Young Players Making Impact in Fall Camp
The Kentucky football team had its first scrimmage on Saturday inside Kroger Field. On Monday, offensive coordinator Bush Hamdan discussed how his team did in Saturday’s action, but he also touched on a number of newcomers who made an impact.
“A couple of guys jumped out to us,” Hamdan said. “Hardley Gilmore had an extremely good scrimmage, a guy that we’ve been high on since we got here. Jamarion Wilcox did a really nice job at running back and some of those other young running backs really got some opportunities to do some good things. I was pleased with both (Jalen) Farmer and (Gerald) Mincey on the right side of the line and the line in general and how they protected. It’s a constant moving a guy here to the left side, to the right side, trying to make the best lineups you can.”
Gilmore, a 6-2 wide receiver, is a player who drew a lot of attention with his play during spring practice. Hamdan believes that momentum has stayed with Gilmore into fall camp.
“I just think so highly of him, from the standpoint of, he’s a complete player and probably, he doesn’t know any better,” Hamdan said. “I think sometimes a veteran wide receiver will try to save their legs for the season but Hardley has knows one speed, whether it’s perimeter blocking, regardless of what we ask him to do, he takes pride in it. The sky is the limit for him.”
Wilcox came to Kentucky as a highly-rated running back recruit. He redshirted last season but is now ready to see time in the backfield for the Cats. Hamdan likes Wilcox’s ability to make big plays.
“There’s always been a level of toughness with him and there’s always been, of all the backs, he’s got that explosive play potential,” Hamdan said. “Now, it just comes down to the scheme, knowing what to do on every play, not just some of those plays and just playing a little bit more consistent.”
Another freshman that the coaches are high on is tight end Willie Rodriguez. The Covington Catholic product has shown toughness and playmaking ability during fall practice, according to Hamdan.
“He’s doing a good job,” Hamdan said. “For those freshmen, it’s just drinking water through a fire hose. There’s a lot going on, they’re probably just trying to figure out where their dorms are. Willie is a guy who is extremely coachable, there’s a toughness factor that you either have or you don’t, and he has it. We’re super excited for Willie’s contributions.”
On the offensive side of the ball, a number of young players are making an impact this fall. Hamdan and the coaching staff hope that this type of impact can carry over to the field once the season begins.
