Kentucky Spring Depth Chart Projection: Offense has high ceiling

The college basketball season is beginning to heat up as Selection Sunday is quickly approaching. Draft season is rolling on as the NFL Scouting Combine is just three weeks away. Things have slowed in college football, but business is about to pick up again. Shout out to Auburn for keeping us entertained.

In a few short weeks, Kentucky will be begin spring practice on campus as a kickoff for the 2022 season. As of right now, KSR has a pretty good idea about what the roster will look like heading into the summer. The second week of February feels like a good time to see how the depth chart is coming along.

To kick off some spring football coverage, KSR is putting together two-deep projections for the 10th team of the Mark Stoops era. In the second year under offensive coordinator Liam Coen, the Wildcats should have a chance to be special this season.

Quarterback

1. Will Levis (6-3, 232, RSr.)
2. Beau Allen (6-2, 207, RSo.)

After throwing for 2,827 yards and 24 touchdowns with 376 rushing yards and nine additional scores, Will Levis is returning with high expectations. The Penn State transfer found a groove late in the year and should give the Wildcats their best QB play in 2022 since Andre’ Woodson. Meanwhile, Beau Allen enters a huge spring as Kentucky must figure out if the Lexington (Ky.) Catholic product is the future at the position.

Running back

1. Chris Rodriguez Jr. (5-11, 224, RSr.)
2. Kavosiey Smoke (5-9, 201, RSr.)
3. JuTahn McClain (5-9, 187, Jr.)

Chris Rodriguez Jr. returns for his final year on campus after earning first-team All-SEC honors in 2021. The Metro Atlanta native has 2,739 career rushing yards and needs 1,135 yards to set a program record for career rushing yards. Kavosiey Smoke brings 1,306 career rushing yards back, and JuTahn McClain has value as both a rusher and a receiver. Kentucky has one of the best running back rooms in college football.

Tight end

1. Keaton Upshaw (6-6, 245, RSr.)
2. Brenden Bates (6-5, 255, RSr.)
3. Izayah Cummings (6-3, 228, Jr.)
4. Jordan Dingle (6-4, 235, RFr.)

Keaton Upshaw makes his long-awaited return to the offense, and the Ohio product should give Kentucky another added weapon in the passing game. Izayah Cummings gets a full year at the position and could be a matchup nightmare for defenses as a flex tight end. Brenden Bates is the best blocker of the group and Jordan Dingle could be an emerging future star at the position.

Slot

1. Tayvion Robinson (5-11, 185, Sr.)
2. Chauncey Magwood (6-0, 180 So.)

Wan’Dale Robinson led all Kentucky wideouts in receptions (104) and targets (146) playing out of the slot in 2021. Those numbers won’t be as high, but don’t be surprised if Tayvion Robinson does the same in 2022. The Virginia Tech transfer is a scheme fit and has playmaking experience. After an up-and-down rookie season, Chauncey Magwood will be looking to become a more consistent threat as a sophomore.

X receiver

1. Javon Baker (6-2, 206, Jr.)
2. Chris Lewis (6-4, 190, RFr.)
3. Dane Key (6-3, 195, Fr.)

Typically an X wideout is a player that lines up away from the tight end in the formation and is often in the boundary or short side of the field. Players at this position need a combination of size, play strength, and speed as one-on-ones are often created even in zone coverage. Alabama transfer Javon Baker was added to fill this role. However, former four-star recruits Dane Key and Chris Lewis will get a chance to show what they can do in spring practice before Baker arrives in the summer.

Z receiver

1. DeMarcus Harris (6-1, 183, RJr.)
2. Dekel Crowdus (5-10, 180, RFr.)
3. Barion Brown (6-0, 175, Fr.)

For a good chunk of snaps, Kentucky will be in a 12 personnel grouping where only two wideouts are featured in the formation. However, there are times when the field needs to be spread. Lining up to the strong side of the formation, the Z is typically aligned off the ball and needs speed to create separation in both horizontal and vertical routes. DeMarcus Harris gives the Wildcats 26 career receptions and is a veteran in the room. However, the youth is intriguing at this spot. Dekel Crowdus has big-time vertical playmaking traits and was poised to play as a true freshman before suffering a knee injury. When top-100 recruit Barion Brown arrives in the summer, this is likely the position where coach Scott Woodward will plug him in.

Left tackle

1. Deondre Buford (6-3, 295, RSo.)
2. Kiyaunta Goodwin (6-8, 330, Fr.)

After consecutive seasons of having NFL Draft picks at left tackle — Landon Young, Dare Rosenthal — Kentucky must find a new answer for the blind spot. Deondre Buford seemed to turn a corner as the season ended and could be the surprise starter for the unit. Meanwhile, Kiyaunta Goodwin was a big-time recruit for a reason and will be hard to keep off the field if the weight is in check and the game starts to slow down.

Left guard

1. Kenneth Horsey (6-3, 300, RSr.)
2. Quintin Wilson (6-1, 294, RSr.)

Some shuffling can still go on in the offensive line room when Zach Yenser takes over. Kenneth Horsey could easily kick out to tackle, but for now, we’ll keep him here. The former low three-star recruit from Central Florida is an excellent pass protector at guard and has 21 career starts. Quintin Wilson has played some meaningful football for Kentucky and will be a swing guy inside as a top backup at both center and guard.

Center

1. Eli Cox (6-4, 293, RJr.)
2. Quintin Wilson

Similar to Luke Fortner, Eli Cox will be making the transition from starting right guard to center to give Kentucky some more experience at the position that sets the line and makes some protection calls. Due to good movement ability and play strength, Cox could excel at the position.

Right guard

1. Tashawn Manning (6-4, 340, Super)
2. Jager Burton (6-4, 280, RFr.)

Auburn grad transfer Tashawn Manning was added to the Big Blue Wall to give Kentucky another starter. The Apopka (Fla.) Wekiva product will start at one of the guard spots. For now, Manning gets plugged in at right guard. Hopes are still high for blue-chipper Jager Burton after a redshirt season. If things get shuffled, the Lexington (Ky.) Frederick Douglass alum could have a starting opportunity.

Right tackle

1. Jeremy Flax (6-6, 356, RJr.)
2. David Wohlabaugh Jr. (6-6, 290, RFr.)

Jeremy Flax will get his second shot at being a starter in 2022 after playing just 73 snaps last season. David Wohlabaugh Jr. has a bright future and could potentially turn into a rotational piece on the offensive line as a redshirt freshman.

State of the offense

After the debacle against Mississippi State, the Kentucky offense turned a corner in the final five games of the season. The unit averaged 40.8 points per game, 7.11 yards per play, and had a success rate of 54.8 percent. Kentucky played like a top-15 offense to close the year.

With the returning personnel in 2022, the Wildcats should have a chance to be that all season in 2022.

Will Levis could be one of the best quarterbacks in the SEC, Chris Rodriguez Jr. is a potential All-American at running back, and Liam Coen is a fast-rising play-caller. Kentucky has a good blend of talent and depth at the other skill spots with a solid core on the offensive line. If Kentucky finds some answers at tackle, the offense has a legit shot at many program records in 2022.

Get excited about this group’s potential.