Anwar Stewart, left, with former UK players Anthony White, center, and Dennis Johnson. (Photo by Larry Vaught)
Kentucky football is finding itself mentioned in almost every preseason top 25 poll for the upcoming season.
Usually that would be a big deal for UK football but coach Mark Stoops has raised the bar to the point that UK fans are disappointed when any of the 2022 projections don’t have the Cats higher than 20th.
That made me think back to about a year ago when I had a conversation with UK defensive line coach Anwar Stewart on WPBK-FM.
“I am telling you right now if you do not have your (UK football season) tickets that is sad,” Stewart told us that day.
Immediately, I wanted to know why. Enjoy this look back at his answer that turned out to be right.
“This year is going to be unbelievable. Get your season tickets and get them now. If you don’t, you are going to miss some exciting football. This era we are starting now, this thing is going through the roof. Do not be surprised at the success we are going to have,” Stewart said.
“We have been quiet, kind of behind the scenes and not saying too much about our team and where we see each other. But if you do not have a ticket when we have this success, just say I told you so.”
Okay, Anwar you told us so. Kentucky went 10-3 last season with another bowl win and had three players go in the first 65 picks of the recent NFL draft. Kentucky also signed its best overall recruiting class.
Starting quarterback Will Levis is being projected as a top 10 pick in the 2023 NFL draft.
Hopefully I will get to talk to Stewart again soon to see what he has in mind for the upcoming season because he certainly was accurate about the 2021 season.
3 Responses
I love the low key approach that this coaching staff takes. I love the smash mouth football played on both sides of the line. I love the way Stoops keeps improving the team. But most of all I LOVE UK FOOTBALL. I was a FB fan first. I loved the UK FB of my high school years(graduated in 79) and I am so happy that we have returned to those days. I probably have said this in posts before but I picked Stoops as the next coach for UK midway through Jokers last year. My best friend and I were watching Fla. ST play and I said "we need their defensive coordinator". He laughed because he was a big fan of the Air Raid and wanted that type of coach.
I said then what I have always believed, to win consistently in the SEC you start with both sides of the line of scrimmage then build out. A good offensive and defensive line can make up for shortcomings in other areas. Stoops has done that and then some. We are now a school know for offensive and defensive lineman as well as we are becoming linebacker\cornerback U.
I already have tickets set up for the 1st game of the season. UK Football is back (has been for a few years) to where it was in my youth. Thank you coach Stoops! !
I love UK football , had season tickets since 1970 ‘ been thru the good and bad at Commonwealth stadium ‘ Kroger field , Stoops has been a Diamond and Vince Marrow the best , I hope for another 10 + season
Me too Gary