Chip Trayanum (UK Athletics Photo)
Chip Trayanum has been officially cleared to play in his first football game at Kentucky since transferring from Ohio State but UK coach Mark Stoops would not indicate just what role he might have at Ole Miss Saturday.
Trayanum was expected to be UK’s starting running back before breaking his hand in preseason practice. He has not played in UK’s 2-2 start but Stoops said on his radio show Monday night that he now had the medical okay to play.
“We weren’t in pads today, but he’s cleared to go,” Stoops said on his weekly radio show. “We’ll see what type of strength he has in that hand. It was operated on, so we’ll see how he comes along and what he’s like here throughout the week. But he’s cleared.”
Stoops emphasized he had to see practice reps to know what Trayanum could be expected to do against Ole Miss.
“We’ll see how that goes. I mean if he’s 100 percent, and feeling good, can secure the football, and has strength to grip it, and all those things …,” Stoops said.
Kentucky’s offense has been sluggish at best and ranks 115th nationally in total offense and 105th in scoring.
With Trayanum out, senior Demie Sumo-Karngbaye has ran 59 times for 278 yards — 4.6 yards per run — and three scores. Redshirt freshman Jamarion Wilcox has 19 carries for 135 yards — 7.0 yards per try — and gets better each game.
“Most of the time you’d be very lucky to go a complete season with a running back with this schedule and not have any injuries, or anybody banged up. So you always need that depth,” Stoops said.
Wilcox did not have a carry in 2023 and came into this season No. 4 on the depth chart but has made his mark against Georgia and Ohio.
“I don’t want to crucify the young man, and act like he’s not doing things right, you know, he is. He’s working hard, it’s just harder than the maturation process,” Stoops said. “We’re here to bring young men along and get them to compete at the high level, and have the consistency that we are looking for.
“He’s proving that with time and we just want to continue to push him that way.”
2 Responses
4.6 ypc is pretty good for running up the middle 75% of the time. Wilcox is averaging almost 3 more ypc and only has 19 carries? That’s utterly stupid. He is lighting fast and I think if he had more carries he would have broken open on a couple carries for scores. He needs more touches. Chip had a broken hand he should still be in shape his legs were ok. I hope he doesn’t have to get back in shape then play. I would give him he ball against ole miss at least 5-10 carries. The season will almost be halfway over after the ole miss game. The good thing is he’s not banged up from playing in he first 4 games. Has there been any word on Henry Young or Hayes? Are both of them going to miss the whole season? I wouldn’t play someone for just 3-4 games and burn there final year of eligibility. They might as well get ready for next year. I think there was hope with Henry Young maybe playing this year. Also any word on Ben Christman I thought he was going to be the man on he offensive line when we got him. I know he was injured last year but I’m wondering if he will play this year. Maybe it was a career ending injury.
Demi at 4.6 yards/carry is a decent effort.
Wilcox at 5.5 yards/carry BEFORE his last game was already proving he is a game-day player!
On Saturday, Wilcox had 80 yards on 8 carries! Nearly any other team in the land would have given him a few more runs to reach 100 !!! Reward a guy who proves he is a game-day player!!!
I remember Boom getting poorly handled when his sister was murdered and left after that season for the pros. I met a cousin who told me he would have stayed if handled properly.
How many years does a $9 Million HC need to learn how to handle difficult circumstances and to reward players who are successful on GAME-DAY!