Kentucky is becoming heavy 12 personnel offense

In 2023, the Atlanta Falcons led the National Football League in 12 personnel rate. Head coach and play-caller Arthur Smith had one running back, two wide receivers, and two tight ends on the field on 41.8 percent of the offense’s total snaps. Pro football is very different than college football, but typically teams want to live in 11 personnel with only one tight end on the field.

Kentucky is deciding to live the 12 personnel life in the first year under offensive coordinator Bush Hamdan. In the 20-17 upset win over No. 6 Ole Miss, Kentucky recorded a 51.4 percent 12 personnel usage in non-kneel snaps. That included 27-of-40 snaps in the first half. The Wildcats are leaning on a deep tight end room.

Jordan Dingle and Josh Kattus have emerged as the top two tight ends on the roster. The veterans have played a combined 362 total snaps through five games. Kattus missed the opener against Southern Miss but played 50-plus snaps against Georgia and South Carolina. Dingle has played 35-plus snaps four times this season. Redshirt freshman Khamari Anderson has played 83 snaps and true freshman Willie Rodriguez has played 33 snaps.

Hamdan told the media after the win that everything Kentucky is doing on offense now starts with solidifying pass protection. With both starting tackles struggling, the Wildcats have asked the tight end position to help out on the edge in the pass protection plan. Instead of running a ton of routes, Kentucky’s tight ends are often staying in as the offense goes to many seven-man protections to help create clean pockets for Brock Vandagriff.

Dingle and Kattus have played more snaps than Kentucky’s No. 3 and No. 4 wide receivers. The Wildcats are using this position some in the passing game (14 total targets) but must of the playing time is being spent as an extension of the offensive line.

Kentucky is becoming one of the highest tight end usage teams in college football this season.