UK football head coach Mark Stoops spoke with the media Monday afternoon as the Cats prepare for their season opener against the visiting Toledo Rockets this coming Saturday, August 31st at noon. 

Stoops spoke highly of Toledo, saying that they are a “good” football team. He emphasized preparing for a Rockets team that received the most preseason votes to win the Mid-American Conference. 

“They’re balanced offensively. They can run and throw,” Stoops said. “Extremely explosive a year ago, averaged 40 points per game. Used to winning. The defense are not going to beat themselves. They’re very sound. They very clearly know who they are, what they do, and they do it well.”

Stoops mentioned that he could see Toledo testing Kentucky’s inexperienced secondary. Jordan Griffin sits atop the Cats’ newly released depth chart at strong safety in place of the injured Davonte Robinson. Despite Griffin’s inexperience, that doesn’t seem to bother Stoops. 

“He’s been on our leadership council since he was a freshman. He’s used to being put in a leadership role,” Stoops said. “You see more and more of that now. Again, I think as you play, earn the respect of your players, you’ll see more and more of that.” 

Tackle Landon Young and linebacker Josh Paschal received praises from Stoops as well. Both players now sit atop their respective positions on the depth chart after Young missed the entire 2018 season and Paschal missed most of it.

Stoops also noted that he’s “proud” of the progression quarterback Terry Wilson has made over the last year. He displayed his excitement for the tight end and wide receiving corps as well. 

“Much like the tight end group, I’m excited. I’m confident in them. I’m confident in our wide receiver group. I’m excited to watch them play. I think they’ve worked really hard,” Stoops said. 

With a new season just days away, Stoops recognizes the importance of leadership on all sides of the ball.

“You’ve heard me talk for many years about the players and being a player-led team,” Stoops said. “We’re going to work hard to help our players in all areas. Leadership is first and foremost.”

UK Depth Chart

Offense 

LT 

1. Landon Young (Jr., 6-7, 321)

2. Nassir Watkins (Soph, 6-5, 302)

LG 

1. Logan Stenberg (Jr., 6-6, 320)

2. Kenneth Horsey (Fr, 6-3, 321)

C

1. Drake Jackson (Jr., 6-2, 312)

2. Quintin Wilson (Fr., 6-1, 302)

RG

1. Luke Fortner (Jr., 6-6, 305)

2. Mason Wolfe (Sr., 6-6, 323) 

RT

1. Darian Kinnard (Soph, 6-5, 325)

2. Naasir Watkins (Soph, 6-5, 302)

TE 

1. Justin Rigg (Jr., 6-6, 263)

2. Keaton Upshaw (Fr., 6-6, 255)

WR – X

1. Josh Ali (Jr., 6-0, 193)

2. Ahmad Wagner (Sr., 6-5, 237)

WR – Y 

1. Allen Dailey Jr. (Soph, 6-3, 204)

2. Clevan Thomas Jr. (Soph, 5-11, 213)

WR – F 

1. Lynn Bowden Jr. (Jr., 6-1, 206)

2. Clevan Thomas Jr. (Soph, 5-11, 213)

WR – Z

1. Bryce Oliver (Fr., 6-1, 208)

2. DeMarcus Harris (Fr., 6-1, 176)

QB

1. Terry Wilson (Jr., 6-3, 208)

2. Sawyer Smith (Jr., 6-3, 219)

RB 

1. A.J Rose (Jr., 6-1, 218)

2. Kavosiey Smoke (Fr., 5-9, 220) OR Chris Rodriguez Jr. (Fr., 5-11, 224)

Defense

SLB

1. Jamar “Boogie” Watson (Jr., 6-3, 224)

2. Jared Casey (Fr., 6-3, 224)

DT

1. Calvin Taylor Jr. (Jr., 6-9, 300)

2. Abuale Abadi-Fitzgerald (Soph, 6-6, 290)

NG

1. Quinton Bohanna (Jr., 6-4, 361)

2. Marquan McCall (Soph, 6-3, 371)

DE

1. T.J. Carter (Sr., 6-4, 287)

2. Kordell Looney (Jr., 6-3, 292)

OLB

1. Josh Paschal (Soph, 6-3, 284)

2. Jordan Wright (Soph, 6-5, 238)

MLB

1. Kash Daniel (Sr., 6-1, 226)

2. Jamin Davis (Soph, 6-4, 228) 

WLB

1. DeAndre Square (Soph, 6-1, 217)

2. Chris Oats (Soph, 6-3, 231)

Nickel

1. Tyrell Ajian (Soph, 6-0, 195)

2. Jordan Griffin (Sr., 6-0, 197)

CB1

1. Cedrick Dort Jr. (Soph, 5-11, 182) 

2. Brandon Eichols (Jr., 5-11, 178)

CB2

1. Jamari Brown (Fr., 6-1, 196)

2. M.J. Devonshire Jr. (Fr., 5-11, 175)

SS

1. Jordan Griffin (Sr., 6-0, 197)

2. Tyrell Ajian (Soph, 6-0, 195)

FS

1. Yusuf Corker (Soph, 6-0, 195)

2. Taj Dodson (Fr., 6-1, 192)

Special Teams

K

1. Chance Poore (Fr., 6-2, 233)

2. Matt Ruffolo (Jr., 5-11, 213)

P

1. Max Duffy (Jr., 6-1, 194)

2. Grant McKinniss (Sr., 6-1, 192)

LS

1. Blake Best (Sr., 6-1, 221)

2. Cade Degraw (Fr., 5-11, 209)

PR

Lynn Bowden Jr. (Jr., 6-1, 206)

KR

Lynn Bowden Jr. (Jr., 6-1, 206)

H

1. Grant McKinniss (Sr., 6-1, 192)

2. Max Duffy (Jr., 6-1, 194)