Kentucky Depth Chart: Offense

There is still one more full week to get through before game week arrives, but the preseason is now officially over. The Wildcats wrapped up their fall training camp on Saturday with their final scrimmage of fall camp. The offense continues to get positive reviews.

This week, depth charts will be finalized and game prep for ULM begins. Before the program releases the first depth chart of the season, KSR is here to beat them to the punch.

Here is what the first two-deep should look like for offensive coordinator Liam Coen.

Quarterback

1.) Will Levis (6-3, 232, RJr.)

2.) Beau Allen (6-2, 207, So.)

The quarterback battle was short-lived during fall camp and it ended with Penn State transfer Will Levis grabbing the job, Beau Allen taking over at QB2, and Joey Gatewood transferring to UCF to reunite with Gus Malzahn. Expectations are high for Levis in Coen’s new scheme.

Running Back

1.) Chris Rodriguez Jr. (5-11, 224, RJr.)

2.) Kavosiey Smoke (5-9, 201, RJr.)

Despite receiving some snubs from certain lists and the first two All-SEC teams at SEC Media Days, Rodriguez is set to have a monster season in 2021. With sophomore JuTahn McClain currently not practicing with the team, Kavosiey Smoke takes over the RB2 spot. Expect true freshman La’Vell Wright to get some snaps early in the season.

X Receiver

1.) Josh Ali (6-0, 193, Super)

2.) Isaiah Epps (6-2, 189, RSr.)

While Josh Ali is not your prototypical X receiver, the veteran gets plugged in there on the first depth chart. However, plenty of condensed formations will be used within the new scheme with Ali also getting some work in the slot. Isaiah Epps appears to be WR3 for the offense now and will be utilized heavily when Coen goes to 11 personnel.

Z Receiver

1.) Wan’Dale Robinson (5-11, 185, Jr.)

2.) Chauncey Magwood (6-0, 180, Fr.)

Wan’Dale Robinson makes his first appearance on the Kentucky depth chart at Z but will be used in the slot very often. Expect this position to be heavily involved in pre-snap motions. Rookie Chauncey Magwood has gotten much public praise since enrolling early in January and can play any of the wideout positions in the offense.

Tight End

1.) Justin Rigg (6-6, 263, Super)

2.) Brenden Bates (6-5, 255, RJr.)

3.) Izayah Cummings (6-3, 228, So.)

4.) Jordan Dingle (6-4, 235, Fr.)

All signs point to 12 personnel being Kentucky’s base offense and that means all four healthy scholarship tight ends show up on the two-deep. Justin Rigg and Brenden Bates will be the starters. Izayah Cummings will play a lot of snaps and be a chess piece for Coen to use to create favorable matchups for the hybrid player. True freshman Jordan Dingle will get some playing time.

Left Tackle

1.) Dare Rosenthal (6-7, 327, RJr.)

2.) David Wohlabaugh Jr. (6-6, 290, Fr.)

LSU transfer Dare Rosenthal was the last transfer portal addition for the program, but the late add grabbed a starting spot early. Rosenthal will give the Big Blue Wall a potential All-SEC performer. True freshman David Wohlabaugh Jr. has made a big push in spring and fall camp to grab a spot with the twos.

Left Guard

1.) Kenneth Horsey (6-3, 300, RJr.)

2.) Austin Dotson (6-6, 313, RSr.)

Kenneth Horsey started eight games for Kentucky last season and the former low-three star recruit from Metro Orlando gives the group some athleticism. Austin Dotson played a lot of football last season and could be a quality reserve in 2021.

Center

1.) Luke Fortner (6-6, 300, Super)

2.) Quintin Wilson (6-1, 294, RJr.)

After starting 23 games at right guard over the last two seasons, Luke Fortner is sliding over to center to take over for four-year starter Drake Jackson. The super senior solidifies the position and could turn into one of the SEC’s best centers. Quintin Wilson is a quality backup that could also play any of the guard spots.

Luke Fortner RG 👀

Love some big uglies out in space! @colecubelic @BigDuke50 @geoffschwartz

Screen vs Fire X blitz can be a disaster – well done by the whole OL/QB pic.twitter.com/jeS0MAIVHs

— Ben Fennell (@BenFennell_NFL) October 2, 2020

Right Guard

1.) Eli Cox (6-4, 293, RSo.)

2.) Jager Burton (6-4, 280, Fr.)

Perhaps the biggest development of the offseason, Nicholasville (Ky.) West Jessamine product Eli Cox has made a big jump under new offensive line coach Eric Wolford and has claimed a starting spot. The third-year player is one of the most powerful players on the roster. Highly-touted recruit Jager Burton is already pushing for playing time as a true freshman.

Right Tackle

1.) Darian Kinnard (6-5, 345, Sr.)

2.) Jeremy Flax (6-6, 356, RSo.)

Darian Kinnard turned down the NFL last season and will work to become the best right tackle in college football. Meanwhile, Jeremy Flax was called a cornerstone by Coen during spring camp. The ‘Cats are deep at offensive tackle.

2021 offense outlook

The pieces are there for the offense to have a breakthrough. Now this group must produce on Saturdays.

The Wildcats return a few high-quality contributors with Kinnard at right tackle, Rodriguez at running back, Rigg at tight end, Fortner at center, and Ali at wide receiver. In the transfer portal, the Wildcats added two NFL talents in Robinson at wide receiver and Rosenthal at offensive tackle. Levis comes in and is the most physically gifted quarterback of the Stoops era.

The personnel is there for the offense to take a major jump.

The coaching staff has done a good job with development turning five former low three-star recruits — Cox, Fortner, Horsey, Rodriguez, Rigg — into quality starters. Add former blue-chippers Kinnard, Robinson, and Rosenthal to the mix and the offense has a nice mix of recruiting and development.

Outside of the offensive line, there could be some depth concerns much like everyone else in college football. However, the pieces are in place for this to be the program’s best offense since 2010.

Now, this unit has to do it on the field.