Kentucky May Just Have the Best Running Backs Coach in the Country

Jacob Noger | UK Football

The offseason love for Kentucky Football continues. It was no secret that John Settle seemed like the perfect hire for UK back in April, but now some believe he’s the best running backs coach in college football.

Top 50 Running Back Coaches In College Football pic.twitter.com/P80UOJPViF

— Big Game Boomer (@BigGameBoomer) July 1, 2021

If you understandably don’t want to trust the word of just someone on Twitter, let Settle’s track record speak for you.

In his time at Wisconsin, Settle has coached the likes of two-time unanimous first-team All American and Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor, All-Big Ten running back Corey Clement, three-time Super Bowl champion James White, Jacksonville Jaguars running back Dare Ogunbowale, Las Vegas Raiders fullback Alec Ingold and Pittsburgh Steelers fullback Derek Watt.

In 2010, Wisconsin nearly became the first team in FBS history to have three different running backs rush for at least 1,000 yards in the same season, with White, John Clay, and Montee Ball combining for 3,060 yards to help lead the Badgers to a Big Ten title and a trip to the Rose Bowl.

Now he comes to Lexington with a stable full of talented running backs. PFF’s top returning rusher Chris Rodriguez, the home run hitting Kavosiey Smoke, and the young guys—Jutahn McClain and Travis Tisdale. Throw in a versatile playmaker in Wan’Dale Robinson, one of the best O-line’s in the country, and two mobile quarterbacks at your disposal!

Kentucky will undoubtedly see a rise in its passing game production, but the balance that John Settle will bring to the table makes this Kentucky offense a dangerous one in 2021. There will be some growing pains, but by the end of the season, I fully expect the ‘Cats to have an offense similar to the one Stoops had back in 2016.

Only time will tell and we are currently 62 days until kickoff. Hurry up, please.