Fall Camp reached a crescendo on Saturday. The fall semester at Kentucky begins on Monday. After two weeks of all football, all the time, the UK coaches got one more look at the Wildcats with a scrimmage on Kroger Field. Things looked much better than what transpired a week ago, but it still wasn’t the prettiest picture. Here are a few things we learned.
Ball Security is Job Security
There was one thing stopping Will Stein from giving the Kentucky offense unmitigated praise: fumbles. The Wildcats had a much smoother operation from the huddle to the snap. Once the ball was snapped, things didn’t always go UK’s way.
“We put the ball on the ground a couple times, and if you do that, you won’t play. It’s just that simple,” said offensive coordinator Joe Sloan. “But you know, outside of that, I thought there were some really good situational things, some guys taking advantage, some really good work, and a big improvement that we carry throughout the week and into Saturday.”
That doesn’t tell the entire story either. Kenny Minchey is far from a polished product, but the first-time starter took a step in the right direction, even if it didn’t always produce the desired result.
“The first week was just — I think the offense as a whole struggled just to really get going,” said Stein. “Today, I thought he did a nice job of throwing the ball where we’re supposed to. There were some drops that are out of his control, but I thought for the most part today he played within himself and it went where the ball was supposed to go.”
There might be a logical explanation for those drops and fumbles.
Kentucky Tests the Twos
“When we have our full strength, we look like a real SEC team,” said Stein. “We’re really big up front. We got big receivers, big tight ends and backs.”
But Kentucky has not been at full strength throughout fall camp. The coaches are managing the health of numerous contributors. WR Nic Anderson got back to running routes full speed this week. Jovantae Barnes is still out, but CJ Baxter is seeing more and more action on the field. DJ Miller missed the previous week of practice, but returned this week and made a big play during the scrimmage.
“He gives us a little bit more of a vertical threat. I think he has that big body. He does a nice job of giving a friendly target in that way,” said Sloan.
Tegra Tshabola returned to the starting lineup on the offensive line, but it doesn’t sound like he was blocking too many starters. Jay Bateman said he had to pull Tavion Gadson out of the lineup against the defensive tackle’s wishes. The Kentucky defensive coordinator used the second scrimmage to see how others would respond without vets — like LB Grant Godfrey, some of the defensive linemen, and the two safeties — on the field. Kentucky was also light on cornerbacks during this scrimmage.
As much as you want to hear how well the ones are playing together before the opening game, it’s more important that they all make it to the opening game with a clean bill of health. Kentucky protected their playmakers and did not force many of them into action for prolonged periods of the second preseason scrimmage.
A Few “No-Name” Players Emerge for Kentucky
Everyone, be honest. Have you heard the name Prince Jean before? Go ahead, put your hand down. You’re not fooling anyone.
The true freshman was a three-star recruit who didn’t get a ton of shine when he signed with Kentucky, but he’s emerged as a consistent playmaker in the Kentucky wide receiver room. Will Stein grouped him together with a few other “no-namers.” These are the guys fans may not yet know, but have made the most of every opportunity this summer.
“I like guys like Ja’Kayden Ferguson with some big upside. I like Kenny Darby. I mean, that guy is super talented. Prince Jean had a really great camp. Brock Coffman is super reliable,” said Stein.
Chemistry is created during fall camp. When others have not been able to go, the no-namers have stepped in and made plays. They are reliable and available, an expectation that will follow them into the season.
“We’re going to need all those guys, and when the ball comes to them, you got to make the play,” said Sloan. “Prince made some really nice plays today. Brock made a one-handed grab around a guy that was that was something something pretty cool to see, and they’ve done it all camp. Whatever you do in practice is what you’re going to do out here (at Kroger Field).”