Kentucky's offense will be old in 2023

Get old and stay old. That roster-building philosophy will play out for Kentucky offensive coordinator Liam Coen this fall.

After spending the 2022 season as the Los Angeles Rams offensive coordinator, Coen will get to call plays again at Kentucky after one year away from the program. The former Maine offensive coordinator will be working with an old roster this season.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic that severely altered the 2020 campaign, players that were on college football rosters that season was granted an extra year of eligibility by the NCAA. That has created the super senior era where players essentially get two redshirt seasons now on top of the standard four years of eligibility. Kentucky is using that to its advantage.

The offense is expected to have six super seniors on offense in 2023. Almost all of them will be in starting roles when the season opens on Labor Day weekend. Each brings a bunch of playing experience.

• Devin Leary (QB): 6th year, 1,826 snaps played at NC State
• Ramon Jefferson (RB): 7th year, 889 snaps played in the FCS
• Tayvion Robinson (WR): 5th year, 2,225 snaps played at Virginia Tech and Kentucky
• Brenden Bates (TE): 6th year, 974 snaps played at Kentucky
• Kenneth Horsey (OL): 6th year, 1,923 snaps played at Kentucky
• Marques Cox (OL): 6th year, 2,293 snaps played at Northern Illinois

That is a lot of playing experience to pull from. Kentucky is hopeful that Devin Leary can provide instant production at quarterback. Ramon Jefferson is recovering from an ACL injury but had big-time production at the FCS level. Tayvion Robinson returns for an extra year in the slot after a disappointing 2022 campaign. Brenden Bates gives the offense a solid in-line option at tight end. Kenneth Horsey is expected to slide back to his natural left guard position after playing tackle last season. Marques Cox comes from Northern Illinois to give the Cats a true left tackle.

Add in a few more traditional seniors and this is an old offense. That experience should help balance some youth.

A lot is expected of Barion Brown and Dane Key but the receivers are only true sophomores. Jager Burton will play a key role on the offensive line, but this is only his third year in the program. Expectations are high for Josh Kattus despite the Cincinnati (Ohio) Moeller product being just a true sophomore.

Kentucky clearly has some young star power. However, the Cats need to establish a high floor. Getting consistent play at quarterback and the offensive line will provide that. The program is hopeful that the super seniors in those positions will provide that.

The offense in Lexington got old in the offseason. Now we’ll see if it translates to better results after a down year in 2022.