Gerald Mincey (54) is slated to start in UK's offensive line Saturday. (UK Athletics Photo)
How important is the transfer portal for Kentucky football?
Just take a look at the UK depth chart released Monday for Saturday night’s game against Southern Mississippi.
The Kentucky offense is loaded with transfers listed No. 1 on the depth chart — quarterback Brock Vandagriff, right guard Jalen Farmer, right tackle Gerald Mincey and receiver Ja’Mori Maclin. And if running back Chip Trayanum was not out with a broken hand, he would be No. 1.
“I think the additions with Mincey (Tennessee) and Farmer (Tennessee) really helped us. I feel that presence, I feel the physicality out there. We’re not perfect and still a work in progress, but I think we’re getting better (in the offensive line),” Kentucky coach Mark Stoops said.
On defense, the only transfer listed No. 1 on the depth chart is middle linebacker Jamon Duman-Johnson.
A seventh transfer listed No. 1 is kickoff specialist Aidan Laros who is also listed co-No. 1 at punter.
However, despite UK’s talented/experienced roster, four true freshmen are listed as backups on offense with quarterback Cutter Boley, guard Aba Selm, running back Jason Patterson and tight end Willie Rodriguez. Redshirt freshmen offensive linemen Malachi Wood and Koby Keenum are also No. 2 on the depth chart along with sophomore tight end Khamari Anderson and sophomore receiver Anthony Brown-Stephens.
On defense, sophomore safety is listed as a co-starter at free safety while sophomore linebacker Tyreese Ferry and sophomore strong safety Kristian Story are No. 2 on the depth chart.
“You look at Malachi as a redshirt freshman, getting better and really working hard, we’re going to need him. Aba is a guy that’s one of those freshmen that takes things very seriously, works very hard, very conscientious, trying to get better each day. You know, when you get close to the ball like that at guard, things happen very fast, it’s very difficult to play at a young age. But he’s got an opportunity, hopefully we can continue to get him reps as the year goes on, get his feet wet,” Stoops said.
“Cutter has been very consistent, we’ve been very pleased with Gavin (Wimsatt) and Cutter. Both can bring some very good attributes to the game, to the field, and can do some special things. So, we’ll see where it goes.”
3 Responses
We have alot of injuries to start the season. I hope this isn’t a warning of what’s to come. When alot of players get injured it’s usually a conditioning problem. If we start getting a lot of injuries this season will go down in the toilet faster than hair on the bathroom counter. Some positions that we can’t afford any injuries too is of course both lines and receivers secondary and running back. We seem kind of thin at these positions and will not be able to withstand injuries to these positions.
The SEC May have out thunk itself with expansion. 12 games and reduction of number of players ?????? By late October early November there will be a lot of freshmen on the field all over the south. 3 deep will be the new key to success. And unfortunately the Cards won’t have to go through the meat grinder that the Cats face.
UL never has had to compete at the same sustained level as UK in football. NEVER!!!!!