Playmakers Emerging During Kentucky Football Spring Practice
Kentucky head coach Mark Stoops and selected offensive players met the media to discuss Wednesday’s open practice. Among the topics discussed were playmakers, and UK seems to have some of those emerging during spring drills.
One spot where the Cats seems to have options, and depth, is at running back. Jamarion Wilcox is back after leading the team with 590 rushing yards last season. Redshirt freshman Jason Patterson also returns after rushing for 111 yards in four games in 2024. And the Cats have added Dante Dowdell, who previously played at Nebraska and Oregon.
Stoops spoke about those running backs and what he’s expecting from that group.
“It’s definitely going to be by committee,” Stoops said. “As you know, they take a lot of hits. It’s very physical. We have some guys that are better suited for certain situations. We’re going to need them all.”
Stoops did mention that he likes what he has seen from Patterson, especially lately.
“I’ve seen him take some steps, even in the last two or three practices,” Stoops said. “It’s good to see him back out here, see him healthy, getting the reps. I like seeing him out here because he’s a guy who can be an every-down back.”
As far as the quarterbacks, Stoops has seen the group, led by transfer Zach Calzada and sophomore returnee Cutter Boley, continue to improve.
“The room is growing,” Stoops said. “Zach brings in a guy with experience. It’s his sixth year of college football. Now, it’s a matter of getting comfortable in our system, putting it all together. Both guys have made a lot of growth. Both guys have very live arms.”
Ja’Mori Maclin is a name that has been mentioned a lot this spring. Stoops knows what Maclin brings because he saw it toward the end of the 2024 season.
“J-Mac played really good outside last year towards the end of the year,” Stoops said. “Once we started finding him and getting the ball down the field to him, he’s a guy who makes tough, contested catches. He was really productive the last three games of the year. We want to move him around and get him the football.”
As far as the chemistry between the quarterbacks and the receivers, Stoops likes where both groups are.
“They all have good report with each other,” Stoops said. “Zach and Cutter and Beau (Allen) and the wide receivers, they have made it a point of emphasis.”
Another young receiver for whom the coaching staff has high hopes is freshman D.J. Miller from St. Louis. Stoops spoke highly of Miller following Wednesday’s practice.
“He’s just a guy who has to put it all together,” Stoops said. “He’s one of those guys who operates really smooth. We would like to see a little more urgency out of him at times. He’s just a great young man and works really hard, likes the coaching, buys into everything. Just let him grow up and continue to get better.”
At the tight end position, Stoops had high praise for sophomore Willie Rodriguez.
“Willie’s just tough. Just a tough guy. I love everything about Willie,” Stoops said. “He’s just one of those guys you want on your team. Plays hard, tough guy, has some really good ability.”
As the Kentucky offense looks to improve this season, these are the names that could be called upon early and often to make that happen.
