Replacing Wan’Dale Robinson is not easy but Tim Couch believes UK still has talented playmakers for quarterback Will Levis to use. (UK Athletics Photo)
How much will quarterback Will Levis and the Kentucky offense miss dynamic receiver Wan’Dale Robinson, a recent second-round draft pick by the New York Giants?
Robinson had 104 receptions for 1,334 yards and seven touchdowns in 13 games and lifted UK to a Citrus Bowl win. His total receptions and yards broke single-season Kentucky records in Will Levis’ first season as UK’s quarterback.
Former UK quarterback Tim Couch, the No. 1 overall NFL draft pick in 1999, had Craig Yeast as his go-to receiver and a dynamic runner/receiver in running back Anthony White.
“WanDale was dynamic and a huge playmaker. But it goes hand in hand with the quarterback and receiver,” Couch said.
Levis is back for a second season and is being touted as a potential first-round NFL draft pick in 2023.
“I had Craig, who in my opinion was the best (receiver) to have played at Kentucky,” Couch said. “How good would I have been without Craig? Not as good, but where would Craig have been without me.”
Yeast still ranks as Kentucky’s all-time leading receiver with 208 catches for 2,899 yards and 28 touchdowns.
“Once a guy like that moves on, other guys have to step up and that’s what Kentucky has to have next season,” Couch said. “They are going to have guys who can go out and be that type of dynamic playmaker.”
“They were hitting big plays early last season. They just have to find a guy to replace him and it might take time. But I really like the receiving depth they have. Maybe they won’t have a Wan’Dale, but I think Will is going to have plenty of weapons even without Wan’Dale.”
3 Responses
UK is going to miss Wan Dale big time in 22 I do believe. It will be difficult to replace that kind of elite talent. He is a special talent. Had he been at UK for three, four years the Yeast record could have possibly been broken in my opinion. Yeast is and will always be a UK great. However, I think the football was in the air more when he played due to Mumme’s Air raid offense, thus the numbers he put up. UK runs the football a whole lot more now than the Couch to Yeast days, and those were some good memories I might add. To me a more balanced attack is a better offense in the SEC. I say UK had better find a play maker down the field quickly this year to continue their success in the SEC East. Who will that be? We shall find out soon.
Of course Wan’Dale will be missed next season. How his final numbers may have looked will always be a question, but I find it hard to believe yeast’s numbers being matched. Which truthfully is for the better of the program. The offense that allowed for those types of numbers in the 90’s were thanks to a completely one dimensional offense. It made for exciting times during the air raid era, but nothing compared to the program we’ve seen built now.
I think this years WRs are deeper as a group. Watch out for Tayvion Robinson, Dane Key and Chris Lewis and possibly Dekel Crowdus. Don’t forget theTight Ends Keaton Upshaw, Brenden Bates and Hybrid WR/TE Izayah Cummings in the new OCs scheme. Impossible to replace WanDale but I’m excited for the offense.