Evan Wibberley X Photo
Replacing veteran center Eli Cox has to be a priority to help Kentucky coach Mark Stoops put together the kind of offensive line he wants for the 2025 season.
Koby Keenum, last year’s backup and a player who thought he would potentially be the starting center next year, has transferred to Mississippi State probably because he had heard Western Kentucky center Evan Wibberley was transferring to Kentucky even before he made it official.
Wibberley was a three-star recruit who played for coach David Brossart at Dixie Heights. He redshirted in 2022 and then played in 11 games in 2023 before making his first start in Western’s 38-38 overtime win over Old Dominion in the Famous Toastery Bowl. He was named to the Conference USA All-Freshman Team.
He was Western’s starting center in 2024 and was named as an honorable mention for the All-CUSA team. He played almost 500 snaps in 2024 and has the starting experience and production that Stoops wanted.
Wibberley visited UK last weekend and didn’t need long to make his commitment.
He brings another piece to what will be almost a totally rebuilt offensive line. Kentucky already had commitments from New Mexico tackle Wallace Unamba, Arkansas guard Josh Braun and Bowling Green tackle Alexander Wallschlaeger.
5 Responses
I’m stoked about the rebuild on the football team. I think it was needed. You could see that there was a chemistry issue and there weren’t any leaders on the team. Another thing I love is our new quarterback. I always talk about that the quarterback needs a extra competitive mind frame and this kid has it. He honestly reminds me of Vanderbilts quarterback. He does whatever it takes to win. Our O line will also be much improved next year. The 4 guys that we have gotten in the portal all had better scouting grades then our o line last year. Plus they all played at smaller schools so our strength and conditioning program is way better and we should have a better defense to get them adjusted as well. We also got some stud receivers and a stud power back to be the thunder and lightning with Wilcox. I also think Patterson will be much better next year. We also didn’t lose anyone in the secondary except Hairston and Childress. DJ Waller JQ Hardaway will be much improved next year at the corners and we also got our starting safety back Jordan Lovett who has been the most consistent player in the secondary the last 2 years. With the players we’ve gotten in the portal. We are looking much better than last year. I’m not saying we are going to win double digit wins. But I think we are much more competitive next year and we make a bowl game. I know this we will have a very exciting team to watch. Just like Vanderbilt quarterback gives them a punchers chance against anyone I think Kentucky will be like that next year. We will win some games nobody thinks we will win.
Until at least the OC, OL coach & Secondary coach are “transferred” via pink slips, players will play a very limited role in the W-L column.
Yea I agree if they don’t make a coaching change then the coaches need to change there philosophy on a ton of things. I’ve seen stranger things happen. I think we actually make a bowl game in Stoops last ride. He will work his ass off now to show that he’s still relevant. I honestly think this is what Stoops needed to get his head out of his ass. We shall see. I like the transfer portal guys this year much more than last year. I really love the transfer quarterback and o lineman. Which I think was about 50% of the problem. Also Key and Brown acted like they already made it with there attitudes. I’m glad they left. Wilcox will be a bolt of lightning next year and the running back transfer would have started this year which is why I don’t understand why he came to Kentucky. Well actually I do because of $$. I do the defense will be much better with all of our secondary back and some younger guys who got a ton of experience with injuries in 2024. The Quarterback is a winner. He does whatever it takes to win and he has a much quicker release than BVG with a great pass blocking o line. Then 4 o lineman we brought in will all start and they are all good pass blockers. I would like to see at least 2 more o line transfers come in and then develop the guys who are left. Aba Selm and Malachi Wood and Mark Nave should all be much better next year. Also JQ Hardaway improved alot last year and should be even better next year. Along with DJ Waller they should be shut down corners next year and we have our best safety back Jordan Lovett as long as none of these guys transfer we should be pretty good next year. We also have Josiah Hayes and Kahlil Saunders back on the line with Davern Rather and Henry Young all experienced defenders.
As I said before I love there size all about 290-300 instead of 345 and cant hardly move. These offensive lineman will be night and day better at pass blocking. You have to have guys who can move there feet on pass blocking. We have 3 very great pass blocking o lineman in the portal and the other is pretty good he actually graded better than Amy of the guys from last year.
If the cats don’t go to a bowl next year do you think stoops should leave