Jamarion Wilcox led UK in rushing last season but seems to be No. 4 on the depth chart going into the season. (Vicky Graff Photo)
Kentucky’s projected top two running backs, transfers Seth McGowan (New Mexico State) and Dante Dowdell (Nebraska), did not participate in Saturday’s scrimmage, and McGowan was seen with a boot on his ankle.
Kentucky coach Mark Stoops said only that both had “minor” injuries that should not keep either one from being ready for the season opener against Toledo on Aug. 30.
Their absence gave Kentucky’s other running backs a chance to get a lot more reps in the scrimmage, and Stoops even said he felt “better about our run game” despite not having his top two backs in the scrimmage.
Redshirt Jason Patterson and redshirt sophomore Jamarion Wilcox, who started four games and averaged almost six yards per carry last season, got a chance to show what they could do working with UK’s No. 1 offense.
“JP (Patterson) has looked good. Going back to the spring, you can pull up a few quotes that I’ve been impressed with him. He’s a good player. He is very physical, very tough. And he’s been very reliable through this camp,” Stoops said.
Wilcox has size, speed, and strength. He led Kentucky with 590 yards rushing on 92 carries last season, but coaches have continued to worry about his consistency on and off the field despite his production when he has played.
Stoops said Wilcox was “just working” like all the other players.
“Just put your head down and work and get better, and he’s doing that. With Jamarion and a lot of our younger players, as we develop them, it’s a lot of little things. Just doing the little things. He’s doing those things. He’s maturing, he’s growing, and we’ll continue to work with him,” Stoops said.
7 Responses
Wilcox has been the Doghouse for 2 years now. I doubt very seriously if he stays another year. Would you stay if you reeled off a 60 yard run then received no more carries the rest of the game? I don't know sometimes if Stoops really wants to win. The way he messes up calls at the end of games. Punting last year to Georgia on the 45 yard line to give them the ball back and we don't get another chance to score. Also going for it on 4th down in field goal range coming up with 0 points. He did this numerous times last year. When he wasn't doing something stupid one of the players would back him up with the stupidity and get a flag on the opposite side of the field from the action. Its like the old quote says "the players are a reflection of there coach. We had kids getting nachos at the concession stands during the game? Wtf was really going on with Kentucky football last year? I do think we have corrected a lot of the mistakes from last year getting older guys in the portal who are hungry and underrated. We also did a excellent job in the 2024, 2025, and so far in the 2026 class. This year is kind of a holdover year. We will know what we have for next year this year. If we can't make a bowl game the future looks bleak for Stoops. When we make a bowl game this year we can carry that over to 2026. The 2024 class will start to really contribute there third year on campus which is next year. If we can get another top 10 transfer class at the end of the year we can be scary good in 2026 and even better in 2027 Boleys redshirt junior season. We might just be unstoppable especially if we get Sumrall.
Wilcox is exhibit “A” of the HC is ever called on the carpet for utter failure. 590/92 =6.413 yards!!! There is not another coach at any level of FB – from peewee league to NFL who would turn their back on such an average!
Last year UK had the best group of players in the past dozen years according to reports from coaches & everyone who writes or speaks about college FB. The “best” issues in 4-8. So, it’s just wait and see… can the HC, OC, & OL coach manage to beat the 4-8 season? That’s nothing to brag about.
After Coen led the UK offense to a rare 10-win season, UK FB stopped progressing and slid back. I wonder if coaches have anything to do with results?
Please correct me if I’m wrong but if memory serves Stoops gets another year added to his contract every year he gets a bowl bid. That being said ( and if true ), that means U.K. pays him upwards of $9M for a mediocre season PLUS adds another $9M to his buy out.
Remember the definition of insanity ??????
And heaven forbid , some years Bowl Games have to reach into the “ 5 win “ teams 🤷♂️.
Good memory Paul
So “improving” from 4-8 to 5-7 is worth $9 Million.
Does Barney get an extension as a reward for handling UK funds so well?
We haven't won 5 yet.
I thought both Barny AND Andy had passed.