Impressions of Kentucky offense after open spring practice

On Tuesday morning, Mark Stoops and the Kentucky football program opened their doors to the media for an open practice at the Nutter Field House. KSR had multiple sets of boots on the ground to take in an entire practice that included individual sessions, special teams work, 7-on-7, and team period.

On a cold blustery day in the Bluegrass, the football team made strides but it was the defense that got the better of the offense. After taking everything in, KSR is jumping into the offensive side of the ball to provide instant reaction to practice No. 7.

Let’s dive in.

Will Levis is adjusting to new passing windows

On Saturday, Will Levis spoke with the media and confirmed that Kentucky is working on some new intricacies in the passing game. Under new offensive coordinator Rich Scangarello, the Wildcats are emphasizing throwing the football to the running backs and are adjusting to a passing offense without super slot Wan’Dale Robinson.

Therefore, timing must be crisp and Kentucky must figure out where the holes are in defenses that utilize zone coverage. Against Brad White’s defense, the Wildcats had some issues in team period as Levis threw a pair of interceptions and both were due to some bad reads against zone drops.

Whether it was the receiver not sitting down in the right area or Levis throwing inaccurately, Kentucky had some issues connecting in the throw game. The Wildcats are looking to grow as a passing offense and suffered through some growing pains on Tuesday. However, Scangarello reported that it was the first time the offense had issues in the spring.

Two steps up and one step back.

Tayvion Robinson is the clear top target

Cooper Kupp, Deebo Samuel, and Wan’Dale Robinson were three wideouts who were the clear top target in a Sean McVay/Kyle Shanahan wide zone offense out of the slot. Tayvion Robinson could be the next clear No. 1 wide receiver in the Kentucky offense.

The Virginia Tech transfer played three seasons in the ACC and recorded 113 receptions for 1,555 yards and nine touchdowns. A former top-500 recruit developed into one of the best punt returners in college football. On Tuesday, Robinson looked like the clear top guy for Kentucky.

Operating primarily out of the slot, the 5-foot-11 wideout out of Virginia Beach (Va.) Cox constantly was able to get open on a plethora of option routes as Kentucky’s defense had a hard time matching up with the versatile slot receiver. Similar to the offense last season, much of the passing game is going to run through the slot.

Kentucky moved Robinson around a ton and looks like a skill talent that Scangarello will feature in Kentucky’s passing attack this season. Expect another big season from a transfer slot receiver. Reaching 70-plus receptions on 100-plus targets feels like a likely possibility.

Dane Key will contribute

Lexington (Ky.) Frederick Douglass wideout Dane Key was a longtime priority recruit for Kentucky football. A four-star prospect and legacy recruit in the class of 2022, Key brought home the Paul Hornung Award and was an All-State selection as a junior and a senior. After a heated battle, Kentucky beat out Michigan, Oregon, and South Carolina to land a wide receiver with great ball skills and a frame to grow into.

The true freshman looked the part in the open practice.

At 6-foot-3, the newcomer is playing X receiver and was splitting snaps with Chris Lewis with the ones throughout the entire practice. Key flashed some smooth running to go along with effortless catching and the ability to play through press coverage. The young wideout flashed some good release ability and looks like a player that can help the offense this season.

Expect to see the diaper dandy on the field this fall.

Positions switches are impacting tight end room

Everyone knows what Kentucky has at tight end. Keaton Upshaw returns for his super senior season and has NFL potential. He’s joined by Brenden Bates and Izayah Cummings as guys who can make plays on Saturdays. However, that trio is getting some help.

Former Georgia Tech transfer Justice Dingle has switched to offense after playing defense last year. The Bowling Green (Ky.) High product was playing primarily fullback in team settings but practiced with the tight ends during individual drills and flashed some power as a blocker. However, the jumbo athlete looked comfortable as a pass-catcher in some boot actions.

Elsewhere, redshirt freshman Jordan Dingle — Justice’s little brother — looks the part, but the depth chart is loaded in front of him. Meanwhile, wide receiver Earnest Sanders was working out with the tight ends as Kentucky could be looking for another flex option to backup Cummings.

The tight end position will be a critical part of the Kentucky offense this season and the open practice confirmed that.

Quick hitters

• Iowa transfer Deuce Hogan was a surprise addition, and the newcomer appears to be QB4 at the moment. However, the Texas native has a bazooka and flashed the arm talent in team periods with a couple of bombs on go routes. The walk-on can spin it.
• At the moment, JuTahn McClain is a heavy factor and was the first running back up behind Chris Rodriguez Jr. The former four-star recruit will be a factor this season.
• Believe in the interior of the offensive line. Eli Cox, Kenneth Horsey, and Tashawn Manning are a strong trio who held up very well in pass protection. Kentucky must find solutions at tackle, but the inside gives them a strong backbone.
• Dekel Crowdus has legitimate vertical speed and can be a field stretcher. The redshirt freshman is still working himself back from a knee injury, but the Lexington (Ky.) Frederick Douglass product can help the offense.