Brock Vandagriff (UK Athletics Photo)
Kentucky has high expectations going into the upcoming season, especially with perhaps the best defense it has had under coach Mark Stoops.
However, ESPN/SEC Network studio host/analyst Peter Burns believes UK’s fate could come down to one player.
“It comes down to whether they hit on the right transfer portal quarterback,” said Burns.
That quarterback is Georgia transfer Brock Vandagriff.
“They got (quarterback) Will (Levis) and (receiver) Wandale (Robinson) that year and that was as good of a 1-2 punch as anybody had,” said Burns. “They are now hoping that it is the same mix with Brock.
“Look at (North Carolina State transfer quarterback) Devin Leary and you think potentially he could be the next one but he just was not the right fit last year. It’s kind of a cautionary tale when you take a quarterback in the transfer portal every year. You can get someone ready made but is he ready made for that team?
“(Kentucky coach Mark) Stoops is excited about his offense. He thinks they are laying in the weeds and underrated. They like the fact they are back to having a chip on their shoulders as a team. That’s when Stoops’ teams have been at their best.”
Burns said he learned to respect Stoops the most about eight years ago when he was “upset and frothing at the mouth” after Kentucky was picked to finish near the bottom of the conference at SEC Media Days.
“He told me, ‘Peter, I am sick and tired of nobody respecting Kentucky football. We are going to be a damn good team,’” Burns said. “That is when I knew there was something special about Stoops. So if some people are saying 8-4 for Kentucky this year and the coaches are not happy about that, maybe that’s a good thing again for Kentucky football.”
10 Responses
That will depend upon the play of our offensive line and the running game.
AND receivers run the correct route, catch the bal & not drop it & make a play after the catch.
The very good Freshmen receivers in 2022 did not do as well in 2023. UK needs a Wan’Dale who is focused only on FB to be the receiver Brock needs.
I hope the new OC will use the TE more to catch oases. They were more consistent in 2023 than the WR.
Totally agree… plus, if the DBs will cover a receiver
I like having Stoops as our coach; however, there are a couple of things I wish he would change.
1. If the starting QB gets hurt, he never has anyone ready to go. The backup QB won’t see the field even if they are down 50-0. Backup QB’s need to get in the game and see it real time. Even if it is just a play now and then, it is better than never seeing the field. Stoops made the comment, "he believes this team would be in good hands if any of the four players took the field." I’m glad he feels that way, but he says it every year and no other QB ever sees the field.
2. When UK gets a lead, they are a totally different team on both sides of the ball. They seem to go into "don’t lose mode." Defense goes into total "prevent" and offense goes into "don’t take any chances."
I like teams that are aggressive and aggressive wins football games.
I sure agree!
2025 QB Stone Saunders is coming …..Better give him a google.
know plenty about him
not only that, the schedule isn’t no picnic either.
Brock is better than Leary. I think he’s more accurate than Levis. Levis was a gunslinger like Brett Farve. If he seen one on one coverage he was launching it then it’s up to the receiver to come down with the ball. I don’t think he has the power in his arm like Levis but I think he has more touch on his passes. The reason we had so many drops last year is because when you make a pass of less than 10 yards out you dont throw fast balls to the receiver. Leary was terrible with that and too a receiver it’s hard to time the catch and run with it when your already running and someone throws a laser at you. I’m not saying that happened for 100% of the drops but it happened more than not. I think Brock ends up being the best of the 3 transfer quarterbacks. If he has a fantastic season he may go pro after this year so we better get some of the other quarterbacks some time. Because that might be your quarterback next year. I think Gavin starts next year no matter who we have or bring in if Brock goes pro. Brock also has underrated legs.
If you don’t hear much from Kentucky, except that they are not happy with the 8-4 picks and the talent that is coming in, plus another Top 25 class. Look out because this is where Kentucky is the most dangerous. You may be looking at a potential Playoff dark horse. The ESPN matchup predictor for all 12 games is saying 5-7 as of right now based off the percentages. I honestly can see Kentucky going 9-3, 10-2, or 11-1, maybe 12-0 if the stars lineup. So if i were a betting man, the 6.5 o/u win total, I’d bet the over hands down.