Kentucky football star Chris Rodriguez will return for Wildcats’ game at Ole Miss

Kentucky football star Chris Rodriguez is set to return to the field in October.

The Wildcats running back has missed the first two games of the season due to an undisclosed off-field issue. Kentucky announced Monday the suspension would last another two games, clearing him to return on Oct. 1 at Ole Miss.

UK coach Mark Stoops said he was happy to welcome Rodriguez back to the team but declined to comment on the reason for the suspension or who made the final decision that it would last four games. Last week, multiple reports said the NCAA was involved in reviewing Rodriguez’s eligibility.

“We’ve been prepared to handle this situation for weeks now,” Stoops said. “We’ve been getting the other (running backs) ready, continuing to progress but also keep him in shape, get him reps when we can. Chris is wonderful because he’s competing on scout team. He goes down there and gets his reps down there. He’s willing to do scout team special teams. He’s doing whatever he can to stay in shape, get those movements down with the run game and continue to take reps with the first- and second-team offense when he can. He’s staying active and getting ready to go. We’ll continue to build with the running backs we have available.”

Rodriguez pleaded guilty to a DUI charge in July, but the suspension is believed to be related to a second incident that Stoops has repeatedly declined to confirm, citing student privacy concerns. On Monday, Stoops declined to confirm the NCAA was involved in the decision, but he has in the past acknowledged the decision was not being made by him alone, saying “I have bosses and they have bosses.”

Rodriguez, from McDonough, Georgia, 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.

“I realize you all have a job to do and everybody wants to dig at it, but it is what it is,” Stoops said. “He’ll be back the Ole Miss game and we will be more than happy to welcome him back and have him go compete when he can.”

▪ The Southeastern Conference announced Monday that Kentucky’s home game against Northern Illinois on Saturday, Sept. 24, will kick off at 7 p.m. ET and be televised on ESPN2.

This story was originally published September 12, 2022 at 12:11 PM.

Jon Hale

Lexington Herald-Leader

(859) 414-6776

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