready to go.” It’s a stark difference from the player that arrived on campus in 2018.

“Probably the biggest change from a freshman to where he is now as a senior as anybody on the defensive roster, from a maturity standpoint,” White said.

The key to McCall’s success is sustaining focus throughout the season. It flashed at times. To take his game to the next level it needs to be at that intense level every single day.

“When he was the starter, there was a more dialed in focus in those games last year. In those games he wasn’t, he would drift and we would have to try to pull him back in and rein him in. He knows this is his opportunity, his shot, him and Josh (Paschal), it’s their front and he’s taken on that leadership role. He’s as focused as Marquan has ever been.”

8. Mark Stoops is Fired Up

For the first time in a long time, today felt normal. There were a few Covid restrictions, but all in all, it was refreshing to be back with the team at Kroger Field. Mark Stoops can feel the energy of his team and can’t wait to get back to playing in front of the Big Blue Nation.

“It’s a fun time. It’s an exciting time,” Stoops said. “I appreciate the position that we’re in, and just grateful to be here for nine years and looking forward to nine more.”