Three Kentucky players to watch against Youngstown State

After a monster road win against a top-15 Florida squad, Kentucky returns to Kroger Field on Saturday for two quick non-conference games before hitting the road again in conference play. It’s FCS week in the Bluegrass, but this year seems different.

There will be a big family reunion with Youngstown State rolling into Lexington, and the players in the Joe Craft Football Training Facility have heard about Mark Stoops and his hometown roots all week. That could make this FCS game in an old fashioned trap spot a little different.

Kentucky is a heavy, heavy favorite for a reason as the Cats have major size, speed, and talent advantages at multiple positions. But football games are never played on paper. Regardless of how the game unfolds on Saturday at Kroger Field, a few players will be stepping into a bigger spotlight.

Let’s dive into three individuals who will be monitored closely on Saturday afternoon.

Jeremy Flax needs to improve balance

The Big Blue Wall had a very rough start on Saturday. That all started when Florida edge rusher Brenton Cox Jr. knocked Kentucky right tackle Jeremy Flax on his back on the first series. The offensive line began to find some success in the second half, but there are still a lot of things to improve on.

When on his feet, Flax flashed strong hands and a wide base to give him some power pass sets. In the run game, the right tackle flashed some nimble feet as a puller and was hard to get around when he gets locked on defenders.

However, the Detroit native had a hard time staying off of the ground.

In his second career start, Flax put some good reps on tape, but his balance is an issue. When upright, the junior plays with a good base and his monster frame gives him a great chances at success when punches are landed. But he must stay on his feet.

Flax and the entire offensive line did some good things late in The Swamp. If the right tackle can play with better balance it should open up some more big-play opportunities.

Jordan Lovett makes his starting debut

Radcliff (Ky.) North Hardin defensive back Jordan Lovett was a mid three-star signee for Kentucky in the class of 2021. The in-state prospect had a monster junior season in the prep ranks, but kind of flew in under the radar as a prospect.

After a redshirt season, Lovett was a surprise standout during spring practice as his athletic traits flashed on the field. Kentucky’s coaches admitted that it could be hard to keep him on the sideline in 2022. Following a likely season-ending injury to starting free safety Jalen Geiger, that assumption has become true sooner rather than later.

After playing very well in 49 snaps off the bench against Florida, Lovett will draw his first starting assignment on Saturday against Youngstown State.

The in-state target flashed his twitchiness last week by showing suddenness when required to come downhill to take on blockers to help fit the run. The defensive back has very good long speed and that showed up when he chased down Florida tailback Montrell Johnson Jr. from behind to limit an explosive play.

Due to his athleticism, Lovett has some big-time playmaking potential. We’ll get to that on full display on Saturday as the redshirt freshman has the speed to be an eraser in the back end.

A potential Dekel Crowdus sighting

After flashing early last year in fall camp, Lexington (Ky.) Frederick Douglass product Dekel Crowdus was lost for the season with a knee injury before Week 1 arrived. The blue-chipper was slowed by that knee in the spring but entered fall camp at 100 percent.

The redshirt freshman has yet to play this season, but that should change soon. For the first time this year, the wideout appeared on Kentucky’s depth chart as the Cats will likely try to get the talented young wideout some touches on Saturday.

In high school, Crowdus was a big play wideout who had the vertical speed to take a top off the defense. As Kentucky uses a heavy amount of east-to-west motion, the Cats will likely counter with vertical shots if defenses get flowing too hard horizontally. Crowdus could be a weapon too utilize in Kentucky’s schemed up shot plays.

Expect the local product to get a chance to show off his speed on Saturday. If he’s able to contribute it will give offensive coordinator Rich Scangarello yet another weapon to use in the throw game.