Stoops on Monday, without going into detail as to the “why,” said he recommended that both put their names into the portal. Devonshire - who are playing regular snaps for Purdue and Pittsburgh, respectively. Or maybe UK would have been more equipped to handle losses up front if its secondary were deeper? It lost two defensive backs to the transfer portal - Jamari Brown and M.J. That unit coming into the season was one of Kentucky’s deepest, but with one starter (Octavious Oxendine) sidelined for the remainder of the year and the health of another (Marquan McCall) up in the air, plus hybrid end Jordan Wright battling an ankle problem, younger players have been put in the line of fire earlier, and more often, than for which they were ready. In hindsight, UK should have added some defensive linemen from the portal as well. Kentucky’s other three transfers haven’t gotten much meaningful time on the field but eased concerns about depth linebackers Justice Dingle and Luke Fulton have Power Five experience at their position - one of apparent need coming into 2021 - and Tre’Von Morgan’s midseason move to the tight end room has purportedly gone well. Jacquez Jones has been stronger in the middle of the defense than was even anticipated, and Dare Rosenthal has been good on the left side of the offensive line. Wan’Dale Robinson is a weekly highlight reel. Will Levis, despite some unevenness from week to week, has been one of the most complete quarterbacks that Kentucky has had under Stoops. The Wildcats’ embrace of the transfer portal was a dalliance compared to some programs in college football - Michigan State brought in 14 new players and Tennessee, which handed UK its latest loss, added 10 (after losing 33!) - but the impact produced by four of UK’s seven additions can’t be overstated. That doesn’t mean it can’t dabble with other methods, though. They get another go-round.“Recruit and develop” for a while has been Mark Stoops’ mantra in terms of team-building at the University of Kentucky, and it’s a philosophy from which the program can’t stray too far as it tries to elevate itself further in the Southeastern Conference. … You’re walking in with leaders I was counting on heavy last year and they were great leaders. “Well, we’ve got three guys who played significant snaps on that defense in Ty Ajian, DeAndre Square, Jordan Wright. “People would argue that 2018 defense may or may not be one of the top one or two defenses in Kentucky history,” defensive coordinator Brad White said. In that time, he has totaled 121 tackles, nine pass breakups and four interceptions.Ījian’s steadying presence in the secondary could be even more valuable with new starters at three of the five defensive back positions and a host of young backups who will be playing significant snaps for the first time. The super senior safety has already played in 49 games with 23 starts in his career. The return of three linebackers for the extra season of eligibility awarded all players in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic has drawn plenty of attention for Kentucky, but the secondary should benefit by the rule as well thanks to Ajian’s return.
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