Kentucky kicked off its spring practice on March 8 and will hold its spring game on April 16. The Wildcats are coming off a 5-7 (2-6 SEC) finish in 2015 and ranked fifth in the SEC East.
Head coach Mark Stoops’ third year nearly mirrored his second as Kentucky started strong with a 4-1 before losing six of its last seven games. Still, Stoops managed to survive through the offseason and will return for his fourth year in Lexington.
Here’s what to watch for during Kentucky’s spring practice:
Stoops on the hot seat
Stoops is in an interesting scenario. He can take credit for improving Kentucky’s football program being that he inherited a team that finished with a 2-10 record and went winless in SEC play during both his first and the season prior to his debut.
But both of Kentucky’s last two teams struggled down the stretch and missed making bowl games by just one game. Stoops needs to win to save his job in 2016. A five-win season won’t be enough to extend his time in Lexington after raising expectations.
Kentucky’s spring practice will give a glimpse into what to expect during Stoops’ fourth season. But he’s not the only Wildcats coach who will be under the microscope.
First glimpse of new offense under Eddie Gran and Darin Hinshaw
Former Kentucky offensive coordinator Shannon Dawson was the scapegoat for the team’s struggles in 2015, which became apparent once he was fired in December. Two weeks later, Kentucky hired Cincinnati assistants Eddie Gran and Darin Hinshaw as co-offensive coordinators.
Gran, who served as Cincinnati’s offensive coordinator since 2013, will also serve as assistant head coach and handle playcalling while Hinshaw will reassume his role as quarterbacks coach.
Cincinnati ranked first in total offense among AAC teams in 2015 and averaged 537.8 yards per game despite ranking third in the AAC East division. Spring practice will give a glimpse into how quickly Kentucky’s offense adjusts to another new scheme after making its third change in three seasons.
Can Drew Barker live up to high recruiting expectations?
Drew Barker entered his college career as a 4-star prospect and the top in-state player from Kentucky. Barker redshirted during his first season in Lexington but eventually overtook Patrick Towels — who transferred this offseason — for the starting job in 2015.
The redshirt freshman completed 50 percent of his passes for 364 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions during limited action for Kentucky. But in 2016, the starting role is Barker’s to lose which doesn’t seem likely with his two biggest threats — Towles and Reese Phillips — gone from the program.
He will have to compete with JUCO transfer Stephen Johnson and early enrollee Gunnar Hoak, but should be the starter for the Wildcats’ season opener against Southern Miss on Sept. 3. Kentucky fans will get their first glimpse of how their “quarterback of the future” has developed since last season and Barker will likely be the focus of the Lexington media throughout spring practice.
Replacing the front seven
Former 4-star nosetackle Matt Elam returns for his junior season. That’s pretty much the only stability on Kentucky’s defensive line. The Wildcats lost nose guard Melvin Lewis, tackle Cory Johnson and ends Farrington Huguein and Jabari Johnson on the defensive line.
Kentucky also needs to replace leading tackler Josh Forrest, Jason Hatcher and Ryan Flanningan at the linebacker positions. The departing players accounted for six of the Wildcats’ top seven tacklers.
Fortunately, Kentucky has two transfers — Courtney Love from Nebraska and De’Niro Laster from Minnesota — who are favored to start at the vacant linebacker positions. Denzil Ware and early enrollee Kash Daniel could also compete for playing time.
The post SEC Spring Preview: Kentucky appeared first on Today's "U".