Kentucky Football Open Practice Report: Will Levis accurate, Kinnard, Rosenthal Switch

The doors were left unlocked Tuesday morning as Mark Stoops hosted a Kentucky football open practice for a few dozen esteemed local journalists. It was our first opportunity to see Will Levis operate as QB1. We also got to see a few offensive linemen in different places. Even though some key players were banged up, there was plenty to learn at the Kentucky football open practice.

Dare Rosenthal, Darian Kinnard Switch

Darian Kinnard could have entered his name into the NFL Draft. Instead, he returned to school for a chance to play left tackle. Those plans have changed.

Dare Rosenthal transferred to Kentucky from LSU. The Tigers’ starting tackle in 2020, after trying each tackle out at a different spot for a week, Eric Wolford moved the players back to their natural positions. Kinnard is at right, Rosenthal at left and Jeremy Flax is bouncing around as a big tight end in jumbo packages. We’ll have more on this development later in the day.

Will Levis is On Point

“Ball placement” might be the phrase of the day. I can count on one hand how many times Levis missed the mark on one hand in two hours of practice. He put the ball where his wide receivers could catch it, even if the pass wasn’t completed. Obviously, there are still questions at wide receiver. They have a little more than two weeks to answer them.

Notable Absences

Before going any further it’s necessary to mention that a few important Wildcats were banged up and did not participate in all of today’s practice. This happens throughout camp and should not be a major cause of concern at this time.

• RB Kavosiey Smoke
• RB JuTahn McClain
• WR Tre’Von Morgan

Neither of the three above dressed. Wan’Dale Robinson did not complete practice and Chris Rodriguez was limited in team portions (for obvious preventative reasons).

Solid Two-Minute Drill

Even without a handful of his top offensive playmakers, Will Levis concluded his second practice as QB1 by leading the offense down the field for a two-minute drill score. Rahsaan Lewis made a couple of impressive catches on the drive. He could have received a dagger with a deep bomb, but quit running his route. Once he saw the ball heading his way, Lewis was a few too many steps behind the ball. Nevertheless, Lewis is proving that he can carve out a role in this offense. Despite the miss on the deep shot, UK was still able to finish the drive with a field goal.

Beau Allen was handed the reins in a two-minute drill of his own. He did not make many mistakes in practice up until the first throw of his final drive, lobbing one into double coverage for Taj Dodson to pick off and end practice.

A Couple Nice Catches

In the one-on-one portion of practice, Josh Ali made a nice double move before Will Levis dropped it right in his bread basket. C.J. Conrad got hyped when Levis found Izayah Cummings on a deep flag during a team period. DeMarcus Harris had a strong one-handed catch in the one-on-one portion of practice from Beau Allen, who thrives when throwing out-routes to the sideline about ten yards downfield. Tae Tae Crumes got loose on a go route during one-on-ones as well, but the Butler kid has to improve his physicality near the line of scrimmage.

Trash Talk is Back

The sounds of pads popping and linemen jawing is music to a Football Guy’s ears. It’s light-hearted competition for the most part and at its best when the coaches get in the mix.

During one portion of individual drills between the offensive and defensive line, one defensive lineman got a good push. DL coach Anwar Stewart was fired up following the successful rep. The O-line did not consider it a win. After all, the defenders arms were pretty high up on the blocker’s body, potentially drawing a flag in a game. Kenneth Horsey provided the one liner of the day. “You can’t do that. I don’t know what y’all did in Canada, but this here is Merica.”

Known simply as Coach Stew, the former Wildcat spent a decade in the CFL before returning to coach at his alma mater. His group might have had the last laugh. The defensive line played well, consistently blowing up the team run period. It can be difficult to grade out exactly how each side is playing inside when people aren’t being tackled to the ground, but it’s safe to say that the Big Blue Wall has its hands full this preseason.