Mark Stoops Likes Upside of Freshman RB Jamarion Wilcox

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Will Jamarion Wilcox finally get a chance to show Kentucky football fans what he can do in the Gator Bowl against Clemson?

He is a four-star prospect from Georgia who was ranked as the No. 9 running back in the nation by Rivals.com. He finished his prep career with 4,119 yards rushing and 58 touchdowns.  His senior season alone he had 2,382 all-purpose yards and 30 touchdowns.

Wilcox picked Kentucky over Ohio State, Auburn and Clemson, the team he might get to play against in the bowl game.

Kentucky star running back Ray Davis announced Thursday he would play in the bowl game. Backup Ramon Jefferson is out of eligibility but will play in the bowl as will JuTahn McClain, who has already put his name into the transfer portal.

“A guy like Ramon  and JuTahn and some of them need some chances because Ramon has the chance to play at the next level. He’s been running really good,” Stoops said. “But yes, I would love to see Jamarion, because I think he has some super upside.

“I’ve been meeting with him often, and I like the young man a lot. I’m challenging him a lot, because I want to see some major growth, because he has some real ability.”

Offensive coordinator Liam Coen made his feelings known about Wilcox during the season.

“He’s got real gas. He can really run with the football outside the tackles,” Coen said when asked about Wilcox during the season. “Had a good catch in the scrimmage. He’s done some nice things for us,” Coen said. “He’s a little slasher between the tackles. He’s a one-cut gut vertical. I like the kid.”