Chris Rodriguez: Stoops Discusses Suspension for Kentucky Running Back

The long offseason wait is over…sort of. Monday morning Mark Stoops announced senior running back Chris Rodriguez will miss at least the first game of the 2022 Kentucky football season, along with super-senior linebacker Jordan Wright.

“We were discussing that,” Stoops said when asked about Rodriguez not being on the depth chart. “I knew it would be the first [question] and I want to say, I appreciate the respect that you all have had through this process. I think you guys know a lot of times because I’m very open and honest with you, you’re very respectful in return and when I have something to say, we’ll say it. I just have to say that these players have some rights as well and I have to be very conscientious of that. I expect a few of them will have multiple game suspensions but I don’t know. I’ll address it next week. I expect maybe one of them will be back next week. We’ll see how that goes.”

When asked to name which players are suspended, Stoops backtracked on his original word choice.

“I didn’t say suspended, you did,” he said to Jon Hale. “They are unavailable to play.”

Chris Rodriguez has been the most talked about Kentucky football player this offseason, and not for all of the right reasons. It all started in May when he was arrested for a DUI following UK graduation ceremonies. He pleaded guilty in July, but that’s only half of the story. There are other circumstances surrounding the suspension that are unconfirmed, leading to wild speculation around the Big Blue Nation. It’s still unclear exactly what cloud is hanging over Chris Rodriguez, but it’s keeping him on the sideline to start the season.

Later in the press conference, Stoops was asked why it’s taking so long to share information on Rodriguez and others’ suspensions.

“There are layers to things. It’s not always black and white. The players have rights and there are processes involved. That’s where we’re at.”

“I’ve been in tune with this situation for a while. I haven’t been withholding. Things change, you know? Things evolve, things change. Information comes and goes. There are different layers to things. That means there are multiple different entities involved. I prefer not to dig anymore into it. I’m not withholding anything. I’ve been pretty in tune with what I felt like things were going to happen, but I have bosses and they have bosses.”

What Kentucky will miss from Chris Rodriguez

The first thing on every Kentucky football fan’s mind: Can Kentucky win in The Swamp without Chris Rodriguez? Unable to play week two in Gainesville, the last time Kentucky beat Florida on the road the Wildcats averaged 7.4 yards per carry and gained 303 rushing yards, with 175 coming from Benny Snell‘s brute force. Kentucky has a talented arsenal of running backs, but none can pound the rock and move the pile like C-Rod.

Chris Rodriguez has 2,739 rushing yards, more than any other active SEC running back. He’s ranked sixth on Kentucky’s all-time rushing list. Prior to the suspension he was within reach of surpassing Snell’s record, but picking up 1,134 yards may now a be a task too tall to overcome.

Next Man Up

Until Rodriguez returns, former FCS All-American Ramon Jefferson will be the first called to answer the bell. The bowling ball is hard to tackle and he has plenty of familiarity creating explosive plays in the outside zone scheme. JuTahn McClain will serve as the primary pass-catcher of the deep group of running backs. Kavosiey Smoke is a big-play back with 1,306 career rushing yards to his name. There are high hopes for North Hardin product La’Vell Wright, despite getting dinged up during preseason practice. Michael Drennen was the highest-ranked player as a prospect, considered the No. 251 player in America when he signed with UK in 2020.

There’s no denying the depth of talent in Kentucky’s running back room. There’s also no replicating one of the greatest running backs in school history. Kentucky will miss Chris Rodriguez.