Jamarion Wilcox Isn't Doing the Little Things Right, Not Even Tying His Shoes

Jamarion Wilcox has been one of the most explosive players on the Kentucky offense, but he was clearly not a part of the game plan for the Vanderbilt game.

Demie Sumo-Karngbaye had seven touches on 18 total Kentucky offensive snaps in the first quarter. Wilcox’s first carry was a 15-yard gain on the final drive of the first half. Wilcox averaged 11.7 yards per carry but only got the ball three times. The Herald-Leader’s Mark Story asked Mark Stoops if there were things other than carrying the football that limited the running back’s touches.

“Here’s a simple thing, tie your shoes,” said Stoops.

“Tie your shoes. He doesn’t tie his shoes, so he runs it, but his shoe falls off, so he’s got to come out. That would help.”

Jamarion Wilcox averaged 11.7 yards per carry but only had three vs. Vanderbilt.

The Kentucky RB isn’t doing the little things right, not even tying his shoes. pic.twitter.com/wLvJOyggDT

— KSR (@KSRonX) October 14, 2024

Many fans who are reading that quote and see Stoops’ comments are baffled. “We can’t even tie our shoes,” is the “Our pets’ heads are falling off” after a loss at home to Vanderbilt. Don’t take those quotes at face value.

Stoops Repeatedly Challenges Wilcox, A Rare Move by the Head Coach

This is not the first time Mark Stoops has publicly challenged Jamarion Wilcox. When we saw the redshirt freshman rip off a few 20-yard runs against Ohio on his way to a career-high 82 yards, the head coach was hesitant to give him too much praise in the postgame press conference.

“Jamarion is a guy that you’ve heard me say many times that I believe in his talent, and he’s a very good player. We are leaning on him to be consistent on and off the field. Do things right, be on time to meetings, the little things,” said Stoops.

It’s clear that message was not consumed by the redshirt freshman running back.

The other thing that’s disappointing is that no one has been more supportive of Wilcox in that building than Mark Stoops. Wilcox was recruited by a different running backs coach and offensive coordinator. When John Settle was fired, Stoops took over Wilcox’s recruitment, then made it Jay Boulware’s first assignment as the new running backs coach.

This is now the third time that Mark Stoops has publicly talked about Wilcox’s shortcomings off the field. He rarely resorts to publicly challenging players. If we’re hearing about it publicly, it’s probably happening even more often behind closed doors.

The Kentucky head coach believes Jamarion Wilcox can be a difference-maker for this offense, one that desperately needs explosiveness. Kentucky ranks in the top five in rushing success rate but is one of ten teams in college football without a 30-yard run this year.

Jamarion Wilcox needs to tie his shoes. But that is just one of the many things the Kentucky running back must start consistently doing off the field to help the team that needs him on Saturdays.