Never doubt Vince Marrow when he says players are coming back

Chris Rodriguez is coming back to UK for another season and could challenge Benny Snell's all-time rushing mark. (Vicky Graff Photo)

After Kentucky beat Iowa in the Citrus Bowl, we hac Kentucky associate coach/recruiting coordinator Vince Marrow on WLAP Sunday Morning Sports Talk said he thought Kentucky had several seniors who would return for an extra COVID year. However, I don’t think I quite expected just how important that could turn out to be.

Quarterback Will Levis had already announced before the bowl game that he would be back. On Sunday starting linebackers Jordan Wright and Jacquez Jones both announced they would be back for a super senior season.

However, it got even better Monday when another linebacker, DeAndre Square — the hero of the Citrus Bowl along with Wan’Dale Robinson — announced he would be back on BBN Tonight on WLEX-TV. That means UK will have Square, Wright, Jones, and JJ Weaver, the Mayo Comeback Player of the Year, all back at linebacker. That should not only be the strength of the UK defense but one of the best sets of linebackers in the SEC especially with the young talent behind them.

But there was more. Running back Chris Rodriguez is also coming back rather than go to the NFL like many thought he would.

Rodriguez ran for 1,345 yards and nine touchdowns in 2021 and could challenge Benny Snell’s all-time career rushing yardage total next season. Snell had 3,873 yards before going to the NFL while Rodriguez has 2,738. He would need 1,134 yards next season — a mark he could easily attain if he stays healthy.

 “When I signed at UK, my goals were to re-write the record books and be the first in my family to graduate from college. I’m so close to accomplishing both of those goals and because of that, I would like to announce that I will be coming back for another year!” Rodriguez posted on social media.

Kentucky returns Kavosiey Smoke, JuTahn McClain and LaVell Wright at running back and athlete Michael Drennen can also play running back. But never doubt that Rodriguez is the bell cow.

It’s the same with Square at linebacker. He’s the inspirational leader — remember how he limped back on the field at the Citrus Bowl after being hurt and then made the game-winning interception.

He has started at inside linebacker the last three years. He had 80 tackles last season and has 244 career tackles, including 19.5 tackles for loss.