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Yes, Mark Stoops would like to see more consistency from quarterback Devin Leary.
Yes, the Kentucky coach thinks it will be coming.
“I thought last week (at Vanderbilt) as a group, our offense really worked hard with the receivers, with him getting on the same page, getting the timing down and really trying to be more precise and consistent and at times that showed up this past week,” Stoops said.
“We’re going to get better, we’re going to continue to work and grow in that area.”
Leary has shown a terrific pocket presence under pressure that Stoops knows is important at all levels.
“I think it’s always important, it’s important with every quarterback. I was going to say college, but you better do the same thing in the NFL,” Stoops said. “You got to have a great awareness and be able to buy some time and whether it’s subtle movements in the pocket or whether it’s knowing when to escape and keep the eyes down the field and create.
“I think that’s one of the things that (Florida quarterback) Graham (Mertz). I think he does a really good job of that as well. He’s very good at moving and being crafty in the pocket, buying time. He will escape and run for effective yards but he really does a nice job of getting outside the pocket to create and to throw the ball down the field as well.”
Leary’s production/efficiency is obviously tied to how well UK’s offensive line plays. At Vanderbilt, UK moved Eli Cox back to center where he played last year and shifted Jager Burton back to guard where he also played in 2022.
“Eli was really pretty stable. We didn’t have any snap issues, which was nice. He had, Eli, maybe one missed assignment,” Stoops said. “Jager needs to get some reps and get his feet on the ground (at right guard). We still need to play better inside, play better at guard.
“I thought (left tackle) Marques Cox played a very good game—not perfect, but he played a good game. We’re playing better at right (tackle). We have to get playing better inside.”
Stoops said left guard Dylan Ray has “done okay” filling in for injured Kenneth Horsey who was injured in UK’s first game. He said both Ray and Burton have done some good things.
“Both have played different positions, with Jager playing center and Dylan playing a lot of tackle early in the season. They’re playing inside — well, they’re playing different positions out of necessity,” Stoops said.
“Both need to grow and continue to get reps. I have confidence in both of them but we need to play better.”
One Response
Hope he’s right!
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