Analyzing Mark Stoops’ Final Spring Practice Remarks

The Kentucky Wildcats finished spring practice on Wednesday. KSR’s Adam Luckett was on hand at Mark Stoops’ final press conference and provided live commentary from the Joe Craft Football Training Center on KSBoard. I took Adam’s words from KSR+ and broke down Stoops’ comments. His final press conference was chalk as his team prepares for a brief summer break before returning to Lexington for workouts and fall camp. Let’s get into it.

“It’s Been a Good Spring Overall”

The most telling Stoops quote regarding this subject was when the head coach said, “Been drama-free for the most part.” Fascinating choice of words. That tells me that he likes this team’s chemistry and leadership. This also comes after Stoops ripped his team for being entitled and lacking leadership a few weeks ago. Leaders must have stepped up and begun to lead. A “good spring” also describes the team’s health. There were no significant injuries that have been reported. This is the most important happening from spring practice.

Quarterback Devin Leary

Much was expected from the veteran signal-caller from North Carolina State. Some say he was one of, if not the, top transfer in this year’s early Portal opening. Mark Stoops said, “I’ve been impressed, but not surprised. We have to be better around him.” Makes sense. Stoops went on to say that the offense needs to make the “routine needs to be routine.”

Leary is perceived as a more accurate intermediate to short passer than his predecessor Will Levis. On multiple occasions last season, Levis tended to miss drive-extending throws that should have been routine pitch-and-catches. Against popular perception, the vast majority of throws are not 70-yard bombs. Short-range accuracy leads to increased yards after catch. Kentucky has the Dudes to make those plays, just needed a QB to make the throws. Leary seems to fit the description. Kentucky needed to clean up this part of its offensive operation.

Be Better Around Him (Leary)

These remarks seem to be directed at protection and improved efficiency in the run game. It’s no secret that the offensive line took a step back in 2022. Matter of fact, Kentucky Sports Radio writers and commentators have said such on numerous occasions. Leary is not built the same as Will Levis; heck, not too many are. Protecting the Wildcat quarterback will be at a premium this fall with pending matchups against Georgia, Alabama, and the rest of the Southeastern Conference opponents.

Run-game critiques have been all over the place. What seemed to be runs stuffed at the line of scrimmage turned out to be missed reads by quarterbacks. Additionally, Ray Davis was load-managed during spring. I think Stoops and the Big Blue Nation have seen what the Vanderbilt running back can do.

Running the football is as much about culture as it is Xs and Os. Culture has been a push-button word this spring. Last year’s ineffectiveness led to the inability to extend drives and missed touchdown opportunities in the Red Zone. 2022 was painful to watch for Stoops and the fanbase. The Cats had played bully ball in previous seasons. Watching zero-gain runs and or tackles for loss add up was not fun.

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Transfer Portal

The Cats may dip into the Portal in order to find a quality tackle or two. When asked about the pending Portal window, Stoops said, “We’ll poke around a little.” Marques Cox has solidified the left side, but depth at the spot needs work. Right tackle has been an open competition and requires more consistency from Jeremy Flax and or Deondre Buford. Regardless, pass protection and a return to being a physical, downhill run team are two non-negotiables if Liam Coen II is to be a success.

Additionally, inside linebacker appears to be a position that needs depth behind D’Eryk Jackson and Trevin Wallace. Martez Thrower is more than capable, but that position takes an absolute beating physically and demands more than three. Injuries occur. Quality depth may be acquired through the Portal.

Slot Receiver

Tayvion Robinson’s late-season disappearance and subsequent return to Lexington for another season opened the door for competition at the slot receiver spot. Stoops singled out Dekel Crowdus as a player that is now a, “more reliable player.” Crowdus is a speedy pass catcher with explosive traits. He has the tools to be an impact player but has lacked consistency in various parts of the program. It’s good to see the Douglass product maturing into a reliable weapon for Liam Coen.

Defense is Ahead of the Offense

Outside of the Hal Mumme era, this has been the case for every Kentucky head coach at the end of spring practice since Bear Bryant. I think that Stoops really likes his defense. While unproven cornerbacks loom as a pressing matter, there are experienced veterans along all three levels. We’ll touch on the defensive line in a bit. Linebackers are new starters technically, but Trevin Wallace and D’Eryk Jackson actually logged quality minutes over the past couple of seasons. I feel that that duo may be an upgrade.

The safety/nickel positions are filled with veterans and the youthful Alex Afari who is a unique talent. Corner Andru Phillips can kick inside if necessary. Again, I go back to cornerback. The veteran Phillps has stepped in and provided stability. But, identifying more SEC-ready CBs through the ones on campus now or via the Portal will be something to watch over the next few weeks.

Defensive Line Has Some Dudes

Stoops on his defensive line: “I feel pretty good. Better than we’ve been. It’s a good spot for us right now.” Coach Anwar Stewart brings passion and continuity to the room. It helps to have Deone Walker who is quickly developing into the all-timer conversation. 6’4, 322-pound Keeshawn Silver has also excelled. The North Carolina transfer has been good as advertised. Silver’s talent was never in question. Productivity through a high number of reps was necessary for the talented defensive lineman.

Justin Rogers‘ departure hurt a little, but Josaih Hayes and Jamarius Dinkins provide a quality one-two punch at the nose. Tre’Vonn Rybka needs to take the proverbial next step but has flashed in the past. Octavius Oxendine has gained back good weight and appears to be returning to form. I’m extremely high on Kahlil Saunders, who did not participate in spring practice. Overall, the Cats are deep and talented up front. But, this has to translate to the game field. The end-state needs to be an increase in DL quarterback pressures, hurries, and sacks.

What Does All This Mean?

The Cats finished spring practice relatively healthy. This is the sentence. A healthy roster gives Mark Stoops a puncher’s chance to start the season with momentum. This is vitally important. Anytime there’s a new quarterback (Devin Leary) it takes time for the offense to become consistent and find the rhythm that play-callers covet. There was a lot of “new” for the offense this spring.

The most pressing issue on that side of the football lies within the line. Improving from last season is non-negotiable. Jager Burton moving to center fixes a lot of prior problems. Finding or developing tackles is a need.

In all, the Cats got better this spring. Coen re-installed his scheme. This process takes time. You have to also remember that Kentucky was down to two scholarship TEs, one of which was an early-enrollee, true freshman. Things will look different with Brenden Bates, Jordan Dingle, and Josh Kattus back full-go. Brad White had the luxury of continuity in scheme and personnel. It appears that Stoops really likes his defense.

I keep going back to the “Drama-free” thing. There was something off about last year’s Wildcats. Maybe it was just me, but the 2022 Cats lacked the “juice” on far too many occasions. Stoops’ emphasis on returning to the program’s culture was often a talking point in March and April. That culture includes playing with a chip on their shoulders and being a team that wins through work, effort, and fire. The Cats need to toughen up. Seems as if the head coach got his point across.

164 days.