Thoughts and observations from the Kentucky spring game that wasn’t played
Efforts to combat the spread of COVID-19 forced the cancellation a few weeks ago of Kentucky’s annual Blue-White Spring Game that was originally scheduled for Saturday.
On one hand, the loss of the spring game is a blessing in disguise: it’s less a football game and more a talent show with the added risk of injury. On the other, it would have been the culmination of a month’s worth of work for lots of guys — especially younger roster members — aiming to leave a positive impression in coaches’ minds heading into summer workouts.
Kentucky is more fortunate than some teams that lost their spring practice period. The Wildcats return 15 of the offensive and defensive starters from their Belk Bowl win over Virginia Tech as well as starting specialists Max Duffy and Matt Ruffolo. Add in the expected returns of quarterback Terry Wilson and defensive back Davonte Robinson, and you have 19 players with oodles of starts under their belts — not to mention several more who’ve seen the field behind them.
Despite all that experience, there were things we could have gleaned or over-reacted to in the spring. So let’s make some observations about a game that will never be played.
QB controversy
Having some fun, here’s how a fictional game could have looked for the quarterbacks:
“Sidelined by injuries after showing glimpses of greatness early in his relief of Wilson, Sawyer Smith came out on fire as the Blue team’s starter, connecting on his first 12 passes and finishing 23-of-26 for 330 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions.
“Joey Gatewood, his opposite for the White Team, was just as impressive. Gatewood rushed for nearly 100 yards (a timely tackle by J.J. Weaver in the third quarter on a third-and-3 try kept him 2 yards short) and threw for two TDs himself. True freshman Beau Allen and redshirt freshman Amani Gilmore were dynamite in limited action.”
Over-reaction: Wilson better be ready when he returns, because his job is in jeopardy. The guys behind him look incredible.
Reality: Every quarterback looks good against spring defenses. Kentucky’s depth of talent at the position is exciting, but until proven otherwise, it’s (a healthy) Wilson’s job to lose. Another year in the system will make Smith an even more viable backup and Gatewood’s eligibility is still up in the air, so projecting his contributions is a fool’s errand at this point.
Early enrollees
In addition to Allen and Gatewood, nine other scholarship players enrolled early: Sam Anaele, Kalil Branham, Deondre Buford, D’Eryk Jackson, JuTahn McClain, Andru Phillips, Joel Williams and John Young. All of them probably would have seen the field
McClain and Young were among those who showed out early in their limited practice time as Cats. The development of guys like Young, a four-star lineman who could play guard or tackle, will be especially important following the 2020 season, after which UK could lose the entirety of its starting offensive line. McClain, on the other hand, adds to an already-stacked room of running backs featuring a senior starter (A.J. Rose), sophomores Chris Rodriguez, Kavosiey Smoke and redshirt freshman Travis Tisdale.
Over-reaction: Mark Stoops is going to have his hands full managing minutes as his best recruiting class starts making a case for playing time. I mean, those new guys want it.
Reality: The best programs in the Southeastern Conference have the luxury of bringing in top-ranked class after top-ranked class with the understanding that guys must wait their turn. UK last year, for the first time under Stoops, redshirted its entire freshman class. That isn’t likely to happen in 2020, but ideally, the majority of UK’s newcomers won’t have an impact this year. The more that’s able to be the case, the more it shows that the Cats have arrived.
Defensive concerns
Kentucky’s front lost All-SEC team member Calvin Taylor and 28-game starter T.J. Carter on the ends of its defense, and would have used this spring to start figuring out how that rotation will get locked in come fall. Josh Paschal, a linebacker last season, was moved back to defensive end and projects as a starter there along with Jordan Wright (the “Jack” linebacker). Much will be asked of Phil Hoskins, who was granted a sixth year after missing all of last season, at defensive tackle.
Over-reaction: The front of UK’s defense will be its Achilles heel.
Reality: This group has the most to shore up between now and whenever football is played, but it’s more position-based than it is talent. Guys who’ve been around awhile will be asked to step up in new, or increased, roles, but will have a stout corps of experience-rich linebackers to back them up. A secondary that was doubted last season should only be stronger, too, so the growing pains should be minimal.
