Jager Burton, center, got a lot of attention from offensive line coach Eric Wolford during Tuesday's open practice. (Larry Vaught Photo)
For the first time since preseason practice started other than Fan Day, Kentucky coach Mark Stoops let the media watch a full practice Tuesday.
Here are several things that jumped out at me:
— Former West Jessamine standout Eli Cox is No. 1 at right guard. The former three-star recruit redshirted in 2019 and played in eight games last year as a backup to left guard Kenneth Horsey. I can’t remember anyone projecting him as a starter but now he’s lined up by All-American Darian Kinnard. You know Kentucky is going to run behind Kinnard all it can and Cox gives Kentucky another powerful blocker on that side.
— Former Frederick Douglass standout Jager Burton, one of the state’s most highly recruited players last season, was the backup right guard and offensive line coach Eric Wolford spent a lot of time with him. Once Wolford kept having Burton repeat a drill until he was doing just what the coach wanted. Offensive coordinator Liam Coen said in spring practice he thought Burton had a chance to play this year and it certainly looks that way.
— Defensive line coach Anwar Stewart is a bundle of energy and has a terrific rapport with players. During one drill he praised a defensive lineman for beating the offense. One offensive lineman told Stewart “that Canadian stuff is not allowed here. This is American football.” Stewart played in the CFL and was on Grey Cup winners.
— The two most impressive defensive linemen to me were Octavious Oxendine and Josaih Hayes, two sophomores fighting for a spot in the playing rotation. Oxendine was almost unstoppable at times and Hayes had great explosion and power. No doubt Josh Paschal and Marquan McCall are the two men in the defensive front and I continue to hear great things about senior Auble Abadi-Fitzgerald.
— Will Levis was Will Levis. The Penn State transfer showed off his rocket arm on several occasions but I also liked his demeanor with teammates before, during, and after drills. He was also constantly talking with and listening to coaches. It will be a shock if Kentucky does not complete a lot more long passes this season with him launching balls to receivers who overall might be a lot better than many believe. And if true freshman Chauncey Magwood is not in the receiver rotation it is going to stun me.
— Not sure why but running backs Kavoisey Smoke, a junior, and JuTahn McClain, a sophomore, were held out of practice, and with star Chris Rodriguez only having limited reps, it gave freshman that gave former North Hardin star La’Vell Wright some touches with the first team and he looked good.
— True freshman linebacker Trevin Wallace of Georgia was taking reps at middle linebacker with the first team. Ole Miss transfer Jacquez Jones didn’t last long in practice due to an ankle injury and that let Wallace get a lot of playing time. Same for another freshman, Martez Thrower of Georgia. Wallace and Thrower may not start but they are going to play. Write it down.
