No UK football players have opted out of upcoming season, but some still sidelined
There’s plenty of time for things to go sideways and keep the University of Kentucky football team from playing this fall. And if they do play, those games will look nothing like any that have been played in about 100 years.
Head coach Mark Stoops, never one to speculate even during normal days, was mostly disinterested in wondering aloud what the impact of no or reduced fans at Kroger Field and on the road might be, or making generalizations about the Southeastern Conference’s decision to move forward with preparing for the football season after the Big Ten and Pac-12 sidelined their teams.
UK’s first practice was scheduled for Tuesday evening, and Stoops was much more concerned with the Cats focusing on what they can control: themselves.
“I know we’re gonna work exceptionally hard to have our team prepared,” Stoops said in a Zoom teleconference Tuesday. “We’re guaranteed 10 opportunities at this point and we’re gonna work around the clock and have a relentless pursuit to have our team prepared each and every week.”
Players have been reminded by Stoops and athletics director Mitch Barnhart directly that they can opt out of the 2020 season without any repercussions, but none up to Tuesday had expressed a desire to do so. That could change, Stoops said, but as of now it would make UK something of an anomaly among SEC teams, as several have had multiple players share their intention of sitting out because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
UK isn’t at full strength, however. While starting quarterback Terry Wilson is healthy, reserve Nik Scalzo — a redshirt freshman who suffered an ACL tear, his second in less than a year, during last year’s fall camp — is not yet ready to be a full participant again in practice.
“With Nik, I want to be very smart and cautious with him,” Stoops said. “We have some depth at the quarterback position this year. He’s coming off two knee surgeries in back-to-back years and I want to really give him the opportunity to heal up. He’s so anxious and ready to get out there at any given time.”
Isaiah Epps, a junior wide receiver who sat out all of last season with a foot injury, also is not yet cleared to practice.
“It’s been a problem, there’s no denying that, with the foot,” Stoops said. “We feel like we’re on the right track. He’s certainly getting better, healing up properly and I’m really excited to get him back out there. I know he is as well.”
Stoops addressed the health situation of Chris Oats, a junior inside linebacker. Oats over the summer suffered an undisclosed health issue and remains in a rehab facility at this time, but is “doing better.”
“He definitely has a long way to recovery,” Stoops said. “… That’s all I really want to touch on that, out of respect to Chris and his family. But we are certainly always praying for Chris, the whole team, and we want to recognize and honor him at some point.”
The status of the eligibility waiver applied for on behalf of Auburn transfer Joey Gatewood also isn’t yet clear. That was another thing about which Stoops chose not to speculate.
“We expect an answer here relatively soon,” Stoops said.
