Are you in or out on these Kentucky football topics for 2022?

Faculty is out. Memorial Day weekend has handed. The official begin of summer time is a few weeks away. Time to lounge by the pool, shut our eyes and suppose soccer. Higher nonetheless, Kentucky soccer.

With that in thoughts, let’s play “In or Out” the place we’re both optimistic (in) or damaging (out) about offseason soccer subjects pertaining to the Wildcats.

UK can be within the AP preseason High 25 — In. Heading into his tenth season, head coach Mark Stoops is lastly receiving some well-earned nationwide respect. Stoops’ subsequent victory ties him with Bear Bryant as UK’s all-time winningest coach. And judging from the way-to-early High 25s, ballot voters are starting to note.

UK will win the SEC East — Out. There’s a good chance the East Division title comes right down to Georgia-Kentucky at Kroger Discipline on Nov. 19, however it’s tough to choose the Wildcats over the Bulldogs for the journey to Atlanta for the SEC championship sport. Tons of expertise has departed Athens, however Kirby Good has tons of expertise remaining.

Wealthy Scangarello — In. To melt the blow of offensive coordinator Liam Coen’s return to the Los Angeles Rams, Stoops poached Scangarello from Kyle Shanahan’s employees with the San Francisco 49ers. Given his background, Scangarello seems to be the precise match to construct on the pro-style assault Coen initiated a yr in the past.

UK gained’t miss Wan’Dale Robinson — Out. Potential stars exist among the many younger extensive receivers. Virginia Tech switch Tayvion Robinson brings talent and expertise. Nonetheless, it’s tough to think about the Cats can replicate Robinson’s productiveness. A second-round draft alternative by the NFL’s New York Giants, Robinson completed third within the nation with 104 receptions final season. You don’t discover a Wan’Dale on daily basis.

The Will Levis hype — In. Getting ready for his second season as a Energy 5 starter, the Kentucky quarterback has acquired loads of offseason consideration. No marvel. Levis has all of the traits NFL scouts covet, together with sturdy management skills. He’s poised to take a serious step ahead in his senior season.

Don’t fear concerning the Kentucky secondary — Out. UK’s younger defensive backs will want time to develop right into a cohesive unit. The secondary ought to be strong by season’s finish, however search for it to be examined closely within the first month of the season.

Brad White — In. That UK’s defensive coordinator turned down Brian Kelly and LSU to remain in Lexington might have been probably the most optimistic under-the-radar transfer in the whole offseason. White has loads of work to do that fall, however he’s the precise man to do it.

The Chris Rodriguez state of affairs — Out. Questions have swirled concerning the UK working again who was arrested on a DUI cost final month. There was no official phrase from the UK camp concerning the standing of the senior, nevertheless. Bear in mind, Rodriguez rushed for 1,379 yards final season.

Eli Cox is UK’s subsequent offensive line star — In. Throughout his UK tenure, Stoops has executed shrewd strikes on the middle place, first with Jon Toth after which Luke Fortner. Now comes Cox, who’s shifting from 2021 guard to 2022 middle. The previous West Jessamine star earned rave critiques within the spring and can be ready to assist his youthful teammates alongside the Large Blue Wall come fall.

Tennessee will cross Kentucky within the East — Out. Don’t get me fallacious, second-year head coach Josh Heupel has the Volunteers pointed in the precise path. Lastly. However UT nonetheless wants to repair a protection that ranked 99th out of 130 FBS groups in yards allowed per sport final season.

Kentucky can win 10 video games once more — In. I’m not able to make a ultimate win-loss projection. A lot can occur between now and the Sept. 3 opener towards Miami (Ohio). The UK schedule does arrange properly, nevertheless. Eight residence video games is an efficient place to begin. The October stretch of Ole Miss (away), South Carolina (residence), Mississippi State (residence) and Tennessee (away) will inform the story.