Name To Watch: Chauncey Magwood turned heads in practice

Josh Ali and Wan’Dale Robinson are locked in at two of Kentucky’s wide receiver spots. Ali, a versatile super-senior, back after leading Kentucky in receiving in 2020; Robinson, a preseason All-SEC transfer from Nebraska where he led the Huskers in both receiving and all-purpose yards. Expectations are they will be the school’s best receiving duo in many years, and the staff is counting on them to make life easier for Will Levis, the new QB1. Ali and Robinson are so highly regarded, an assistant coach scolded a defensive back for too much contact with Robinson during Tuesday’s practice.

Those two aside, the remaining wide receiver reps are still completely up for grabs.

Back in the spring, Clevan Thomas, a fifth-year senior with experience in 29 games, was a front-runner for a breakout year opposite the two stars until he tore his ACL in spring practice. Then just last week, true freshman Dekel Crowdus suffered a significant leg injury that will keep the speedy receiver sidelined for the remainder of camp and possibly longer (but did not need surgery, thankfully). A third receiver option, sophomore Michael Drennen moved over to running back at the start of fall camp. Another, sophomore Izayah Cummings moved over to tight end to lend a receiving hand after Keaton Upshaw’s season-ending injury during a summer workout.

So who’s left in the receiver room? Given the lack of experience, it’s a fair question.

DeMarcus Harris is a familiar name with seven starts a year ago, his redshirt freshman season. Harris finished fourth on the team with 14 receptions for 87 yards with a four-catch performance in the win over Vanderbilt. Isaiah Epps also brings experience in the passing game. Though injured for a lot of his career, he had eight catches for 63 yards in six games in 2020, his redshirt junior season. Being available has been Epps’ biggest hurdle.

Now for a name you haven’t heard as much, but will soon…

Chauncey Magwood

Before Liam Coen singled him out in the post-practice press conference, true freshman Chauncey Magwood let his play do the talking during the 7-on-7 and scrimmage drills on Tuesday, part of an open practice for members of the media. Mostly playing from the slot (at least when I was looking), Magwood got free on a couple of wheel routes for open field receptions. One of his top plays, he made a back-shoulder catch in traffic about 20 yards downfield.

WKYT’s Alex Walker caught it on film:

QB1 ALERT: @UKFootball's @will_levis has a cannon with the accuracy to back it up. Who is ready for September 4?

1) Long dime to Isaiah Epps
2) Strike to Chauncey Magwood (@illest_magg) #BBN pic.twitter.com/TIxGkvsoQr

— Alex Walker (@AlexWalkerTV) August 17, 2021

Afterward, the new offensive coordinator was asked if any of the young receivers were separating themselves in the early part of camp, and Coen was quick to name Magwood.

“I think Chauncey Magwood has done a nice job,” Coen responded. “He’s the type of kid that can play all three positions. He’s a smart kid. He works at it. It’s a testament to him to be able to come in as a freshman and really function at all three spots of the receiver corps.”

It should come as no surprise that Magwood is ahead of the curve learning the playbook; after all, he had to leave his natural position of wide receiver to take over at quarterback his senior season of high school.

Playing for Lee County down in Georgia, Magwood threw for almost 1,000 yards with 12 touchdowns while running for another 600 and six touchdowns, and was minutes from winning Georgia’s 6A state championship game his senior year. A 21-yard Magwood TD run put Lee County up seven with under two minutes to go, but the opposing team tied it back up and kicked a field goal in overtime to win the title.

A heartbreaking end to his high school career, Magwood still had two other state championship victories to look back on. He started all 58 games over four years (three at WR, one at QB) with a 52-6 record and three state championship title game appearances.

With that background, Magwood came in with a winner’s mentality, and there are battles to be won in the receiver room. Today he looked the part in live action, and Coen’s comments coincide with what I heard earlier through the scoop wire, that Magwood is ahead of his coaches’ expectations and won’t wait long to get in-game opportunities.