Kentucky Football cracks ESPN's Preseason Top 25 Power Rankings

Your University of Kentucky Football Wildcats are a Top 25 team in the eyes of at least one national media member. ESPN senior college football writer Mark Schlabach updated his Top 25 power rankings today to reflect developments in spring practice and the transfer portal. Kentucky, which was not in Schlabach’s initial Top 25 released following the end of the 2022 season, is No. 24.

Schlabach’s reason for including the Cats this go around? Additions and adjustments on the offensive line, which was a major disappointment in 2022.

24. Kentucky Wildcats

Previous ranking: NR
2022 record: 7-6, 3-5 SEC
Expected returning starters: 8 offense, 6 defense, 2 special teams

Post-spring outlook: While much of the attention this spring might have been on the transfers replacing quarterback Will Levis (former NC State starter Devin Leary) and tailback Chris Rodriguez Jr. (former Vanderbilt starter Ray Davis), rebuilding a porous offensive line was a primary focus for coach Mark Stoops and new offensive coordinator Liam Coen. The Wildcats ranked 112th in the FBS in scoring (20.4 points) and 116th in total offense (324.7 yards) in 2022. Kentucky surrendered 46 sacks last season, the most by any Power 5 program. Northern Illinois transfer Marques Cox was working at left tackle and Eli Cox moved back to right guard from center. Jager Burton was working at center. Last week, the Wildcats received a commitment from USC’s Courtland Ford, who could fill a hole at right tackle.

The SEC just means more, so Kentucky is one of six teams from the conference in the rankings. Defending national champion Georgia is No. 1, and Schlabach moved mighty Alabama just outside the top five to No. 6. The Cats face the Bulldogs in Athens on Oct. 7, host Tennessee on Oct. 28, and host Alabama on Nov. 11.

• 1. Georgia
• 6. Alabama
• 7. LSU
• 11. Tennessee
• 22. Ole Miss
• 24. Kentucky

Only 122 days until the season opener vs. Ball State.

Kentucky loses two more offensive tackles to the transfer portal

Something Schlabach doesn’t mention regarding the Big Blue Wall is depth. Over the weekend, two offensive tackles entered the transfer portal, David Wohlabaugh and Deondre Buford. Currently, Kentucky has six tackles on scholarship and eight interior offensive linemen. The Cats have five scholarships remaining, so they can still add depth via the transfer portal if need be.

For the latest on Kentucky’s pursuits in the transfer portal and scholarship count, bookmark Adam Luckett’s Transfer Tracker.