LEXINGTON, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW)- Kentucky football is approaching their first game week of 2024 after its last scrimmage of preseason camp.
Injury Report
Head Coach Mark Stoops is pleased with where his team stands, except for injuries.
“There are two guys who will have some significant time missed who are important to us,” said Stoops. “Other than that just bumps and bruises.”
Stoops later revealed the highly touted freshman wide receiver Hardley Gilmore will miss an estimated half a season.
He joins running back Chip Trayanum in the training room. The Ohio State transfer is out for several weeks.
“Demie (Sumo-Karngbaye) has been really good. Jamarion (Wilcox) has to push,” said Stoops, when asked who would pick up the slack in Trayanum’s absence.
Up Tempo Training
First year offensive coordinator Bush Hamdan’s tempo style scheme is being installed smoothly according to players and coaches.
“I think we had a 12 or 13 play drive,” said Stoops. “We worked some good situational work with the ones.”
A key unit to help execute smooth and lethal no huddle drives is the offensive line.
Center Eli Cox is back for his sixth and final season. Cox and second time UK offensive line coach Eric Wolford are looking to build back the ‘Big Blue Wall,’ in time for kickoff.
“The main thing is getting reps,” said Cox. “Being able to have a 16 play drive where we aren’t huddling, working the tempo, working the operation and working with Brock (Vandagriff) is critical.”
Commanding Quarterbacks
Kentucky’s quarterback room is deep with projected starter Brock Vandagriff, transfer Gavin Wimsatt, second time Wildcat Beau Allen and newcomer Cutter Boley.
Three of the four, omitting Boley, have a healthy dose of college experience.
“The four guys that we have I have so much confidence in them,” said Stoops. “I feel like all four guys can play.”
Vandagriff, a Georgia transfer, has impressed everyone on a constant basis. Defensive backs like Maxwell Hairston have nothing but praise.
“He’s solid. I say that because he can put the ball in the air or he’s smart enough to use his legs,” said Hairston. “Brock’s showed maturity throughout this camp and I’m excited to see him go out there and do his thing.”