Depth Chart Projection: 2023 Kentucky Offense

Winter workouts are up and running for the University of Kentucky football program. Sweat equity is currently being put in at the Joe Craft Football Training Facility. Meanwhile, the coaching staff is attempting a final push in the class of 2023 and is preparing for a huge junior day on Saturday.

But preparations for spring practice are also ongoing. Liam Coen has officially arrived in Lexington and is now in roster evaluation mode. With that comes depth chart building. Now feels like a good time for a projection.

We have a good idea of what the 2023 Kentucky football team will look like. Let’s dive into how the first two-deep of the season could shake out when spring practice gets ramped up in March.

Quarterback

1. Devin Leary (6-1, 215, Super)
2. Destin Wade (6-3, 222, RFr.)

Will Levis is in full-on NFL Draft prep as Kentucky is turning the page at quarterback. To replace the pro talent, the Wildcats jumped back into the transfer portal and landed NC State transfer Devin Leary who threw for 6,807 yards and 62 touchdowns over four years in the ACC. Leary owns a 17-4 record as a starter over the last three seasons. However, the veteran is recovering from a pectoral injury which will make the QB2 battle very interesting during spring camp. Destin Wade gets the early edge over Kaiya Sheron and Deuce Hogan after earning a start in the Music City Bowl.

Tailback

1. JuTahn McClain (5-9, 201, Sr.)
2. Ray Davis (5-9, 215, RSr.)

Kentucky has a lot of production to replace following the departure of All-SEC rusher Chris Rodriguez. The Wildcats addressed this position in the offseason, but veteran JuTahn McClain should get the early nod as the starter. Vanderbilt transfer Ray Davis will have a clear role in short-yardage after rushing for over 1,000 yards last season. True freshman Jamarion Wilcox should have a great shot to play. Ramon Jefferson and La’Vell Wright feel like potential wild cards for new position coach Jay Boulware.

X Receiver

1. Dane Key (6-3, 194, So.)
2. Shamar Porter (6-3, 210, Fr.)

After an outstanding freshman season, Dane Key is back for year two, and the local product is one of the most important pieces of the offense. Expect a heavy workload for the big, possession receiver who flashed some vertical playmaking last season. However, Kentucky gets young very quickly at wideout. Four-star prospect Shamar Porter will have a great chance to play early, but the Middle Tennessee native won’t be on campus until the summer.

Z Receiver

1. Barion Brown (6-1, 166, So.)
2. Dekel Crowdus (5-10, 171, RSo.)

Barion Brown is back for year two in Lexington, and the former top-100 recruit should get some preseason All-SEC buzz after a promising rookie campaign. However, the offense could use a vertical field stretcher outside of the big two, and Dekel Crowdus is intriguing. The former four-star recruit has good speed, and the Wildcats will be leaning on him to provide needed depth at wideout.

Slot Receiver

1. Tayvion Robinson (5-11, 187, Super)
2. Anthony Brown (5-10, 170, Fr.)

In the slot, Tayvion Robinson is back for year two at Kentucky. The Wildcats are hoping for a bounce-back season from the Virginia Tech transfer in 2023 after the former top-500 recruit posted a career low in yards per catch. High three-star recruit Anthony Brown was an early enrollee, and the Ohio native will have a great chance to play as a true freshman.

H Tight End

1. Jordan Dingle (6-4, 236, RSo.)
2. Izayah Cummings (6-3, 240, Sr.)

Expect Kentucky to use a lot of 12 personnel (two tight ends) sets this season to take advantage of a loaded position room. Jordan Dingle will lead the way as an off-ball, flex tight end that should have a big role in the passing game and be used as a formational chess piece. Izayah Cummings had a solid 2021 year under Coen in this role.

Y Tight End

1. Josh Kattus (6-4, 232, So.)
2. Brenden Bates (6-5, 264, Super)

Kentucky will also need a traditional in-line tight end for their pro-style attack. Brenden Bates is back for year six, and his blocking at the point of attack will provide value. However, Josh Kattus gives the coaching staff a lot of options. The sophomore can succeed in a multitude of blocking schemes and should be used in numerous ways. Expect a big year from No. 84.

Left Tackle

1. Marques Cox (6-5, 305, Super)
2. David Wohlabaugh Jr. (6-6, 302, RSo.)

Kentucky had to address offensive tackle in the transfer portal, and Kentucky quickly zoomed in on Marques Cox. The Northern Illinois transfer started 33 games in the MAC at left tackle and will be a plug-and-play starter. David Wohlabaugh Jr. has game experience and will look to grow after some tough games last year. Nikolas Hall is a wild card here as a redshirt freshman and will be someone to keep an eye on.

Left Guard

1. Kenneth Horsey (6-3, 304, Super)
2. Grant Bingham (6-5, 318, RFr.)

The transfer addition at tackle will allow Kenneth Horsey to slide back down to left guard and that should give the Big Blue Wall a potential All-SEC performer. Grant Bingham redshirted last season, but the former four-star recruit made an appearance on the Music City Bowl depth chart and could give the Wildcats a succession plan after Horsey leaves.

Center

1. Eli Cox (6-4, 298, RSr.)
2. Koby Keenum (6-4, 295, Fr.)

Eli Cox will be a three-year starter on the offensive line in 2023. Kentucky needs the local product to take a big step forward at center in 2023. However, there is no clear backup. Koby Keenum was a significant recruiting win and is an early enrollee. But expect some cross-training with guards to occur at the pivot during spring practice.

Right Guard

1. Jager Burton (6-4, 301, RSo.)
2. Tanner Bowles (6-5, 300, RSr.)

The biggest position battle of spring and fall camp might occur at right guard. Jager Burton is shifting over after starting the last season at left guard, and Alabama transfer Tanner Bowles has arrived to provide some competition. Regardless, Kentucky should have some type of rotation on the interior this season as both in-state products are expected to contribute in 2023.

Right Tackle

1. Jeremy Flax (6-6, 328, RSr.)
2. Deondre Buford (6-3, 312, RJr.)

There was a thought that Kentucky could address right tackle in the transfer portal, but that has not happened yet. Jeremy Flax and Deondre Buford started games for the offense last season, and the two Detroit natives will have a battle for a starting role. The offense will need big strides at this position. A trip to the portal could be an option in May.

Veterans highlight two-deep

The young talent really jumps out at first when you start diving into Kentucky’s roster. Barion Brown and Dane Key are studs. Jordan Dingle and Josh Kattus should have a bright future at tight end. Expectations are still high for Jager Burton. But super senior production will be vital for this group in 2023.

Devin Leary, Tayvion Robinson, Brenden Bates, Marques Cox, and Kenneth Horsey will all need to be reliant, dependable players this season. The Cats need Leary to distribute while the other seniors don’t need to be stars but will need to produce consistently.

On paper, this is a well-balanced roster and if the offensive line improves the path is there to a potential top-25 finish if the young star wideouts turn into stars in year two.