Chris Rodriguez is the type of physical running back that Jay Boulware wants to have more of at Kentucky. (Vicky Graff Photo)
Kentucky football fans were excited when Mark Stoops hired Jay Boulware as special teams coordinator after the issues UK special teams had this season.
But Boulware is also the new running backs coach and he’s also very excited about that part of his job.
“As a running back coach at this university, I feel like you ought to be able to (recruit) one of the best backs in the country and that’s what I want to do,” Boulware said Friday.
What does he want in a running back?
“I want to recruit, not just guys that are five-stars that people think are good, but guys that I put my eye on and (guys that I) think can play at the type of level that I’ve come accustomed to playing,” the new Kentucky assistant coach said.
“I like big guys that can take a pounding. I’m talking physical. I want some speed to be able to finish the run (and create) that home run threat. I was watching the Georgia game and kept thinking, ‘If a running back just breaks one, that’s all it’s going to take. Then you’re right in the thick of that thing and have an opportunity to beat what is the top team in the (SEC) East right now.’
“That fires me up to be able to have that opportunity to recruit that player to be able to come in here and provide what we need to get out of that stadium with a W.”
Boulware has been with the Pittsburgh Steelers where UK’s all-time leading rusher Benny Snell has played the last four years. He was a fourth-round pick in 2019.
Boulware has also seen a lot of Chris Rodriguez, UK’s star since Snell left who has opted out of the Music City Bowl.
“What this university has done is tremendous in the years that coach Stoops has been here. The trajectory of this program is continually climbing,” Boulware said.
