After a devastating basketball loss to Georgia today, it’s time to face the facts.This Team will not make the NCAA Tournament. John Calipari is no longer the correct fit for Kentucky Basketball.
It’s time to look ahead to a sport where we are methodically building a winning tradition in Football. Yes, Football!
The 2023 Kentucky Football Team Will Rank 3rd in the SEC in OVERALL Offense.
Once again, there are solid reasons for excitement and optimism surrounding Kentucky football. In exactly 203 days Kentucky opens the 2023 football season against Ball State. Kentucky welcomes N.C. State transfer Devin Leary, as the expected starting QB. The well seasoned 6’2″ 215 lb. Leary brings 30 Games of experience and a very impressive resume. Devin was one of the most coveted transfers Kentucky gained form the transfer portal. He completed 60% of his passes and interceptions were limited throughout his career.
Last season Will Levis injuries led to a disappointing season for the Cats. These injuries essentially eliminated Levis as a once dangerous run threat. Unfortunately, injury plagued Leary during two Wolfpack seasons, something Kentucky cannot afford without a proven backup QB on the roster. Injury serves as the only reason Devin is not joining Levis as a part of the upcoming NFL draft.
The New Jersey High School native set the state record for career passing yards (9,672) and 117 touchdowns, and serves as a two time Gatorade Player of the Year. At N.C. State, Devin posted the best interception avoidance mark in school history with a 0.23 mark. He threw just five picks in 2021. Leary threw for 51 career touchdowns, ranking 6th in N.C State history. Leary was rarely utilized as as a run option. With newly added Vanderbilt transfer Ramon Jefferson in the backfield, it may not matter. Jefferson was a big reason Vandy pinned a frustrsting loss (24-21) on the Cats last year, ending a 26 game SEC losing streak.
The Cats will feature a stable of very capable wide receivers including Jordan Anthony, who in 2022 was deemed the “fastest high schooler in the world”. Anthony also specializes in track at UK with his World Class speed. Anthony will be joined by other proven talented playmakers such as Dane Key, Barion Brown, and Tayvion Robinson.
Poor OL execution led to Will Levis being sacked 34 times last year, second most in the SEC. Look for vast improvement in the Big Blue Wall as portal transfers Tanner Bowles (Alabama) and Marques Cox (N.I.U.) join veterans Kenneth Horsey and Eli Cox on the offensive line.
With NFL talent Leary at QB, the most complete recieving core in decades, and a revamped OL, Kentucky Wildcats Football is fortunate to welcome back Liam Coen as offensive coordinator after having the same position with the Los Angeles Rams in 2022. Coen helped foster Kentucky’s 10 win season and Citrus Bowl victory (20-17) over Iowa in 2021.
Take a moment and smile, the 2023 Cats will offer an exciting brand of football with this high octane offense. Factor in Brad White’s always stout defense, which in2022 finished the season with the No. 3 defense in America, according to SP+. It’s the highest finish ever by a Kentucky defense.
Just a reminder, on Nov. 11th Kentucky Kentucky welcomes no other than Alabama to Kroger Field. This will serve as the last of seven home games. Let’s place another bold prediction – if Kentucky has not lost key starters to injury, this game will be decided by a touchdown or less. The recipe for 2023 success is in place, September 2nd will be here soon enough!
