Ramon Jefferson might be Kentucky's most important offensive player in September

The transfer portal is a key roster-building tool that the Kentucky football program has leaned into. Last year, Kentucky added four starters from the portal highlighted by Wan’Dale Robinson becoming one of the best wide receivers in college football.

In preparation for the 2022 season, Kentucky added eight scholarship transfers, and 2-3 players were projected to be opening day starters for the Wildcats. That number could climb to four with the latest news.

On Friday, KSR’s Matt Jones reported that multiple sources indicate that star tailback Chris Rodriguez Jr. will be suspended for the first 3-4 games. Kentucky could be without one of the best tailbacks in college football for September.

Over the offseason, Kentucky had some options at running back. Both TCU’s Zach Evans and LSU‘s Corey Kiner seemed like possible options for the Wildcats. Kentucky never made a serious run at either due to the depth of the tailback room and the return of Rodriguez.

That changed when an eligibility concern arose in May.

Kentucky then decided to change its stance on running back additions. FCS transfer Ramon Jefferson (5-10, 215, Super) originally committed to Colorado before reopening his recruitment. Tennessee also made a run at the Sam Houston transfer before the New York native committed to Kentucky on June 28. That addition is now very important.

Throughout fall camp, members of Kentucky’s organization have been very impressed with the transfer. The super senior could be an opening day starter on Sept. 3.

“He’s a football player,” Kentucky offensive coordinator Rich Scangarello said about Jefferson. “Ramon was very productive the last two years. He was part of the COVID year, they [Sam Houston] won the national title. He’s a really good zone runner, he’s got good feel for combinations. He’s physical, he’s a grown man. He’s had a lot in his life that’s he’s dealt with and had to overcome.”

“He’s a bowling ball,” Kentucky quarterback Will Levis told KSR. “He’s a little mighty mouse, he’s like Doug Martin. He’s got a good feel. He bounces it when he’s supposed to bounce it, and he cuts when he’s supposed to cut. If you watch his tape, he kind of just jumps out immediately.”

Over his five-year career that has included stops at Maine, Garden City Community College, and Sam Houston, Jefferson has played in 45 games rushing for 3,997 yards and 41 touchdowns on 6.3 yards per rush. The statistical profile he put together in 2021 was similar to Rodriguez’s.

• Chris Rodriguez Jr. (13 games): 1,378 yards, 55.1% success rate, 16.4% explosive run rate (10+ yards), 6.1 yards per rush
• Ramon Jefferson (12 games): 1,155 yards, 51.4% success rate, 22% explosive run rate, 6.7 yards per rush

Jefferson received an elite 91.4 grade in 424 snaps from PFF in 2021. The tailback is a scheme fit for a wide zone offense with good vision and strong cut ability that has been shown repeatedly on tape in a variety of offenses. The super senior could receive a large role as Kentucky looks to adjust to life without Chris Rodriguez.

A platoon at tailback is quite possible early as the Cats play three non-conference games and one important SEC game, but Ramon Jefferson appears like the top option entering the year. The transfer portal gave Kentucky a late value add before the 2022 season.

The offense in Lexington is hopeful that the new addition will translate easily to a higher level and give Kentucky solid production as the offense awaits Chris Rodriguez Jr.’s return. Ramon Jefferson could be the No. 1 option as Kentucky looks to establish the run to open up the play-action pass game in this pro-style scheme.