L'Damian Washington with Kentucky commit Dallas Dickerson and UK head coach Mark Stoops. (X Photo)
First-year receivers coach L’Damian Washington has been able to help persuade four receivers — Denarius Gray, Dallas Dickerson, Prince Jean and Davis McCray — to verbally commit to Kentucky despite UK’s 4-8 finish in 2024.
He’s been able to do that by convincing them that the culture of Kentucky football really has changed from last year and will continue to be better.
“I think you have to be transparent and honest (with recruits), and I think you have to just make sure that the leaders in your locker room continue to uphold the values of the head coach,” Washington said. “When you get that, everybody’s going all in together. In a sense that’s easier said than done. But when the common goal is team first and if you take the selfishness out of it, that’s what you get.”
Players being paid can create splits in the locker room/culture but Washington said the “money piece” has not been a problem during his short time at Kentucky.
“I haven’t heard one problem about money since I’ve been here. Now my previous place (South Florida), we heard it early on. We got those guys out of the program that were disturbing the locker room, and then we went on to have success,” Washington said.
“But here, I haven’t heard that one time, so it’s a good culture and good leadership in the locker room. I always tell people hard work doesn’t always mean great results. It just gives you a fighting chance, in my opinion, but what I see is a team that’s coming together. Now, I wasn’t here last year, so I don’t know what the off season looked like. I saw the spring, and I saw what it looks like now, two completely different teams.”
Washington said it has been easy to see players taking more accountability and coming into the coaches’ offices more and more.
“Those guys are in the office to get coached. They’re volunteering their own personal free time to come into the office and meet with us. When that happens and the camaraderie is built, it matters,” Washington said. “They want to be around each other and they like each other. It’s completely different on Saturdays, and they go into battle with each other.”
Washington has another observation that should make UK fans feel better about the upcoming season.
“I see a coaching staff that’s putting in more hours than ever. You got the players buying in and they have come together and that’s how you have a winning season. If you have to ask me, it’s going to be a great fall just based on everything that I’ve seen,” Washington said. “I’ve been around some really good teams and I really like the spirit and teamwork we have. We also have a lot of people willing to do the dirt work and don’t mind doing it.”
4 Responses
Dallas Dickerson is going to be the next Darrell abney. I think he is better than dicky Lyons jr. He is farther ahead of these 2 Kentucky greats. He will need on redshirt season, to hit the weight room and get bigger stronger and faster. Personally I think we upgraded the receiver coach position. I like Washington and I wasn't sold on Shorts. I knew Shorts would be a one and done and I honestly think he got in Brown and Keys ear and he is the reason they transferred. I think Barion Brown made a good move switching to LSU a championship contender this year. Key transferring is still a head scratcher. If he would have came back for one more year and just had the same type of production this year as he had last year which I think he would improve his numbers because we have a better QB and better O Line. He would be Kentucky all time leader in receiving yards, catches, and possibly receiving touchdowns. It's a head scratcher to go to the big ten were they run the ball 70% of the time and focus mostly on running the football especially at Nebraska. I honestly think he ruined his NFL hype as well. Coming back to Kentucky setting all the records he would have at least been drafted by the 3rd or 4th round. He's not a first or second round pick because he lacks breakaway speed. Now he will get drafted but it will probably be in the 6th or 7th round maybe going undrafted. Brown seals his own fate. If he runs a couple of kickoffs back to the house this year he will get drafted. If he does what he has done the last 3 years and thats drop numerous passes, and he's had more passes hit his hands and the ball gets bobbled in the air and the other team picks it off. Ive probably seen this 3-4 times while he was here. I was more happy to see Brown leave then Key. I think we will do better with these 2 guys off our team. They were both head cases who was all about Me me me me. I like our receiver room better this year compared to last year. I also believe if we go bowling or better that our whole staff will come back for 2026. Bush Hamdan needs to have a big season or this will be his last chance as a offensive coordinator on this level. If I had to bet my life savings on how many wins we will get this year for Kentucky I would say 7+ wins. Anything less and think Stoops is gone.
Out of curiosity please list the 7 win candidates.
1)Toledo
2) Ole Miss: they lost toms of talent
3)Eastern Michigan
Possible 4:) USC: toss.
5) Tennessee: Why? We play them tough at home and only lost between 3-7 points since at home when we beat them. It’s due for one again.
6:) Vanderbilt: why? We haven’t lost down at Vandy in years.
7) Auburn: Idk you can say toss.
8:) Florida: At home, DJ lagway can have step back due to injury.
9:) Tennessee Tech
10:) Louisville: like 2023
There will be couple of teams Stoops going to upset more likely due to this year pressure. He at his best.
Possible: 6-9 win.
Ceiling 9-3
Middle: 7-5
Floor: 6-6
Jaycob – I swore off the koolaid after last year.