Kentucky

Preseason Perceptions Fail to Meet Reality for Kentucky Offensive Line

Published

2 years ago

September 8, 2024

Preseason Perceptions Fail to Meet Reality for Kentucky Offensive Line

Saturday night’s loss to South Carolina was an all-systems failure. Blaming one specific position group would be too harsh, but the play of the offensive line was specifically jarring for a variety of reasons.

Before the 2023 season even ended, Mark Stoops challenged his program to be more physical in the trenches. Big men led the way for success early in his tenure and they were staying from that identity.

Stoops made significant changes to address that concern, including a controversial one. After seemingly giving Zach Yenser a stamp of approval by extending his contract following the victory over Louisville, Yenser was replaced in January by Eric Wolford. The offensive line coach’s departure following the 2021 season was roundly criticized by folks around the program. Despite a couple of ho-hum seasons at Alabama — the Crimson Tide allowed more sacks than any other SEC program in 2023 — Stoops believed Wolford could restore the Big Blue Wall.

In addition to the changes at the top of the chain of command, Kentucky brought in reinforcements from the SEC ranks. Gerald Mincey transferred from Tennessee and Jalen Farmer made the move from Florida to assume starting positions on the right side of the line. On paper, the Cats appeared to address concerns to take a big step in the right direction.

Preseason Confidence in the Kentucky Offensive Line

The changes up front brought confidence to the unit, although there were some troublesome signs in the preseason. Like the lead-up to the disastrous 2022 season, injuries to the first five sidelined multiple starters at various points throughout training camp. Could this group create continuity if they weren’t able to practice together in August?

I read the tea leaves and voiced my concerns by questioning multiple people close to the program who watched the Wildcats in the preseason. Every time I directly asked if I should be concerned about the offensive line, the response was, “I’m not worried about the offensive line.” That’s why my insider notes from Aug. 20 started with the subheading, “Squashing Offensive Line Concerns.”

The Kentucky football program believed this offensive line could deliver, despite a lack of depth and new pieces to the puzzle. When they were faced against their first formidable foe, they fell flat. Two weeks into the season Kentucky is ranked dead last in the FBS in pass-blocking efficiency.

In the postgame press conference, I directly asked Stoops about the disconnect between the preseason optimism and the putrid performance against South Carolina.

“We didn’t play good enough today. Period. I’m not going to put it all on the offensive line. But they didn’t play good enough and I could probably say that about every group,” Stoops said. “We are in this together and every group needs to play at a higher level and they certainly do.”

Can Big Men Still Lead the Way?

The strength of the South Carolina defense is in its front seven. There are future pros in that group. Dylan Stewart might end up being a top-five pick in a couple of years. The Gamecocks completely owned the trenches to a shocking degree, essentially eliminating Kentucky’s ability to even call pass plays.

The problem is that the Kentucky offensive line is going to face plenty of other future pros this fall. Georgia will certainly be bringing some to Kroger Field. Tennessee’s James Pearce was a preseason All-American.

Extrapolating one performance to forecast ten more is a dangerous game to play. We just learned that after South Carolina’s lackluster opener against Old Dominion. However, there’s one big question about the Kentucky football program that’s lingering.

Does Kentucky have the big men to lead the way? The foundation of Stoops’ success was built on dominant play in the trenches. He’s well aware of that, which is why he worked so hard to fix it this offseason. Was that just lightning in a bottle or is it sustainable?

The best Kentucky offenses under Stoops had some of the best offensive lines in the SEC, and that’s clearly not the case this fall. The Wildcats must find a way to field a competent passing offense without one of the best offensive lines in the country.

Got thoughts? Continue the conversation on KSBoard, the KSR Message Board.

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Kentucky

Kentucky State Police looking for missing teen in Clay County

Published

3 hours ago

April 7, 2026

Press Room

Kentucky State Police looking for missing teen in Clay County

CLAY COUNTY, Ky. (WKYT) – Kentucky State Police is asking for help to find a missing teenage girl.

16-year-old Gracie Smith was last seen Tuesday night at Jacks Branch Bible Church in Manchester. Troopers believe she was picked up by an unknown person in a blue passenger car near the church.

Gracie was last seen wearing a white shirt, light pink jacket and pink pajama pants.

Anyone with information is asked to call Kentucky State Police Post 11.

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Kentucky

Former Kentucky Transfer Portal Target Magoon Gwath Re-Enters Free Agency

Published

1 day ago

April 6, 2026

Press Room

Former Kentucky Transfer Portal Target Magoon Gwath Re-Enters Free Agency

A familiar name will be back in the transfer portal when the official window opens at midnight. Magoon Gwath is once again testing the free agency market.

Gwath was a player BBN kept a close eye on early in the 2025 transfer portal cycle. Kentucky and Michigan were considered the top potential destinations for the 7-footer when he surprisingly announced a return to San Diego State. When the San Diego Union-Tribune reported his return to the Aztecs on April 1, the lede was “This is not an April Fool’s joke.”

The decision was so surprising because of Gwath’s resume. He arrived in San Diego as an unranked recruit. During his first season with the Aztecs, the 7-footer averaged 8.5 points, 5.2 rebounds, and a league-leading 2.6 blocks per game, earning Mountain West Freshman of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year honors.

Ahead of his return, head coach Brian Dutcher noted that Gwath was taking a pay cut to show his loyalty to the program that gave him a shot. That gamble did not pay off for either side. San Diego State missed the NCAA Tournament for the first time in six seasons, as Gwath’s minutes per game slightly dipped to 19, tallying 8.9 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks per contest in 2025-26.

It’s unclear if Kentucky will take another swing at the lengthy 7-footer during this transfer portal cycle. What is clear is that there will be no shortage of chaos when the free agency period officially tips off at midnight. We’ll be locked in every step of the way.

Want more Kentucky Transfer Portal Coverage? Join KSR+

KSR has been delivering UK Sports news in the most ridiculous manner for almost two decades. Now, you can get even more coverage of the Cats with KSR+. In the middle of a busy transfer portal season for the Kentucky basketball program, now is the perfect time to join our online community. Subscribe now for premium articles, in-depth scouting reports, inside intel, bonus recruiting coverage, and access to KSBoard, our message board featuring thousands of Kentucky fans around the globe. Come join the club right now for 50% off an annual subscription.

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Kentucky

Our top 5 Kentucky Derby contenders as Run for the Roses 2026 nears

Published

2 days ago

April 6, 2026

Press Room

Our top 5 Kentucky Derby contenders as Run for the Roses 2026 nears

Arkansas Derby winner Renegade tops our list of the leading contenders for the 152nd running of the Kentucky Derby.
Further Ado, trained by Brad Cox, joins the top five after a commanding victory in Saturday’s Blue Grass at Keeneland.

After the final weekend of major prep races, we have a projected field for the 152^nd running of the Kentucky Derby on May 2 at Churchill Downs.

Further Ado (Blue Grass), So Happy (Santa Anita Derby) and Albus (Wood Memorial) clinched their spots in the Kentucky Derby with victories on Saturday.

The top 20 horses on the Kentucky Derby points leaderboard are eligible to run, though there usually are injuries and defections in the weeks leading up to the race.

Buy tickets for Kentucky Derby 152 here

Saturday’s Grade 3 Lexington at Keeneland will offer 20 qualifying points to the winner, though that’s not expected to be enough for any of the competitors to jump into the Kentucky Derby field.

With four weeks to go until the Kentucky Derby, here’s our ranking of the top five contenders:

Owners: Robert and Lawana Low; Repole Stable (Mike Repole).

Trainer: Todd Pletcher.

Jockey: Irad Ortiz Jr.

Sire: Into Mischief.

Road to Kentucky Derby points: 125 (No. 3)

Career earnings: $1,031,500.

Last race: Won Grade 1 Arkansas Derby on March 28 at Oaklawn Park.

Likely next race: Grade 1 Kentucky Derby on May 2 at Churchill Downs.

Owner: Wathnan Racing (Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani).

Trainer: Brad Cox.

Jockey: Flavien Prat.

Sire: Into Mischief.

Road to Kentucky Derby points: 150 (No. 1).

Career earnings: $1,017,339.

Last race: Won Grade 1 Florida Derby on March 28 at Gulfstream Park.

Likely next race: Grade 1 Kentucky Derby on May 2 at Churchill Downs.

Owners: OGMA Investments LLC (Gustavo Delgado); JR Ranch (Ramiro Restrepo); High Step Racing LLC (Randy Guy, Joe Noble, Kevin Avera, Jim Ferreira, Todd Perry).

Trainer: Gustavo Delgado.

Jockey: Javier Castellano.

Sire: Essential Quality.

Road to Kentucky Derby points: 106 (No. 6).

Career earnings: $442,280.

Last race: Second in Grade 1 Florida Derby on March 28 at Gulfstream Park.

Likely next race: Grade 1 Kentucky Derby on May 2 at Churchill Downs.

Owner: Spendthrift Farm (Eric Gustavson).

Trainer: Brad Cox.

Jockey: TBA.

Sire: Gun Runner.

Road to Kentucky Derby points: 135 (No. 2).