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NFL Premium Stats (opens in new tab)College Premium Stats (opens in new tab)Kentucky has endured back-to-back losing seasons for the first time in a decade, leading to Mark Stoops’ dismissal after 13 years as head coach. The Wildcats replaced him with Will Stein, who spent the past three seasons as Oregon’s offensive coordinator.
A Bluegrass State native, Stein oversaw an Oregon offense that ranked as the most efficient in the country during his tenure in EPA per play, yards per play and successful play rate. He has completely rebuilt Kentucky’s roster, adding 31 transfers, including 13 projected starters.
Notable Transfer Portal Additions
- QB Kenny Minchey (Notre Dame)
- RB CJ Baxter (Texas)
- OT Lance Heard (Tennessee)
- C Coleton Price (Baylor)
- S Jordan Castell (Florida)
Notable Transfer Portal Losses
- QB Cutter Boley (Arizona State)
- RB Dante Dowdell (Georgia)
- ED Steven Soles Jr. (Arkansas)
- CB Quay’sheed Scott (South Carolina)
- S Cam Dooley (Florida)
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Read moreTop-10 returning players at every position
By Max Chadwick
(opens in new tab) →Biggest strength: Trenches
Kentucky is strong in the trenches on both sides of the ball. The Wildcats added four projected starters along the offensive line through the transfer portal, including PFF’s No. 5 center, Coleton Price (Baylor).
The defensive line also returns three starters, led by Tavion Gadson, our No. 10 interior defensive lineman in the country.
Biggest question mark: Questions in the offensive backfield
Armed with a new quarterback and multiple transfer running backs, Kentucky’s backfield could determine the team’s fate this season. Former Notre Dame backup Kenny Minchey, who has limited career experience, will take over at quarterback. He will be joined in the backfield by transfers CJ Baxter (Texas) and Jovantae Barnes (Oklahoma), both of whom have dealt with numerous injuries throughout their careers.
It’s a talented group, but the running backs’ ability to stay healthy and Minchey’s ability to execute against SEC defenses remain major question marks.
Quarterback: Kenny Minchey
Minchey spent the past three seasons as a backup at Notre Dame. He lost last year’s starting quarterback competition to CJ Carr, leaving him with just 32 career dropbacks.
In that limited sample, Minchey has displayed relatively clean footwork, adequate athleticism and a solid, though not elite, arm. His accuracy has been inconsistent, and he can be too quick to leave the pocket at times. Minchey will need more game experience before it becomes clear whether he can develop into a productive starter.