First Down Kentucky: Mark Stoops Bourbon is Flowing

Mark Stoops made headlines across the SEC when he saluted Kentucky fans ahead of the Florida game. “I have great confidence in the people of Kentucky to get up early and pound some beers.” The Big Blue Nation pounded some beers, then the Cats pounded the Gators. Turns out, that’s not the only thing they’re pounding.

The bourbon is flowing at RD1 Spirits. Mark Stoops was an original investor in the local bourbon maker that is expanding operations. The company will move from the former Pepper Distillery rickhouse on Manchester into a new $5 million facility off Leestown Rd.

Set to open this summer just ahead of football season, according to the Herald-Leader RD1 will double the size of its tasting room and gift shop in the move. The best touch of the new addition? The water tower flanking the building will be wrapped to look like a bourbon barrel.

The bourbon company launched in 2020 with Stoops as an initial investor. The first batch of bourbon was named after William Tarr. Even though the Manchester Reserve was award-winning bourbon (that this casual connoisseur would describe as “that good stuff”), people don’t want to drink something called “Tarr.” The rebrand exclusively to RD1 appears to be doing well for Stoops and his business associates.

Mark Stoops has been compensated well for winning more football games than any other Kentucky head football coach. His booming bourbon business appears to be just as lucrative, if not more so, and might keep him in the area for many, many years to come.

Two Big Kentucky Transfer Portal Developments

The transfer portal tide appeared to slow down for Kentucky. Then out of nowhere the Cats got a commitment.

Kristian Story announced a move from Tuscaloosa to Lexington. Adding a player from Alabama always sounds like a win. To be clear, this is not a sure-thing. Story has impressive recruiting pedigree, yet very little experience on the field playing defensive back for the last three seasons. It’s a gamble, albeit safer than most gambles one must take at this point in the transfer portal cycle. Adam Luckett will have more on what Story could bring to the BBN later today.

Another name to monitor is Gerald Mincey, an offensive tackle who is looking to play at his third SEC school in five years. A swing tackle, he logged more than a dozen starts over the last two years, splitting time at left and right tackle. This is just what Kentucky’s offensive line needs, but it might be an uphill battle. From what I’ve gathered over the last 24 hours, the folks at Ole Miss feel great about their position near the end of his recruitment.

Kentucky has made one thing abundantly clear this offseason: they believe in Power Five transfers. Of the nine scholarship transfer portal, seven are coming to Kentucky from Power Five programs, and Ja’Mori Maclin started his career in the SEC before making the move to North Texas.

Former Kentucky Wildcat to Florida State

Tomiwa Durojaiye has made the transfer portal a regular offseason move. If you include his high school recruitment, it’s now three straight years that he’s gone through the recruiting process. Following on year in Lexington, he found some success at West Virginia. He’s parlaying that into a spot at Florida State.

“Interesting pickup,” remarked Bud Eliot, an FSU guy that works for the CBS/247 Sports Network. “Almost half of his impact plays were against FCS Duquesne and a disaster of a Pitt offense, but he did show some flash in other games. Solid potential.”

Elsewhere in the portal, Deuce Hogan landed at New Mexico State. The Texas HS quarterback has taken an unusual college football journey, bouncing from Iowa City to Lexington and Las Cruces.

Georgia DB A.J. Harris Finds a New Home

There was about a three-hour span last week where it looked like Kentucky could pull off a massive move in the transfer portal. That moment was fleeting. Cornerback A.J. Harris, a former top 50 prospect, visited Penn State last week and made the move to Happy Valley official Thursday morning.

Former Kentucky DL to the NFL Draft

Justin Rogers was one of the most celebrated recruits Mark Stoops ever signed at Kentucky. The five-star talent from Detroit spent three years in Lexington and started 16 games on the defensive line. Last fall he tested the free agency waters. For a time it looked like he may remain at UK but ultimately landed at Auburn. During his one season on The Plains he posted numbers that mirrored his second-season at Kentucky, tallying 17 tackles, two for loss and one sack. He had 35 tackles at Kentucky the year prior. Now he’s taking his talents to the NFL Draft.

Dear God, I can't control everything that's happening right now, but I can trust You. Do whatever You need to do in my life so that I walk by faith at the pace of grace to the places that we talk about.

Amen 🙏🏾 #WDE #BBN pic.twitter.com/2PuCmcF6F6

— Justin Rogers (@AllAmerican52JR) January 11, 2024

Former Cats Still Playing Football

The season is over for all but four Kentucky Wildcats in the National Football League. Three of the four enter the first week of the playoffs as the favorite.

• Cleveland (Za’Darius Smith) -2.5 at Houston, Saturday afternoon
• Kansas City (Mike Edwards) -4 vs. Miami, Saturday night
• Green Bay (Carrington Valentine) +7.5 at Dallas, Sunday afternoon
• Detroit (Josh Paschal) -3 vs .Los Angeles, Sunday night

Edwards, a free agent this offseason, might be the only one left standing after Super Wild Card weekend. How will all of the action unfold? We’re previewing all of the gambling angles and much, much more tonight at 8 pm EST on 11 Personnel.

Don’t Expect Lane Kiffin to go to Alabama

Once college football fans comprehended that Nick Saban has concluded his illustrious coaching career, the next question was asked quickly, “Who’s next?” The Saban Coaching Rehabilitation Program created one of the most impressive coaching trees in any sport. Lane Kiffin is arguably Saban’s most popular pupil and after another impressive campaign, many assumed he’d be a top candidate for the vacancy.

Not so fast my friends. Greg McElroy, a former Alabama quarterback that’s at the top of the college football media food chain, is plugged into what’s happening in Tuscaloosa. “Kiffin ain’t an option…He’s out,” McElroy said on his JOX morning show with Cole Cubelic. Kiffin’s personality rubbed too many people the wrong way, burning bridges during his time as offensive coordinator.

Kentucky travels to The Grove this fall. A move by Kiffin could’ve decimated the impressive roster he has built, but in all likelihood the Rebels will be a top 10 team when Kentucky comes to town.