Ten things to know from Kentucky’s open football practice this week
Observations, thoughts and notes following Kentucky’s Tuesday practice, which was open to members of the media:
▪ Mark Stoops’ clamoring for an updated indoor practice facility finally resulted in the approval of a renovation last month by UK’s Board of Trustees. It’s easy to see why he wants it. Kentucky’s “spring” practice was held inside due to sub-30 degree temperatures, and thus players were crammed closer together for on-field drills. The turf’s in rough shape, too, and at least partially played a role in the scariest moment of the morning: Dekel Crowdus, who’s recovering from a knee injury that sidelined him during his freshman season, cut inside on a passing route and went sliding to the ground. Stoops rushed over from across the field and initially helped the former Frederick Douglass star walk back over to the huddle before he finished fine on his own. He appeared to favor his left ankle, not his knee.
▪ It was not the best morning for UK’s offense in terms of taking care of the rock. Multiple balls ended up on the ground and three interceptions were thrown by quarterback Will Levis, two of them in team “scrimmage” situations. “We weren’t nearly as sharp as we’ve been,” offensive coordinator Rich Scangarello said. “The defense did some good things. … Honestly, until you watch the film, you don’t know fully what happened. But as long as we take care of the football, the other stuff we can always fix.”
▪ Defensive end J.J. Weaver called Jordan Lovett “a dog” last week. He swooped in and caused the final interception of the day which, if it’d been an actual game on a regulation field, might have been taken back for a touchdown by Ty Ajian. It was a great play by the North Hardin product, who’s competing for playing time in a secondary that’s in need of a boost after losing multiple starters to graduation and a highlight-reel hitter (Vito Tisdale) to injury. “He looks like Yusuf (Corker) to me,” Weaver said. “He can come down and hit somebody or he can cover.” Andru Phillips, contending for the open cornerback job opposite Carrington Valentine, tipped a pass to Jalen Geiger for a pick during the team session, as well.
▪ The most exciting connection of the morning? A downfield heave from Deuce Hogan, an Iowa transfer who’s in Lexington now as a walk-on, to Clevan Thomas, a senior returning from a knee injury. Thomas didn’t work much with the No. 1’s on Tuesday but should be a steadying presence in the receiving room this fall.
▪ Levis and Tayvion Robinson appear to be in good sync already. The former was able to jibe quickly with Wan’Dale Robinson a year ago, so it’s not surprising that he’d be able to get into a rhythm with another Power Five transfer. Still, it’s good to have visual confirmation.
▪ Was impressed by the burst Sam Anaele and Kahlil Saunders showed at times during the team “scrimmages.” They and other young defensive ends are getting valuable reps with Jordan Wright sidelined through the spring. Wright, who’s recovering from an offseason surgery, was partially in uniform at practice and seemed to be in good spirits.
▪ The No. 1 offensive linemen on Tuesday: Deondre Buford (LT), Kenneth Horsey (LG), Eli Cox (C), Tashawn Manning (RG) and Jeremy Flax (RT). The 2’s: Kiyaunta Goodwin (LT), John Young (LG), Quintin Wilson (C), Jager Burton (RG) and David Wohlabaugh (RT).
▪ Flax, who coming out of last spring appeared to be the starting right tackle, did not end up playing a whole lot on offense last season. His confidence is higher this year, he told reporters Tuesday, and he’s slimmed down considerably; he’s down to 330 pounds from 355 last season. The top priority for his group this season? Shoring up pass protection. “We’ve been a run-heavy team for a long time at Kentucky, so running the ball has never really been an issue, and it’s not going to be an issue this year,” Flax said. “(We) just got to make sure we give Will more time in there, stay more firm and tweak the little things that we can make way better for our quarterback.”
▪ Many things can change but as of Tuesday, I’d be surprised if true freshman Dane Key isn’t playing a lot for the UK football team this fall. I would not be surprised if he earns a starting job; the former Frederick Douglass star looks the part of an SEC receiver and is backing it up with his play. “He’s a guy that I would expect to come in and play, just because he has that size and ability to make competitive catches,” Stoops said of him in December. So far, that assessment seems sound.
▪ Kentucky’s keen on making the fullback part of its game plan. Justice Dingle spent several reps with the 1’s lined behind Levis, and the former linebacker looked like a natural. “The exciting part of college football is not a lot of people face it,” Scangarello said of game-planning for a fullback formation. “That gives you an advantage when they don’t understand how to fit the run or things you can do to help run the football or spread people out with a guy who’s versatile and creating matchups in space.”
This story was originally published March 29, 2022 at 1:00 PM.
