ESPN blames UK football struggles on 2014 class
Mark Stoops was able to haul in the best recruiting class in school history despite finishing just 2-10 the season before. The program was bought in and Stoops Troops seemed to be turning the Cats around for a major comeback in the SEC. Fast forward two years and two 5-7 season's with no bowl trip later, Stoops seat is getting just a little warmer. Who is to blame for our struggles? ESPN writer Alex Scarborough thinks the 2014 recruiting class, albeit very young, has a big part to play in the continued lack of success last season.
Key storyline: Flashback to 2014. Kentucky has the best signing class in school history with six ESPN 300 signees and eight total four-stars. Ware’s the highest-rated player, Barker’s the face of the class and receiver Thaddeus Snodgrass and running back Stanley Williams have the look of future stars in the SEC. For good measure, Kentucky fans can thump their chests about signing big defensive tackle Matt Elam, who considered committing to Alabama. The future looks bright. But in the two seasons since arriving in Lexington, the 2014 class hasn’t exactly paid off. There have been flashes of potential, but not a single bowl game. And now that has to change. For Kentucky to get over the hump, it’s up to those redshirt sophomores and juniors to make good on their potential and carry the program.
While it may not be fair to place full blame on the 2014 class, it is factual that if we plan on getting to a bowl next year our talented juniors and redshirt sophomores need to be the guys stepping up. It's their time to shine after two years in the program, and they have a burden placed on their shoulders to guide this team in the right direction for the 2016 season. Rally the troops, fellas, we need a bowl game trip in December.
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