Kentucky football has precedent of players not opting out of bowl game

monday-four-dec-20

Wan'Dale Robinson is UK's leading receiver going into the Citrus Bowl. (UK Athletics Photo)

Kentucky coach Mark Stoops isn’t sure if any of his players might decide not to play in the Citrus Bowl January 1 but he does not know of any yet planning to do that. Former players Josh Allen, Benny Snell, Lynn Bowden, Landon Young, and others played in bowl games even though they expected to be picked in the NFL draft.

Stoops said he would “never put pressure on a young man to guilt him into coming back” to play in a bowl game if that is not what he wanted to do.

“That has got to be a personal decision and I’ll respect it either way. We have been fortunate that the precedent has been set a long time ago,” Stoops said.

He recalled how many national awards Allen was collecting before UK played in the Citrus Bowl after the 2018 season.

“He was busy and tired, so I told him ‘Josh you do not have to come back. Your legacy is set forever. You do not need to play this game,'” Stoops said he told Allen.

Allen told the coach he wanted to finish what he started at UK, so he played in the bowl game. Obviously, defensive lineman Josh Paschal has decided he’ll play in the Citrus Bowl before seeing what happens with the NFL.

“We still have a lot to prove. We’re 9-3 and we want to hit that 10-win (mark),” Paschal said. “We’re focused on our next game and this next game just happens to be the last.

“Everyone always says you’re only as good as your last game, so we’re going to go get that (win).”

6 Responses

  1. Stoops is a straight shooter that is respected by our players.

    The truth isn’t in Cal and the players have little respect for him.

  2. I don’t know about Calipari’s players, but I know a lot of fans don’t respect Cal as much anymore after the flag kneeling he allowed, and participated in. Biggest mistake he ever made as head coach of the Cats IMO.

  3. The UK football program is rising, and I have a lot of respect for the UK players who want to participate in the bowl game and get win No 10. To me it shows their dedication and respect for their University, team, and head coach. Players have the right to opt out, I get that, but as a fan I hate to see it. It rings as sort of selfish and self serving.

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