Rise of the Bluegrass Empire: A Kentucky Wildcats Dynasty

[jasontoddwhitt]

Season Review







Coach Mark Stoops Commits Long-Term to Kentucky: Signs Five-Year Extension

Kentucky Wildcats Head Coach Mark Stoops has inked a substantial five-year extension following a stellar 9-4 season, solidifying his commitment to the program. Stoops' leadership has been pivotal in the Wildcats' resurgence, propelling them to significant achievements on the gridiron.

With a career record of 68-57, Stoops has notched impressive victories, notably going 11-18 against rivals and showcasing competitiveness with an 11-23 record against Top 25 teams. His prowess in bowl games stands strong with a 4-3 record, reflecting his ability to prepare the Wildcats for postseason success.

The extension signifies mutual confidence between Stoops and the university, amplifying the Wildcats' aspirations to establish themselves among college football's elite. Stoops' vision and dedication continue to drive Kentucky football toward sustained success, buoyed by a culture of excellence and resilience.

Stoops expressed gratitude for the ongoing support and remains steadfast in his commitment to elevate the Wildcats' football program. With this extension, Kentucky fans can anticipate more memorable seasons under Stoops' guidance, fueling a collective drive towards further accomplishments on the field.

[jasontoddwhitt]

Head Coaching Carousel

[Collegefbfan]

Man, I have been looking in the wrong place. i keep checking the "How Is Your Dynasty Going" page. Very few posts there. I decided to give this page a go. Wow! Your dynasty coverage is incredible. It must take days to type all the information up. The pictures, write-ups, charts, etc. are nice. Great job.

[jasontoddwhitt]

Quote: Originally Posted by Collegefbfan

Man, I have been looking in the wrong place. i keep checking the "How Is Your Dynasty Going" page. Very few posts there. I decided to give this page a go. Wow! Your dynasty coverage is incredible. It must take days to type all the information up. The pictures, write-ups, charts, etc. are nice. Great job.

Nah, it doesn't take days. The longest part is coming up with templates. Those can take several hours. Generally, I can get a game posted in an hour-hour and a half.

Thanks for reading!

[jasontoddwhitt]

Notable Players Leaving



Also Leaving: C Quentin Wilson (76 ovr) - Graduate

[jasontoddwhitt]

Kentucky Welcomes Four Powerhouse Transfers
By Remy Wilde

In an enigmatic whirlwind of collegiate football, the Kentucky Wildcats have welcomed a quartet of diverse and promising transfers into their fold. These newcomers are poised to alter the Wildcats ' gridiron landscape, each boasting a distinctive narrative of triumph, challenge, and untapped potential.

QB Jason Bean leads the influx, a name that resonates from the Kansas plains. This former North Texas promise turned Kansas hopeful carries a story of resilience. Despite a limited showing last season with a mere 14 passes and 87 yards, Bean arrives at Kentucky with a year of eligibility, signaling an opportunity for redemption and a chance to reignite his quarterback legacy.

Joining the ranks is HB Kobe Pace, the Cedartown gem fresh from Clemson's esteemed roster. With a past somewhat obscured by the shadows of Mafah and Shipley, Pace stands on the precipice of unleashing untamed potential. His 27 carries, 155 yards, and two touchdowns from the previous season at Clemson merely hint at the explosive force he could unleash on Kentucky's offensive juggernaut.

DE Desmond Evans strides in from North Carolina with a pedigree marked by potential yet unfulfilled promises. A four-star prodigy, Evans' stint at North Carolina yielded a mere two tackles last season. Yet, armed with one remaining year of eligibility, the Wildcats envision a canvas for Evans to paint his masterpiece, transforming Kentucky's defensive prowess.

Lastly, outside linebacker Eyabi Okie has a rollercoaster narrative embroiled in commitment shifts and transferred dreams. Once a beacon at Alabama, the Baltimore prodigy made waves, gracing the All-SEC freshman team in 2018, only to navigate a turbulent path through UT-Martin and Michigan. His ten tackles and two for loss at Michigan hint at Okie's latent potential, poised to erupt in a frenzy of prowess on Kentucky's defense.

These four arrivals bring with them diverse tales of struggle and promise, each a potential game-changer for the Wildcats. As they intertwine their destinies with Kentucky's fervent blue and white, the echoes of potential reverberate across the college football landscape, igniting hope for a Wildcats resurgence.

Remy Wilde is a new hire at the blog who will mostly be writing features. He is an eccentric wordsmith with a penchant for weaving tales that transcend the ordinary.

Wildcats Revamp Offensive Lineup: Shifts and Strategies for a Stronger Front
By Alex Carrington

In a strategic move aimed at optimizing their offensive line, the Kentucky Wildcats are set to shuffle their lineup, aiming to leverage the skills and strengths of their players in the upcoming season.

Head Coach Mark Stoops disclosed the plan, emphasizing the need to field the best combination of players to fortify the offensive front. "We want to ensure our best five linemen are on the field, working in cohesion to bolster our offense," Stoops commented in a recent press briefing.

One notable change in the alignment includes the transition of LT Kenneth Horsey to his natural position at left guard. Horsey, a seasoned player, is anticipated to bring his expertise to the interior line, fortifying Kentucky's presence and creating opportunities in the trenches.

With the departure of RG Tashawn Manning due to graduation, LG Jager Burton is slated to step into the vacated position on the right side of the line. This adjustment aims to capitalize on Burton's skill set and adaptability, providing stability and experience in the crucial role.

Coach Stoops expressed optimism about the changes, stating, "We have a talented group of linemen, and we're aiming to optimize their abilities by positioning them strategically."

A key outcome of these adjustments is the emergence of former five-star recruit Kiyaunta Goodwin, who is poised to step into the left tackle role. Goodwin's potential and skill set have drawn attention since his recruitment, and the coaching staff is enthusiastic about his prospects in anchoring the left side of the line.

The Wildcats look to utilize these changes to bolster their offensive strategy and provide a robust foundation for their plays in the upcoming season. With a blend of experience and emerging talent, the offensive line adjustments aim to maximize performance and efficacy in the team's pursuit of success on the gridiron.

Alex Carrington is a seasoned sports journalist with a knack for dissecting team strategies and player dynamics.

[jasontoddwhitt]

Quick update on the status of this dynasty. Before my couple of readers panics, no, we're not dead.

The delay in the start of the new season is because I made a slight boo-boo when using a transfer portal spreadsheet. I didn't read the directions closely enough, advanced too far in the offseason, and skipped a very important step.

So now I have to use the editor to fix 53 depth charts, which is time-consuming and soul-draining (especially when the editor freezes because you accidentally clicked on the wrong thing and didn't save your work). Add overtime at work and recurring sinus issues...yeah.

In the meantime, I'm trying to time the posts I have left in the chamber to coincide with the milestones I reached in the editing process. I plan on getting posts up later today with stories on national transfer portal news and a feature on a potential QB battle between incoming transfer Jason Bean and a player who wasn't even on my radar since he was buried deep on the depth chart last year.

[jasontoddwhitt]

Transfer Portal Breakdown - The Top Ten Transfers This Season

As the transfer portal redefines the landscape of college football, the quest for talent has reached an unprecedented fever pitch. Amidst the offseason shuffle, seasoned veterans and rising stars have thrown their names into the mix, stirring anticipation and speculation across the collegiate gridiron. With many talents now up for grabs, the pursuit of these game-changing players has escalated, igniting debates and fueling aspirations for programs seeking an instant upgrade. Delve into this exclusive ranking of the top ten players who navigated the transfer portal—a dossier highlighting the impact-makers poised to reshape the dynamics of college football next season.

#1 JR WR Emeka Egbuka (Ohio State --> Alabama)
2022 Stats: 39 catches, 702 yards, 7 TD
Progression: 93 ovr --> 99 ovr

The Ohio State passing attack struggled last year after the injury to C.J. Stroud, and Emeka Egbuka found himself not getting a lot of targets behind Marvin Harrison Jr. and Jaxon Smith-Njigba. With Stroud going to the NFL and Smith-Njigba returning for another year, Egbuka decided to get out of the shadows to be a number-one WR.

Enter Alabama. The Tide have several good wide receivers but are missing that true #1 elite receiver. Egbuka definitely solves that. With Jalen Milroe getting the reigns of the offense after the departure of Bryce Young to the NFL Draft, he will have plenty of studs to sling the ball to.

#2 JR(RS) HB Keaton Mitchell (East Carolina --> UCLA)
2022 Stats: 84 carries, 487 yards, 5 TDs
Progression: 91 ovr --> 93 ovr

Injury derailed what was a solid start to the season for Keaton Mitchell, who has two years of eligibility left. UCLA lost 1,000-yard rusher Zach Charbonnet to graduation, and Chip Kelly has found a speedster in Mitchell who should have a break-out year on the big stage, provided he can stay healthy.

#3 JR CB Kamari Lassiter (Georgia --> USC)
2022 Stats: 32 tackles, one sack, three interceptions, five pass breakups
Progression: 90 ovr --> 97 ovr

When redshirt sophomore Kelee Ringo decided to return to Georgia, that signaled to Kamari Lassiter that it was time to go if he wanted to shine. Lassiter thrived as a nickel back for Georgia but wants more playing time. He will get plenty of opportunities in LA, as the Trojans definitely needed help in the secondary.

#4 JR(RS) TE Arik Gilbert (Georgia --> Alabama)
2022 Stats: 2 catches, 17 yards
Progression: 90 ovr --> 95 ovr

Stuck behind Brock Bowers and Darnell Washington, Gilbert got few opportunities at Georgia. Washington is gone, but Gilbert wants out of Bowers' shadow. Enter Alabama again as the rich get richer. With the graduation of Cameron Latu, the Tide have a definite need at tight end that Gilbert should fill.

#5 JR WR Nate McCollum (Georgia Tech --> Buffalo)
2022 Stats: 71 catches, 1048 yards, 7 TD
Progression: 90 ovr --> 92 ovr

This one leaves us puzzled until you realize this is the age of NIL, and people at Buffalo ponied up some money to get two new wide receivers (they also pulled Seth Jones out of Baylor). QB Cole Snyder has a couple of speedsters to lob the ball up to, and McCollum and Jones should eat up the MAC the next two seasons, as only Kent State's receiver corps seems to be on the same level on paper.

#6 SR(RS) WR Jordan Whittington (Texas --> Notre Dame)
2022 Stats: 30 catches, 375 yards, 3 TD
Progression: 89 ovr --> 92 ovr

Notre Dame's offense needs some major help. The fan base wanted a new QB. They didn't get that. In fact, they lost Tyler Buchner (who went to LSU after missing last season due to injury). So the fans will hope that Whittington can slot into the number one role, which early signs seem to say could be the case. If freshmen Evan Stewart and Jayden Thomas progress nicely, and QB Drew Pyne can cut back on the interceptions, the Fighting Irish passing attack could look much better in 2023.

#7 SR(RS) DE Javontae Jean-Baptiste (Ohio State --> Maryland)
2022 Stats: seven tackles, one pass breakup
Progression: 88 ovr --> 90 ovr

Buried on the depth chart at Ohio State, the former four-star recruit is taking his talents to Maryland. It's a huge get for the Terrapins, but as thin as their defensive line is, Jean-Baptiste will either get all the sacks or all the double-teams. With Taulia Tagovailoa returning for his senior year, Maryland's offense should be good, and Jean-Baptiste will help the defense. But he can't do it alone.

#8 SR(RS) CB Cameron Mitchell (Northwestern --> Michigan State)
2022 Stats: 47 tackles, two sacks, two interceptions, six pass breakups
Progression: 88 ovr --> 92 ovr

We wouldn't want to be stuck playing for Northwestern, either. With little support surrounding him, Mitchell has decided to take his talents across the conference to join the Spartan secondary for his last year of eligibility. The Spartans have quite the trio in Mitchell, Cam Hart, and Jarrian Jones in the secondary.

#9 JR HB Brian Battie (USF --> BYU)
2022 Stats: 76 carries, 462 yards, 3 TD
Progression: 88 ovr --> 94 ovr

An injury-plagued season and a new head coach have led Battie to look for greener pastures. With BYU moving to the Big XII conference and Christian Brooks's graduation, the Cougars needed an upgrade at running back. If Battie can stay healthy, the Cougars will have a running game to take the pressure off a young QB stable looking to replace Jaren Hall.

#10 SR(RS) WR De'Corian Clark (UTSA --> Iowa State)
2022 Stats: 48 catches, 795 yards, 11 TDs
Progression: 88 ovr --> 91 ovr

New head coach Ryan Grubb is tasked with fixing the offense at his alma mater. Grabbing De'Corian Clark is a great first step. At 6'3", 210 pounds, Clark is a big-bodied target for Hunter Dekkers, who is looking to take the next step in his development heading into his junior season.