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Maybe one of the worst preseason predictions I’ve ever made came this year when I speculated that Ja’Mori Maclin might lead Kentucky in catches.
My logic was that teams, especially SEC opponents, were going to try and take Dane Key and Barion Brown based on what they had already done at UK. That could have given Maclin, a junior transfer from North Texas who had 73 catches for 1,384 yards and 13 scores in 26 games combined in 2022 and 2023. Maclin also knew offensive coordinator Bush Hamdan from one season together at Missouri in 2021.
However, going into UK’s game at Tennessee, Maclin had only six catches for 89 yards and seldom had been targeted.
Against the Vols, Maclin got his chance and made a dazzling, one-handed catch of a ball from backup quarterback Gavin Wimsatt for a 32-yard touchdown. He also made a two-point conversion catch on the next play.
Maclin said after Saturday night’s loss it was about perspective and “trusting God’s timing” during a difficult season.
“The season hasn’t been as good as I wanted it to be. At the end of the day, I continue to work hard in practice and build my teammate’s trust in me,” Maclin said. “When the time comes, I just have to make those plays. It wasn’t enough to get the win, but we just have to keep working and find ways to get better each week.”
Maclin and other UK receivers have had to adjust to Kentucky using quarterbacks Brock Vandagriff and Gavin Wimsatt. Maclin said having a connection with both of them is not that hard.
“We do a good job of that outside of football. Having conversations with the guys in the locker room and going out to eat with each other. I feel like that’s what builds a good connection with them outside of the field,” Maclin said. “We trust in both of those guys. We know that both of them can get the job done for us.”
While speculation has been that Brown and possibly Key could leave UK after their junior seasons to play in the NFL next season, Maclin has the same option if he wants it.
“I am going to have to make that decision at the end of the season. Right now I am just focused on getting my body right during the bye week and continuing to work with the guys,” Maclin said. “When the season ends, I will go home and talk to my cousin who played in the NFL for 10 years and we’ll figure out what the next step is for me.”
2 Responses
Could the next driver of the Pope mobile be Mr. Sumerall? That might make too much sense.
Maclin thinks he can leave and go where? To the NFL? Lol. The only thing he can do is transfer for his last year at this point. No NFL team will take a chance on a kid with only 10 receptions I’m the SEC. I also thought he would have a good season because of what you said teams watching Brown and Key should elevate his play not hurt it. It shows if he’s not the main target he’s irrelevant. I don’t really think we need him going forward. He’s played terrible all year. Even on punts. He can’t even field a punt. I would let Gilmore Farrier and Brown Stephens take over. Key is the only player on the offense who could leave early and get drafted. I doubt Brown would get picked because of how the NFL does kickoffs. Brown could be a specialist in the NFL but that’s about all he could do. He needs to come back next year and try to break the NCAA record for kickoffs then maybe he will get drafted just to be a specialist. But there is no way he’s a receiver in the league. Think of how great Wandale Robinson was at Kentucky. Probably the greatest year ever at receiver and he’s barely making it in the NFL. Bowden who was much better couldn’t make it in the NFL I know Brown wouldn’t make it. Key could make it and be like a 3rd down receiver. I think Brown and Maclin should definitely come back to college. I think if Stoops leaves then half the team leaves. But that could be a blessing in disguise.