Kentucky football coach Mark Stoops obviously said something quarterback Will Levis (7) found really funny during UK’s Media Day. (Vicky Graff Photo)
The first day of fall practice for Kentucky produced rave reviews from coach Mark Stoops.
“I felt like (Wednesday) was by far the best day one practice we’ve had in the 10 years I’ve been here, but it should be,” Stoops said during the team’s annual Media Day Wednesday at Kroger Field. “Our foundation is set in stone, and we have a returning quarterback, and we’re able to work with our guys more than we ever have this summer, so we should be further along in Day 1.”
As the Wildcats delve into the daily grind of fall camp, as he mentioned, Stoops already has a starting quarterback in place, which usually hasn’t been the case in Stoops’ first nine seasons at Kentucky. Returnee Will Levis will be the starting signal caller in the opener and the bigger question is who will be the backup quarterback?
Beau Allen, who battled Levis for the starting job last year, transferred to Tarleton State, leaving the backup position wide open. The backup race will feature redshirt freshman Kaiya Sheron of Somerset and Iowa transfer Deuce Hogan.
“I think both of them have taken a really big jump this summer and have worked really hard,” Stoops said. “They both have shown signs, and we’ll let them continue to play. We have a lot of time until our first game, and everybody will make a big deal about that because we’ll just practice one day at a time and see where we’re at and make a decision on that later.”
Much like his boss, Rich Scangarello, the team’s fifth offensive coordinator in Stoops’ tenure at Kentucky, is in no rush to put a backup in place five weeks before the team’s season-opener against Miami of Ohio.
“I think it’s going to be a good competition,” Scangarello said. “Both guys are worthy of winning the job and it will take time to work itself out. They both had really good summers and they’re both talented guys. I’ve seen huge strides, probably more than I expected out of both of them. … It will be a good, fun competition.”
Sheron isn’t taking the opportunity likely and is looking forward to the challenge.
“Every repetition I take, I’m the No. 1 (quarterback),” he said. “There’s only one quarterback on the field on every play and when I’m in on that rep, I’m the No. 1 guy. I’m just taking every play like that.”
The bigger question mark is the status of veteran running back Chris Rodriguez, who took part in the team photo session, but wasn’t available for interviews Wednesday. Stoops offered no comment on Rodriquez, but likes the makeup of his backfield with or without Rodriguez.
“We feel just fine about it. We feel like there’s some really solid players there that have a chance to break out and do some really good things,” he said. “All those guys, La’Vell (Wright), JuTahn (McClain), Kavosiey (Smoke), Ramon (Jefferson), the new transfer; Michael Drennen. All those guys we have confidence in.”
That confidence spills into the entire squad.
“I really feel like our program is in a position that we’re very confident in what we’re going to do,” Stoops said.
Things have changed in a decade and for the better.
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Keith Taylor is the sports editor for Kentucky Today. Reach him at Keith.taylor@kentuckytoday.com and via Twitter at keithtaylor21.
8 Responses
Really can’t argue what Coach said.
It’s gotten to where everyone goes out of their way NOT to say anything about CRod.
Coaches have become very tight lipped about internal team matters, and Stoops is no different that other coaches.
What will be will be. Rodriguez committed two very serious infractions, the DUI was bad enough, but failing to make a court appearance is very serious. I understand that the lawyers fell on their swords for him, but I also understand that court commitments are among the most important and emphasized time demands that lawyers honor without exception. That is why I believe there is more to that story than the lawyers telling Rodriguez the wrong thing.
This places Stoops in a tough spot. He must maintain team order, otherwise, he risks losing the team’s respect and having his program building setback. That is why I fully expect some internal consequences for these events.
Stoops will do what he must do, but I don’t see any benefit for him or the program to make it a matter of public fanfare. He will do it privately, and he will say as little as possible about it.
That is what’s best for the program even though we all would like to know what is going on.
Wow, failure to appear issues an arrest warrant. The Grand PooPah may not be able to help him get out of this mess, but the kid has brought it upon himself.
Whodat, he’s already been in court and charge in what i read. I don’t think he be on the field and practicing with the team if it was other wise.
Keep up with the times. His arrest warrant was repealed because his attorney failed to show up for the hearing. Old news there.
That DUI charge is settled and resolved
His arrest warrant was repealed because his attorney didn’t show up for the hearing. All dismissed. Try keeping up with current events.