Kentucky is just days away from kicking off their 2023 season vs Ball State and they have released their first official depth chart. Going into camp, there were a few position groups on both sides of the ball that had some competition. The major questions were: Has Kaiya Sheron won the QB2 job or is there still an ongoing battle with Deuce Hogan and Destin Wade? Would the veteran Flax win the RT job over USC transfer Courtland Ford? Who was going to separate themselves at CB? Lets find out the answers. We will start with the offensive side of the ball.
To no ones surprise, NC State transfer QB Devin Leary has officially been named QB1 and is ready to take control of this offense. Behind him, sophomore QB Kaiya Sheron is still battling with Destin Wade for the QB2 job. Kaiya has looked good in camp and wouldn't be shocked to see him break away as QB2 outright soon.
Next up are the running backs. Newcomer Ray Davis is listed as RB1 with Jutahn McClain, Demie Sumo-Karngbaye, Ramon Jefferson, Lavell Wright, and freshman Jamarion Wilcox completing the room. I expect a lot of these guys to get a ton of carries and/or catches out of the backfield.
No real surprises at tight end or wide receiver. Lots of "OR's" at TE but I expect UK to use 4, if not 5, TE's this fall. Lots of talent in both rooms but one interesting note is true freshman Anthony Brown-Stephens is listed as the backup to Barion Brown already after putting on a show in the spring and so far in fall camp. Same as the running back room, lots of guys listed here that are going to get tons of snaps, especially in the loaded tight end room.
As we look at the offensive line, the last question on offense has not been answered... for now. Jeremy Flax and Courtland Ford are listed as OR so both will get plenty of reps over the next few weeks to try and solidify the starting job. To round out the OL: Marquis Cox will start at LT, Kenneth Horsey at LG, Jager Burton at C, and Eli Cox at RG.
At defensive line, we will see a heavy dose of Deone Walker, Josiah Hayes, Octavious Oxendine, Keshawn Silver with guys like Tre'vonn Rybka and Khalil Saunders rotating in. I expect big things from this group in creating a more effective pass rush.
The linebackers feature a lot of seasoned vets. Guys like JJ Weaver, Trevin Wallace, D'Eryk Jackson and either Alex Afari or Keaten Wade will start. Martez Thrower, Daveren Rayner, Noah Matthews, and Tyrese Frearbry will be rotating in. Depth at LB is thin so staying injury-free is a must.
In the Secondary, Maxwell Hairston and Andru Phillips have won the starting corner jobs. Cincinnati transfer JQ Hardaway and Ohio State transfer Jantzen Dunn are listen as the backups but will see plenty of reps. At Safety, simply put, UK is LOADED. Jalen Geiger is back after having his season cut short with an injury last year. Jordan Lovett is looking to continue his strong play. Keep an eye on true freshman Ty Bryant who will rotate behind Jordan Lovett. The cats list Childress OR Geiger and Lovett to start but will rotate heavily based on offensive schemes they face.
For the Specialists, Georgia Southern transfer Alex Raynor has won the kicking job. I have heard really good things about this kid from his last stop and that a change of scenery was just what he needed. Chance Poore will still handle kickoff duty. Wilson Berry will be the punter. Tayvion Robinson will continue to return punts and Barion Brown will look to take a few more kickoffs to the house on kickoff return. Accompanying Brown on kickoff return is true freshman Anthony Brown-Stephens who will look to add some juice as well.
Overall, about what I expected. Kentucky has three "tune-up" games to start the year so it'll be good for the coaching staff to be able to evaluate those battles to determine the best player before getting into the gritty part of the schedule. By week 4, I expect to see significantly less "OR's". Saturday cant get here soon enough!
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