Ramon Jefferson can give Kentucky's potent ground game another weapon

Following the 2020 season, Mark Stoops decided to make changes to his offense at Kentucky because the passing game had fallen so behind. That transition started last year, and the future seems bright thanks to a recent recruiting boom at wide receiver.

Everyone loves the vertical passes, but that won’t be Kentucky’s identity. Stoops still wants a ground and pound approach to his offenses and that showed up in 2021 under Liam Coen as the Wildcats ranked No. 39 in run play percentage (56.8%). You will see a run-first method in Lexington and that will likely stay the same with Rich Scangarello. Kentucky hopes this physical identity will open up lanes in the play-action passing game.

Last fall, Kentucky had one of the most efficient rushing attacks in college football, and it led to the Wildcats producing a top-25 offense that scored 32.3 points per game and averaged 6.4 yards per play. The offense was able to have that success due to its efficiency. Kentucky ranked No. 5 nationally in success rate (51.1%) as the offense was consistently able to stay ahead of the chains.

Will Levis and Chris Rodriguez Jr. led the way with some impressive rushing numbers. To improve the group this offseason, Kentucky added super senior transfer Ramon Jefferson to the lineup. Blending this trio could give the Wildcats one of the best rushing offenses in college football.

• Rodriguez (13 games): 1,378 yards, 55.1% success rate, 6.1 yards per rush
• Jefferson (12 games): 1,155 yards, 51.4% success rate, 6.7 yards per rush
• Levis (13 games): 514 yards (non-sack), 65.9% success rate, 6.0 yards per rush

The Wildcats have rushed for at least 195 yards per game in each year over the last four seasons. In that run, this offense has had a yards per rush average finish of 22.7 nationally. In three of those years, Kentucky had one of the worst passing offenses in the Power Five. Kentucky hangs its hat on physical offensive line play leading strong rushing performances.

Jefferson is entering a loaded position room, but the veteran is already impressing people at the Joe Craft Football Training Facility.

“He’s a football player,” Scangarello said about the transfer on Tuesday. “Ramon was very productive the last two years. He was part of the COVID year, they [Sam Houston State] 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,” 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.”

Another big gain and another touchdown for Doug Martin 💪#BroncoThrowback pic.twitter.com/ytG1jtkAGL

— Boise State Football (@BroncoSportsFB) April 17, 2020

Ramon Jefferson shows on tape that the tailback is a clear scheme fit for Kentucky’s zone running game that brings size (5-10, 215) and some explosiveness. Over 21 percent of his rushes went for 10-plus yards last season, and that would’ve been the highest mark for a tailback on Kentucky’s team.

The super senior has 3,997 career rushing yards and has flashed value in the passing game as both a receiver and pass protector. The room is deep for assistant coach John Settle. Kavosiey Smoke is a redshirt senior with 1,306 career rushing yards, and redshirt freshman La’Vell Wright looks like a potential RB1 for the program down the road. However, Jefferson is bringing proven consistent production and could be a great counter to Rodriguez’s physical running style.

Ramon Jefferson knows how to operate in a wide zone operation, and his presence will help this offense continue its transition after a rocky first season under Coen. In totality, Kentucky projects as one of the best rushing offenses in 2022 thanks to a strong offensive line culture, a proven NFL rushing playbook, and a talented tailback room with a plethora of options.

“I’ve never been on a team this deep at running back,” Levis said.