Bush Hamdan (UK Athletics Photo)
As new Kentucky offensive coordinator Bush Hamdan installs and builds his first UK offense, there is one particular thing he’s looking to increase – depth. That’s because having multiple players at each position creates a positive situation for all involved.
“I think the number one thing for us is building competition at every position because when you build that competition and they see six, seven, eight guys that could be in that starting rotation, for all of us, that makes us raise our level,” Hamdan said.
One position that has made an impact early with the new UK OC is the tight ends. Hamdan praised that group after practice on Tuesday.
“I actually feel that that group is further ahead than any other group on the offense,” Hamdan said. “Vince (Marrow) obviously does a tremendous job. There’s certainly three to four players in that group that we can go out there and win with today. We need to continue to bring those guys along.”
Another position that seems to have depth, according to Hamdan, is running backs, where veterans Chip Trayanum and Demie Sumo-Karngbaye are joined by a talented group of younger backs.
“We’ve got some young running backs who are doing some really good things,” Hamdan said. “I think you certainly have got to have multiple backs carry the ball and be successful. Right now, that group is getting better.
“I think that running back group is potentially the most improved of all of the units. Those guys are getting a lot of reps, a lot of carries. Really fortunate to have Chip here, Demie’s doing a great job and the young backs are really coming along.”
The play of the Kentucky offensive line has been inconsistent the past two years. After the 2023 season, Kentucky head coach Mark Stoops chose to bring back Eric Wolford as the offensive line coach. Wolford previously served in the same position in 2021. He likes where his unit is early in spring practice sessions.
“I think, obviously, Coach Stoops, his staff, Coach Marrow, I feel like at this very moment, we probably have more depth than we did the last time I was here,” Wolford said. “We were really, really thin at that time.
“Coach Stoops always talks about wanting to have seven or eight guys to play winning football. It’s not just go out there and play. You need seven or eight guys that can play winning football that you can put in at any time of the game. We’re a work in progress. I enjoy working with these guys and I have their attention.”
4 Responses
No need to read the article.
Stoops needs to stop controlling every OC and let the UK offense get built up to score points.
The pet 2 years exposed a lot of holes in the Stoops run program and now he needs to step up and get the job done. UK FB still had a chance to be elite, but the last 2 season ls were failures and should not be tolerated if it’s another flop in the fall.
I’ve been a Stoops fan, even when I disagreed with a lot of his anti-passing ideas. The past 2 seasons cannot be repeated.
Just curious, has Barnie the money minion or his master fraud been fired yet ??? I guess not since same old administrators.
You do realize we had the worst offensive line in the SEC and all of power 5 football in 2022 that’s why Levis rightfully so opted out. Last year we had a better offensive line but they still couldn’t hold the line on run blocking and pass blocking. The game is won and lost in the trenches. The team goes how the line goes. This year Kentucky will have one of the best lines offensive and defensive that we’ve probably ever had here. Soldier was here in 2021 when our line was decent and said we were very thin then and we are much more deep now. We have alot of experience this year. Plus where in the world did you hear that Stops calls that plays. Coen called all the plays last year and Hamdan will call the plays this year. Find something else to be bitter about or cheer for another team.
Looking forward to the season!
Debbie downer is loose and trying to cook a goose!