JuTahn McClain hugs his mother after a Kentucky win last season. (UK Athletics Photo)
If Kentucky recruiting coordinator Vince Marrow is right — and it sure seems like he is right a lot — then a name to remember going into the 2021 Kentucky football season is sophomore running back JuTahn McClain.
“That’s a name you better get used to hearing,” Marrow said.
Marrow noted that former UK offensive coordinator Eddie Grant said the 5-9, 185-pound McClain always reminded him of Cadillac Williams, a former running back at Auburn and in the NFL who is now the running backs coach at Auburn.
“JuTahn can play receiver or running back. He’s going to be on the field,” Marrow said.
Offensive coordinator Liam Coen has indicated he wants to find ways to get more than one running back on the field at the same time because of the depth of talent UK has at that position. He also said UK’s lack of playmakers at receiver could be compensated for by having running backs in position to catch balls.
McClain played in all 11 games as a true freshman in 2020 and had 16 carries for 62 yards and one kickoff return for 26 yards. He also played on special teams and had two tackles.
He was a four-star prospect out of Fairfield, Ohio, who was ranked as the No. 8 all-purpose back in his recruiting class by 247Sports. He rushed for 1,947 yards and 21 touchdowns his senior season. In three years he ran for 4,406 yards and 53 scores but also had 48 catches for 680 yards and seven scores.
He has speed and was a sprinter and long jumper on his high school track team. He picked UK over Ohio State, Penn State, Purdue, Michigan, Michigan State, and Nebraska.
“We probably have got the best running back (Chris Rodriguez) in the country on our roster,” Marrow said. “JuTahn is really challenging him. So just remember that name. He is going to be an impact player.”
