Kentucky sits at No. 25 in ESPN's future power rankings

We are all the way into recruiting mode during June here at Kentucky Sports Radio, but some other folks have already moved into talking season. With that comes preseason predictions, rankings, and a plethora of other hot takes.

On Tuesday, ESPN’s Adam Rittenberg released his future power rankings that are created off of his previous rankings for quarterbacks, offense, and defense. Rittenberg considers “factors such as coaching changes and stability, and recent on-field/recruiting trajectory”. The personnel-based rankings try to project who in the short-term future will be the best teams in college football.

Kentucky checks in at No. 25.

“Mark Stoops and his staff have put together a solid program that is set up for future success,” writes Rittenberg. “The Wildcats have won 10 games in two of the past four seasons and have one only nonwinning season since 2015. They have made significant gains in recruiting — the 2022 class featured six ESPN 300 players — and in the portal, adding wide receiver Wan’Dale Robinson and quarterback Will Levis, who returns this fall as a legitimate NFL draft prospect. Levis and All-SEC running back Chris Rodriguez Jr. form an excellent backfield, although both will need to be replaced in 2023.

Rittenberg is high on Kentucky’s defense ranking the unit at No. 19 overall in his future defense rankings pointing out that the front seven seems to have long-term health, but defensive coordinator Brad White really must develop some depth at cornerback this season.

Alabama (1), Georgia (2), Texas A&M (4), LSU (10), and Florida (22) were the only other SEC teams in this top 25. Stoops has built a program with a strong foundation, and many expect continued success in the coming years for the Wildcats.