Spring Rundown: Kentucky must stay healthy at running back

After touching on quarterbacks and where Kentucky stands there heading into spring practice, we’re now moving over to John Settle’s position room as the former Wisconsin staffer enters year two on campus. Even with the unknown of a new offensive coordinator, there is a lot to get excited about in the running back room.

The Wildcats did not lose one player out of the position room from last season, and the return of redshirt senior Chris Rodriguez Jr. gives the offense a legit All-American candidate at tailback. Everything starts with No. 24, but there is quality depth at the position and a redshirt freshman that folks inside the program are very excited about.

State of the room

Chris Rodriguez Jr. is back for year five in the program and his third season as the clear best guy in Kentucky’s running back room. The McDonough (Ga.) Ola product has rushed for 2,739 yards and 15 touchdowns in his career and is fresh off his first 1,000-yard season. Rodriguez posted a very efficient 55.1 percent rushing success rate last year, and the first-team All-SEC selection has a case to be the top tailback in college football with a career 6.6 yards per rush average.

Kentucky knows what they have in Rodriguez, but the top reserves are also proven.

Kavosiey Smoke is also back for his redshirt senior season, and the Alabama native has rushed for 1,306 yards in his career while playing in 34 career games. JuTahn McClain flashed as a sophomore in 2021 with both rushing success and pass-catching ability. McClain is a versatile athlete that can be used some in the slot and thrives on outside rushing concepts.

Elsewhere, redshirt freshman La’Vell Wright appears to have people excited. Michael Drennen II is entering his second year at running back after a position switch and was a former four-star recruit. Kentucky is in an excellent position at tailback heading into 2022.

Most to prove

Kentucky has a clear dude at RB1, and JuTahn McClain and Kavosiey Smoke combine to give the Wildcats a great backup situation. La’Vell Wright has a bright future. The most unknown situation is where Michael Drennen II stands.

The former top-300 recruit out of Dublin (Ohio) Coffman was a major recruiting win for the Wildcats over USC in the class of 2020, but he has yet to make a significant impact. Drennen played in eight games as a true freshman at wide receiver before shifting to tailback and playing six games in 2021.

The multi-positional athlete had limited success when given snaps and is staring at a buried depth chart. However, there is big-time playmaking potential there, and if the light turns on Kentucky could have a true explosive weapon to use in the rotation at running back.

Wild card

La’Vell Wright was a solid three-star recruiting win for the program out of Radcliff (Ky.) North Hardin in the class of 2021. The mid three-star prospect rushed for over 4,000 yards with 56 touchdowns during his prep career and picked the Wildcats over Maryland, Northwestern, and West Virginia.

In just one season on campus, Wright has made an impact.

The 5-foot-11, 202-pound back has the combination of size and burst that the coaching staff is now looking for at the position. Wright has the skill set that could succeed in the outside zone running game that Kentucky is trying to establish.

Don’t be surprised if the redshirt freshman becomes a surprise contributor this year.

Spring prediction: JuTahn McClain and Kavosiey Smoke will have heated RB2 race

Chris Rodriguez Jr. is the man, but who gets the majority of snaps behind him will be a battle to the end. Both JuTahn McClain and Kavosiey Smoke bring talent to the spot, and each has made highlight plays against SEC competition. The two will have a tight battle.

If a clear winner emerges, you have to wonder if the losing party would consider entering the transfer portal. For Kentucky, it will be important to give both a ton of reps in practice as Rodriguez will not be participating in most live contact drills.

Regardless, Kentucky is in great shape at running back and could have a pair of starter quality reserves backing up one of the best tailbacks in college football.