Wildcats that Pass Early Look Test at Kentucky Spring Practice

Tuesday morning a handful of the best and brightest at Kentucky Sports Radio got our first look at Mark Stoops’ 2023 Kentucky football team. Freddie Maggard has shared some of his insight. I’m going to start by keeping it simple.

“Who is that guy?”

It’s a question often asked when getting a first look in person at the team. The following players made a significant impression at Spring Practice.

DL Deone Walker

I’ve watched hundreds of defensive linemen hit a sled. Deone Walker breaks the routine by defying all pre-conceived norms. Every once in a while you see a player and you can’t help but marvel at what he’s able to do during every rep. When Josh Allen was lining up on third down, he was the only player I watched. Deone Walker isn’t quite there yet, but I will not be surprised when he reaches that apex. That’s a Dude.

He was not the only one in the room that jumped out. As Freddie shared, the overall look of the defensive line appears prepared for a long season of SEC football. Ox is back to looking like an Ox, Tre’Vonn Rybka is in the best shape I’ve seen him and Keeshawn Silver looks the part standing next to Walker. The devil is in the details for Silver. The former 5-star prospect can be a 2-gapper at nose guard if those details get ironed out over the next six months, but the rest of the room isn’t waiting. Josaih Hayes showed some explosiveness off the ball during the 11-on-11 period.

WR Barion Brown

Barion Brown is going to catch so many passes in Liam Coen’s offense. If he can run by his defender, Devin Leary will get him the ball. It’s not just go-balls. There was an excellent comeback where he dipped on toe down inbounds, followed by a nice catch over the middle of the field out of a bunch set. The Hype Train may go off the tracks after a few weeks because this guy is incredible. Consistency is the key that can take him to new heights.

CB JQ Hardaway

As Adam Luckett put it, if Brad White built a cornerback in a factory for his defense, it would be JQ Hardaway. The Cincinnati transfer is far from a polished product, but the combination of length and speed is exactly what the Wildcats want on the edge of the defense.

TE Khamari Anderson

There’s no way Khamari Anderson should still be in high school. My brain can’t wrap my head around it. The 17-year-old looked like he belonged on an SEC football field and he can’t even buy a lottery ticket. It’s not just the size. He has deceptive speed to win one-on-ones over safeties. With three tight ends sidelined this spring by injury, he’ll get a ton of valuable reps that will pay dividends when he’s asked to be a primary playmaker in 2024.

Subscribe to the KSR YouTube Channel for press conferences, interviews, original shows, fan features, and exclusive content.

QB Devin Leary

After watching a linebacker line up under center for two years, my scope is all out of whack. Devin Leary looked tiny, but that’s not the case. He’s just an averaged sized quarterback following in the footsteps of a body-builder at the position.

Leary was lauded as an accurate passer. Even without stats, you can feel it while watching practice. Aside from a drop here and there, balls aren’t on the ground. Whether it’s a deep pass, a short toss to the flat or in traffic across the middle of the field, Leary puts the ball on the money. More importantly, he makes it look easy. The offense was playing pitch and catch against an experienced, sound pass defense.

Big Blue Wall

The Big Blue Wall earned its nickname as mauling, road-graders. That was absent during Rich Scangarello’s short-lived Kentucky tenure. There was one play in particular that popped where Ray Davis ran through a hole that I could have limped through for a couple of yards.

This group is determined to right the wrongs of last year and the left side of the line of scrimmage appears prepared to lead the way. Kenneth Horsey is back at home, lining up next to a guy that looks the part, Marques Cox. The size matters at left tackle, but I was more intrigued by his fluid movement around the line of scrimmage. When Kentucky needs to gain some hard yards on the ground, I’m confident the left side of the line can take care of business.

EDGE Tyreese Fearbry

A former four-star recruit from Pittsburgh, Tyreese Fearbry has always physically fit the profile of an SEC pass-rusher. He arrived on the smaller side, yet it appears he used his first year on campus to add good weight, especially in his trunk, providing some much-needed power to withstand the physical strain of playing in the best conference in college football.

Today he surprised me with his coverage ability. Fearbry made an incredible diving interception on a hitch route, jumping a passing lane that appeared out of reach. How much will he factor into the equation this fall? It’s yet to be determined, but the talented young athlete has a bright future.

RB Dee Beckwith

This guy is a First Team “Looks Good in Shorts” All-American. No wonder the WWE wanted him in their NIL class. He’s a monster lining up at tailback. How much will he play for Kentucky? Beats me, but holy moly, Dee Beckwith is a mammoth human being.

WR Brandon White

“Who’s 18?” I did not write off Brandon White when he signed with Kentucky. He just got lost in the shuffle with a bunch of other fast, talented pass-catchers in the 2022 recruiting class. Jordan Anthony is still not back from track, paving the way for White to get reps out of the slot and slip through the defense. Similar to the way Rahsaan Lewis shined during practices, White could be a big-play producer during the week that finds his way onto the field for a few eye-opening moments on Saturdays.

Continue the Kentucky Spring Football conversation at KSBoard, the KSR+ Message Board. Take advantage of our KSR+ Launch Special, only $10 till football season.