OT - Chip Trayanum to UK - Will they be good next year?
UK picked up the QB from Georgia, Trayanum from Ohio State, they have some notable signees.
I'm pretty sure no one really cares about Kentucky football, but is their NIL game really that strong? They seem to be getting a lot of kids they shouldn't based on results and history.
December 12th, 2023 at 4:33 PM ^
Yeah, I think they must have finally diverted some funds from the basketball program because the football program is definitely punching above its weight-class lately in recruiting.
In answer to your question: No, they will still be completely "mid" as the kids say these days.
December 12th, 2023 at 4:36 PM ^
The thing I don't think college-level coaches have figured out, that NFL coaches know (and why Jim hasn't taken this approach), is that stars from the transfer portal (and thus free agency) then require you to build around them and their stardom.
So instead of focusing on development and key pieces of an identity, you're building your identity around what may amount to a diva, or even worse, unmet expectations.
Trust in Jim.
December 12th, 2023 at 5:24 PM ^
Very well stated, right here.
December 12th, 2023 at 7:26 PM ^
Yes, and it's not like the NFL where "star" players are coming in fully developed or ready to contribute in any given system. Most college players (specifically QB and linemen) - where most games are won - are developing up through graduation and even in their first few years in the NFL.
Patching together "dream teams" or super teams is really hard in football in general and even harder in college football.
December 12th, 2023 at 7:39 PM ^
See Sam Hartman.
December 12th, 2023 at 4:41 PM ^
KY boosters must be tired of sending all the money to Calipari's program considering their middling results for the past 5-6 seasons, while Stoops has done way more with the scraps.
December 12th, 2023 at 4:51 PM ^
They got a four star wide receiver from TX A&M as well. They are definitely punching above their weight.
December 12th, 2023 at 4:53 PM ^
At face value, UK should be a better team next year with the QB and RB transfers. They will also need a better OL. That will be their key for them to move up another level.
UK is keeping up with the times and rebooting their NIL priorities. Stoops is the HC and he's been around so I wish them well.
December 12th, 2023 at 7:08 PM ^
Good line play, talent and coaching, is the prerequisite to building a good team.
Then get a good QB.
December 12th, 2023 at 4:53 PM ^
With all these new lads I'd say the UK will be jolly good.
December 12th, 2023 at 4:55 PM ^
I live in Kentucky. Even UK fans don't think they will be good, ever, never. It's filler until basketball season.
December 12th, 2023 at 8:01 PM ^
I've met folks from Paducah who have season football tickets as well as Elizabethtown. Both follow basketball, but football is their team. I acknowledge they are probably outliers.
December 12th, 2023 at 5:02 PM ^
UK has flirted between 7-5 and 9-3 for several years depending on if they go 0.500 in division play or worse, being in the overall weaker SEC East Division.
Kentucky is basically Minnesota / Iowa / NC State. They've been a good but not great team. That level of sustained success has allowed them to better recruit. Perhaps they are good at pay to play NIL and actually delivering what is promised. A grad transfer like Trayanum is likely a late round pick or UDFA and probably gets an NIL premium plus a 2nd grad degree.
I have them going 7-5 or 8-4 next year.
- W - So. Miss
- L - Georgia
- W - Ohio U
- L - OIe Miss
- W - Murray State
- 50/50 - Louisville
- 50/50 - Florida
- 50/50 - Auburn
- W - So. Carolina
- W - Vanderbilt
- 50/50 - Tenn (close game this year; new QB; RB may go in the draft and be a 5th to UDFA, little NFL talent on their roster)
- L - Texas
December 12th, 2023 at 6:08 PM ^
Yep. Kentucky, after this year (where they're already 7-5 pre-Bowl), will have had 7 straight winning seasons (excluding 2020, COVID year). They have a couple Top 20 finishes mixed in there.
They already are pretty good, just not great.
December 12th, 2023 at 5:17 PM ^
A quick check shows that Stoops has had them at between 7-5 and 9-3 in the regular season for eight years now.
No reason to think that'll change in the SEC...especially now with TX and OK.
December 12th, 2023 at 5:24 PM ^
Stoops is a solid coach - and, in the SEC - talent acquisition is a big part of the equation - as is the competition level - particularly, challenging Georgia, Tennessee, and Mizzou.
Kentucky’s conference record has been: 5-3, 3-5, and 3-5 over the past three seasons.
Kentucky seems to lose one to three close games per season - it seems like the question is - can they convert those close losses to close wins. And, overcoming Georgia is a huge challenge. Georgia’s defeated Kentucky the past fourteen (14) games.
December 12th, 2023 at 6:23 PM ^
Weren't they top 10 at some point this year too?
December 12th, 2023 at 8:29 PM ^
They were ranked 20th in both polls after starting 5-0. Then they lost to Georgia.. and two more immediately after that.
They can contend in the SEC East.. maybe fight for second place in the division.
December 12th, 2023 at 5:27 PM ^
He has a year left. He needs a year as a guaranteed starter, a big OL, and a run focused offense. Ohio has none of those.
December 12th, 2023 at 5:33 PM ^
I think some don't realize or know how nice UK actually is. Lexington is a great town, drop dead gorgeous ladies, a pretty good school and you basically can guarantee a job somewhere in town when you graduate because they won't hire you unless you went to UK lol. There are some deep pockets in the area too.
December 12th, 2023 at 6:23 PM ^
Agreed. I live in Kentucky. Lots of horse and bourbon money between Louisville and Lexington.
December 12th, 2023 at 6:50 PM ^
And the ladies???
December 12th, 2023 at 7:59 PM ^
Well, Miss Mallory Todd Hudson, future UK grad in 2024, is Miss Kentucky 2023.
https://www.instagram.com/malthud/
December 13th, 2023 at 11:17 AM ^
Thats one thing I like about living here. It's not complete "SSS EE CEEE" country and has a mix of people from everywhere. All the bourbon festivals and historic small towns are cool to see.
December 12th, 2023 at 5:35 PM ^
There's a lot of green in bluegrass.
December 12th, 2023 at 6:01 PM ^
Definitely signs of a strong NIL. Their recruitment reminds me of Miami's; good recruits, mediocre play on the field.
December 12th, 2023 at 6:32 PM ^
I mentioned I believe preseason. There is growing animosity for Cal in Lexington. A lot have grown tired of Cals antics. A couple of their beat writers have come out to say cal has alienated big boosters. This has in turned funneled money to the football system. They do not have all donors but a couple big ones have switched programs. I think two things either happen. Cal has a run and gets the donors back or he fails like the last 7 years and UK grabs a big splash hire. Either way, I think the donors eventually find their way back to what UK is known for.
December 13th, 2023 at 11:24 AM ^
I cant understand how they havent run him out by now. Kentuckys expectations of winning have always been high. What was their last title 2011 or 2012? They were loaded with young talent and seniors. Anthony Davis was a terror.
Since then he's been recruing top 5 classes with 3-5 5* players each season and nothing to show for it. He knows they are one and done players. If I was a UK fan I'd be pissed about it. Recruiting mercenaries for a season on the way to the NBA is not a good formula IMO. They never have experience and thats why they struggle getting to final 4.
They could have any coach just to get them to the tournament.
December 12th, 2023 at 8:16 PM ^
says more about OSU's leaky boat than progress at UK. UL and UK are trending up but the ceiling is basically 9-3. brohm might exceed this again and if he does he should bolt.
no idea why cal is still there...
The horses are on the track.
December 12th, 2023 at 9:08 PM ^
LOL. No. They always get to play Vanderbilt and their OOC was three insta-wins and an overrated, but pretty Louisville. And this year all previous years, they ilkely would have had another loss if the SEC played 9 conference games.
December 13th, 2023 at 7:33 AM ^
They're still going to suck, and Georgia fans are still going to have to pretend beating them is a quality win.
December 13th, 2023 at 11:06 AM ^
As long as they're competing with Tennessee, Florida, and beating Louisville then Kentucky is happy.
December 13th, 2023 at 11:57 AM ^
I live in central Ky Lexington area, and there is quite a bit of old money here that gets thrown around, especially from RJ Corman railroads, Ball Homes, several old money horse people, the Webbs, Gray Construction, etc etc…
The Royals and the Sheik of Dubai have farms here for goodness sake
a lot of shady money lol
Stoops also makes 9mil a year. No shortage of money here