Chris Rodriguez absent from Kentucky football’s opening depth chart, signaling suspension

The first Kentucky football depth chart of the 2022 season was missing a prominent name.

As expected, senior running back Chris Rodriguez was omitted from the Week 1 depth chart, signaling he will miss the opening game against Miami (Ohio) as part of what is expected to be a multi-game suspension. Rodriguez pleaded guilty to a DUI charge in July and is reportedly facing discipline for another off-field incident that UK coaches have not confirmed.

Asked about the length of Rodriguez’s suspension, Kentucky coach Mark Stoops said he expected a few players to “have multiple-game suspensions” but then declined to confirm any specific player was suspended. Later in his Monday news conference, Stoops confirmed senior outside linebacker Jordan Wright was another of the players unavailable for the opener.

“These players have some rights, as well, and I have to be very conscientious of that,” Stoops said, noting he would address future absences next week.

Stoops said he did not yet know how long the absences would be.

Rodriguez is the SEC’s top returning rusher after totaling 1,379 yards and 12 touchdowns last season. He enters the season sixth on UK’s career rushing yards list (2,740). Rodriguez needs 1,134 yards to break Benny Snell’s career rushing record.

With Rodriguez out, senior Kavosiey Smoke was listed as the starter for Kentucky at running back. Sam Houston State transfer Ramon Jefferson was listed as Smoke’s backup.

Stoops applauded Smoke for the progress he has made since spring practice, when he was the fifth running back at one point but confirmed multiple running backs will see snaps in the opener.

“I think they’ve done a heck of a job,” running back coach John Settle said of the running backs behind Rodriguez in an interview with the Herald-Leader last week. “… I think it’s a very competitive group. They knew from Day One my history has been to try to create as much competition within the position group as I can. That way, we know whoever is on the field during the game is going to be very capable of helping us.”

Stoops said he thinks at least one of the unavailable players might be back for the second game at Florida, but the length of the absences for others was still undetermined.

“’I’ve been in tune to this situation for awhile,” Stoops said. “I haven’t been withholding. It’s just things change. … Things evolve, things change. Information comes and goes. There’s different layers to things. That means there’s multiple different entities involved. I prefer not to dig anymore into it. I’m not withholding anything. I’ve been pretty in tune with what I felt like things were going to happen, but I have bosses and they have bosses.”

Kentucky football depth chart takeaways

Elsewhere on the Kentucky depth chart, the resolution of multiple preseason position battles was revealed. Newcomers figure to play an important role for the Wildcats in the opener.

▪ Lexington native Jager Burton was listed as the starter at left guard with senior Kenneth Horsey listed as the backup. Horsey has missed a large portion of preseason practice with an undisclosed injury, and Stoops confirmed Horsey was only listed second due to his injury. Redshirt freshman David Wohlabaugh was listed as the starter at left tackle.

▪ The two-deep depth chart featured several freshmen in prominent roles, including starters Dane Key and Barion Brown at wide receiver. Brown was also listed as the top kick returner. Left tackle Kiyaunta Goodwin, tight end Josh Kattus, outside linebacker Keaten Wade, defensive tackle Deone Walker and nickel back Alex Afari were freshmen listed as backups.

▪ Iowa transfer Deuce Hogan was listed as the backup quarterback behind Will Levis.

▪ Ole Miss transfer Keidron Smith won the starting cornerback spot opposite Carrington Valentine. Virginia Tech transfer Tayvion Robinson was listed as the starter at the slot wide receiver position. Auburn transfer Tashawn Manning was listed as the starter at right guard. Jefferson and former Texas State safety Zion Childress were transfers listed as backups on the depth chart.

This story was originally published August 29, 2022 at 11:57 AM.

Jon Hale

Lexington Herald-Leader

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Jon Hale is the University of Kentucky football beat writer for the Lexington Herald-Leader. He joined the Herald-Leader in 2022 but has covered UK athletics for more than 10 years. Hale was named the 2021 Kentucky Sportswriter of the Year. Support my work with a digital subscription