Bunchy Stallings, the offensive line coach at East Jessamine, was an All-American at Kentucky and still remembers and uses lessons that John Schlarman taught him. (UK Athletics Photo)
Former Kentucky All-American offensive lineman Bunchy Stallings still remembers the impact then offensive line coach John Schlarman had on him and others before his passing.
“Schlarman still influences me,” said Stallings, “I still think about him all the time. He never liked to yell it unless the situation really needed it. I remember times when coach Schlarman would yell and you knew if he raised his voice it had to be important for him to get the point across. He always treated people around him so well. I never forgot that.”
Stallings played in the NFL two years and then had COVID shut down football when he was trying to catch on with smaller professional leagues. He went to work in the corporate world but football was all in his passion and now he is the assistant coach at East Jessamine High School.
Even though his last season at UK was 2018 when Benny Snell set the career rushing record, Stalling still tries to go around the UK football program to talk with some players.
“I at least want to be somebody who can encourage them and tell them you got to stick to it. It starts in the weight room and I tell them to make sure we are doing that the right way and everything else will fall in place,” Stallings said. “Make sure you are living right.
“I tell them the biggest thing I fought for was to make sure I had a good relationship with the guys around me. Our guys loved each other when I played. We are always with each other and that makes a difference.”
That offensive line continuity made me wonder about UK’s potential plan to start four, or maybe five, transfers in the offensive line in 2025 even with starting guards Jalen Farmer and Jager Burton returning.
Kentucky offensive line coach Eric Wolford brought in five offensive linemen from the portal — Bowling Green tackle Alex Wollschlaeger, Western Kentucky center Evan Wibberley, New Mexico State left tackle Shiyazh Pete, Arkansas guard Josh Braun and New Mexico tackle/guard Wallace Unamba.
Stallings said the transfer portal has created a different world for college football.
“The guys we did get all have one or two years (of eligibility) left. They have all played a lot of football. They should be able to plug in and go, but I would not be surprised if we play a rotational style,” Stallings said. “We have a bunch of younger guys who are able to play and it could come down to who feels comfortable with each other but I do believe one of the tackles and the center start for sure.”
Stallings felt UK coach Mark Stoops and Wolford had to bring in competition, something UK missed last year, to rebuild the offensive line.
“When you have great competition that makes you appreciate going out there and fighting for this name across your chest,” Stallings said. “We talk about the Big Blue Wall and I see all this and that but it really is a mentality. It was always a group of people who did not give up and no matter what defenses did we were running the ball.”
Stallings was the run game coordinator for East Jessamine High School last year and will also be coaching the offensive line this season. He enjoyed meeting with head coach Trenton Fields last season and was the coach’s “eyes in the (press) box” which was a new role for him.
“I think this will be a really fun year. I have some things in mind to show people what I can do with the players I have,” the former Kentucky All-American said. “We are going to put the work in. What I learned from Schlarman and how to go about things the right way is really needed in today’s world.
“My long-term goal is to gain all the experience I can and move up as high as I can if I get the chance. I would love to land a college position one day and help as many players as I can understand what it takes to be successful.”
One Response
What I really love about this years offensive line is we have more speed and the 2 guys who are back Burton and Farmer I thought were the best 2 offensive lineman from last year. I think Burton and Farmer both start but I think maybe Burton plays some center as well. We have 8 guys who I think could start for any team in America. Then we have a bunch of freshman and redshirt freshman and sophomores that should be ready to go if there number is called! We should have a great first string and a good second string! Last year we didn’t even have a good first string so I’m super happy about that! Wide receivers are improved from last year! Besides Key who didn’t have great speed we sucked at wide receiver. I bet brown doesn’t start at wide Receiver for LSU or slot! I bet they find out quick he will be on kickoff and that’s all you can’t trust him on punt return he has bad hands. Like I said I think we are much better at receiver! I think Wilcox and the Nebraska transfer running back will be a great one two punch! Patterson also looked pretty good in limited carries which he should get more this year! Kattus should finally have a good year in his senior season and I think Rodriguez is the man in the tight end room! Calzada is better than what people give him credit for another thing that will help him is his age! I think he will be 25-26 during the season! He won’t make young mistakes and he’s started alot of games in the SEC for Texas A&m and would have started for Auburn but he was injured! So this is a guy who could have started for 2 different SEC programs and now he’s in his final year having played a ton of live action football. I think unless he gets hurt he will get close to the 3,000 yard threshold but then again I think Cutter will be some snaps this year too getting him ready to take over at any given minute. I think Saunders is the future of Kentucky football but hey what do I know! Calzada will have a good enough year to get drafted in the late rounds of the draft! I love our offense this year I could go on all day! We finally have offensive coordinator for more than one year bad thing is not to many people are left for the continuity! I think our defense will also be improved you have alot of guys who want to prove that they deserve to be here in the SEC. From seeing our schedule to and seeing our roster who we have right now! I say we go 8-4 next year 4-4 in the SEC. We win a big game that nobody thinks we win then we win 3 50/50 games in the SEC. Going to a bowl game winning it going 9-4 on the season buying Mark Stoops another make or break year! Were he does even better and goes 10-3 5-3 and then we give Stoops a lifetime contract and win only 6 games over the next 3 year span! Lol