Mark Stoops was right, but can he prove critics wrong again?

Kentucky just finished the worst season since his first. Mark Stoops‘ Wildcats capped off a 4-8 season by losing an eighth-straight home game to a power conference foe, an embarrassing blowout loss to Louisville.

“Angry” is the only word you could use to describe Big Blue Nation, yet the Kentucky head coach had to speak to fans from the podium at Kroger Field. The Cats just signed 21 high school players — despite a late defection from their top-ranked running back — and yet it felt irrelevant. The future all hinged on what was to happen next in the transfer portal.

Stoops took questions for about 15 minutes. Before stepping away, the Kentucky head coach shared one final parting line with Big Blue Nation.

“Nobody panic, we’re gonna have a better football team, alright?”

It was out of character for Stoops and it felt even more unusual that he said it with a smirk on his face. Within hours of this statement, Dane Key, the Lexington native who has the fifth-most receiving yards in UK history, announced he was entering the transfer portal.

“Nobody panic” quickly became a punchline used after every departure. The funny thing about that quip from cynical Kentucky fans? Mark Stoops was right.

To recap UK’s Signing Day

– Cats didn’t sign a Top WR Target
– Dane Key was among 6 transfers
– UK got two commits
– Stoops was ticked he lost WR coach
– He skipped his final call-in show

The final message of the season to #BBN: “Nobody Panic.” pic.twitter.com/FmwQ6g5yAN

— Nick Roush (@RoushKSR) December 5, 2024

How Mark Stoops Proved Me Wrong

Stoops’ foreboding words warned Kentucky football fans that massive roster attrition was on the way. As bad as it looks from afar, it was time for Dane Key, Barion Brown, and the Kentucky football program to go their separate ways. By the time the dust settled, 22 Kentucky football players entered the transfer portal, including QB Brock Vandagriff, who retired from the sport after one season in Lexington.

Losing that many players is what happens when you go 4-8. Panic was far from my mind whenever another reserve who failed to develop hit free agency. The problem is finding the right guys to fill those spots.

Stoops’ coaching staff hit home runs in the past, albeit on a smaller scale. You know the success stories of Ray Davis, Will Levis, etc. The issue has been the hit rate. Over the last three years, only 30% of the incoming transfers earned starting positions the following year. The thought of finding a dozen starters in the transfer portal made me want to panic. Instead, Stoops and his staff went out and did the damn thing.

Kentucky addressed all of its major needs in the 2025 transfer portal class, even at the most challenging positions.

There are four new starters for the offensive line, all of which were all-conference performers at their previous stop. They signed three highly-coveted defensive linemen, including an FCS All-American that Kirby Smart wanted at Georgia. You may not like Zach Calzada, but I think he’s an ideal fit for the culture Mark Stoops wants to re-create, and thanks to another late addition, he’s got a versatile playmaker to throw to next fall in Tru Edwards.

Kentucky didn’t get every player they wanted. RB Ahmad Hardy is the biggest miss from free agency and the Cats pursued a few left tackles before securing Shiyazh Pete in the eleventh hour. Despite a few misses, they filled their needs with proven players.

Mark Stoops was right. Big Blue Nation didn’t need to panic when the transfer portal opened. Kentucky built a solid roster, but that only answers one half of the equation.

The Biggest Challenge Yet

Whether you are like me and think Calzada could lead a formidable offense behind this new-look offensive line, or you think this collection of G5 talent stinks, there’s one thing we all can agree on — Kentucky must play like a well-coached team in 2025. That wasn’t the case in 2024 and in many instances over the last three seasons.

Roster construction has not been a problem for the Kentucky football program. On paper, the 2024 roster was the most talented ever assembled in Lexington. Between 15-20 contributors will be invited to the NFL Combine over the next two years, and yet that team only won one SEC football game.

Kentucky addressed personnel problems in the transfer portal but that’s not the biggest problem Mark Stoops’ administration faces. The Kentucky head coach needs everyone pulling on the same rope to win within the margins. You can’t do that just by getting new players. You have to establish that culture in the weight room and on the practice field before showing it on Saturdays.

Building a new roster with 40 new players does not automatically mean Kentucky will have a good football team. They must play well together. Kentucky used the transfer portal to load up on proven players in a prove it year for Mark Stoops. Big Blue Nation will keep that panic button close until the Cats secure a few meaningful wins at Kroger Field.