Special teams coach Jay Boulware might be using more young players this season. (UK Athletics Photo)
In today’s college athletics landscape, redshirting a college football player is a calculated risk because so many players are transferring unless they become immediate playmakers.
Waiting for a chance to play is just not something most players are willing to do and Kentucky coach Mark Stoops obviously understands that part of roster management. That has to be part of why he said Monday if a player can help on special teams, he’s going to be used there and not worry about saving a redshirt season.
On the uncertainty of player stability, decisions on redshirting players, and how the younger players can help on special teams…
“If they can play some special teams, there is a lot more accountability there that even they understand. The way we practice and the way we go into meetings, the intensity that (special teams) coach (Jay) Boulware has and how he goes about special teams,” Stoops said. “I mean that is some serious business and we let nothing slide, so those players understand it, and I think the media covering it and the fans (understands).
“If they can help us, they’re going to help us. There are a lot of young athletes that can run and we need them to continue to grow up and play. That is the first step with them is being accountable and helping us on special teams. If they can’t do little things, they can’t do big things.
“We talk about that all the time. A little thing might be backside on a kickoff return or finishing a block or doing things that nobody sees but if you execute it and you do your job big things may happen. We will continue to harp on that and continue to bring those guys on.”
Kentucky has plenty of special teams competition. Walker Himebauch was the long snapper in 2023 as a true freshman and handled the position well. However, he’s No. 2 on this year’s depth chart behind Illinois transfer Alex McLaughlin.
“It’s been very close with Alex and Walker,” Stoops said Monday. :Walker snapped for us all last year as a freshman, did a heck of a job, but both of them have been good.”
Transfer Alex Raynor was money on field goals and extra points last season. He’s on the preseason award list for the nation’s best kicker. However, even he has competition.
“With Alex, he’s a guy that’s been very consistent and has a very strong leg, but you look at (true freshman Jacob) Kauwe being behind him and, man, he has an extremely strong leg,” Stoops said. “We have a lot of confidence in Alex, and I don’t know what the (yard line) number will be, but if I know Jacob has hit – we tried the 60 (yarder) three times and he hit them all three times, with full units, offense against defense (on the field). “
What about the punting game which cut down on big returns last year but at times sacrificed distance on kicks to do that? Stoops admitted Monday UK must be more consistent punting.
“I think Wilson (Berry) and Aidan (Laros), bringing in Aidan (from UT-Martin), he has an opportunity as well,” Stoops said. “Aidan is also very strong with kickoffs along with Jacob. Between Aidan and Jacob our kickoffs should be pretty deep and we should have high kicks and be able to cover, and not run into some of the problems that we did late last year.”
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Competition makes everyone better.