Kentucky Possibly Turning to Redshirt Freshman QB Kaiya Sheron to Pilot Offense Against South Carolina

Saturday night time could possibly be the chance of a lifetime for redshirt freshman quarterback Kaiya Sheron. 

Late Wednesday night time, Kentucky Sports activities Radio’s Matt Jones reported the information that Kentucky’s star quarterback Will Levis is questionable to play this weekend towards South Carolina: 

KSR went on to report that the QB is “coping with a decrease leg harm” that was suffered final Saturday within the loss to Ole Miss.

Kentucky head coach Mark Stoops stated on Monday at his game-week press convention that the Wildcats are “banged up,” however Levis’ title was by no means talked about as one coping with harm. He in fact handled an injured finger towards the Rebels, however completed the rest of the sport and stated that his play wasn’t impacted. 

Jones’ tweet goes on to say that Sheron will get the nod at QB if Levis is unable to go towards the Gamecocks. 

The Wildcats’ depth chart has each Sheron OR Iowa switch Deuce Hogan listed because the backup, although Sheron’s title is listed first, and he did take the ultimate snap in Kentucky’s 31-0 win over Youngstown State. 

If the worst case state of affairs strikes and Levis cannot play, the No. 13 staff within the nation will probably be within the palms of the Somerset, Ky native. 

So who’s Kaiya Sheron?

Popping out of Somerset Excessive Faculty, the 6-foot-3, 208-pounder was listed as a 3-star recruit and the No. 62 QB within the nation, per 247Sports. 

In three years as a starter for Somerset, Sheron threw for over 3,000 yards and 28 touchdowns. He led the Briar Jumpers to a Class-AA State Championship throughout his junior yr in 2019, additionally being named the Commonwealth Journal Soccer Participant of the Yr that season. He was then tabbed the Commonwealth Journal Offensive Participant of the Yr in his senior marketing campaign. 

Following the switch of former backup QB Beau Allen, the place battle between Sheron and Hogan started. 

Again in August, offensive coordinator Wealthy Scangarello stated this in regards to the QB’s: 

“They’ve accomplished a pleasant job. They’ve gotten alternatives and numerous reps. Now we have supplied an opportunity for them to indicate they’ll play they usually have accomplished that,” he stated. “Till you are taking that pink jersey off and play for actual, you by no means know. But when they must play, I really feel comfy with both one.”

All through fall camp, each head coach Mark Stoops and Scangarello did not give any hints as to who was performing the most effective out of the younger pair. Upon the primary official depth chart releasing forward of the season-opener towards Miami (OH), it was Hogan’s named positioned under Levis’. 

Then the second version was launched forward of Florida, and Sheron’s title had made it to the chart, although it was nonetheless listed behind Hogan. One week later, the names have been flipped, placing the RS freshman as the primary man behind Levis, incomes him that lone snap to shut out the win over the Penguins in week three. 

Changing Levis is one thing that Stoops, Scangarello or anybody has hoped would not must occur all season. Levis places Kentucky’s offense on that higher echelon, permitting extensive receivers like Tayvion Robinson, Dane Key and Barion Brown to standout. Filling in for him is a near-impossible job. 

Whereas Sheron is a pro-style QB, has first rate arm expertise and is cell, the Cats clearly will not ask him to do close to as a lot as Levis does with the ball in his palms. All eyes will doubtless flip to the backfield, calling for a heavy, heavy dose of Chris Rodriguez Jr towards the Gamecocks. 

South Carolina blitzes greater than another staff within the Energy 5. Although it hasn’t had a lot success truly attending to the quarterback, combine that in with a shoddy offensive line, and Sheron is likely to be on the run greater than he’d wish to be in his beginning debut. 

Nothing is confirmed, nonetheless…Levis very nicely might play on Saturday, placing all of Huge Blue Nation relaxed. Stoops will communicate to the media following Thursday’s apply and can doubtless present some readability to the QB scenario. 

If Levis would not see the sector, it will be a sold-out Kroger Subject rooting for the Bluegrass child to guide his staff to a win towards an SEC rival. 

Wildcats In the present day may have updates on Levis’ standing within the lead-up to Saturday’s contest towards South Carolina