Kentucky’s first week of practice is in the books and coach Mark Stoops is pleased with his team’s progress.
“I thought we made some strides, offensively,” Stoops said. “Better attention to detail. It’s still early, but (we had a) good first week.”
The Wildcats had their annual media day on Friday, followed by a Fan Day event on Saturday. The two events gave the media and fans a sneak peek as the Wildcats prepare for the season opener against Toledo on Aug. 30.
“With the opportunities that we’ve had in the summer, we’ve taken good advantage of that,” Stoops said. “The guys have worked really hard, coaches have put in a lot of time. So we’re further along.”
Stoops and his staff added several newcomers through the transfer portal, giving Kentucky a roster of experienced players.
“These guys have played a lot of ball,” he said. “As I mentioned, they’ve worked really hard this summer. I feel like, on both sides of the ball and special teams, we’re further along.”
The offensive line, Stoops said, has made strides during the opening week and also during the off-season.
“We have to be physical,” he said. “We have to be able to run the football. I think we’re making big improvement. I mentioned the offensive line; it starts there. I think we’re very big and stronger. We’re working on that depth, and the backs are really good players.”
In addition to an added physicality in the trenches, Stoops likes his team’s intelligence on and off the field.
“Football IQ is so important for us, and we have to be able to keep it forward or stay ahead of it,” Stoops said. “And that’s something that we’re also doing this camp. We’re spending extra time at night just working on two-minute (situations), third down, specialty blitzes, you name it.”
On the defensive side of the ball, Stoops has been impressed in the secondary.
“I don’t want to get the cart in front of the horse there, but I feel like the secondary can be really good,” Stoops said. “I think we’ve got some experience. You can see the length that we have out there. We need to keep (them) healthy and develop some depth.”
Defensive coordinator Brad White agreed, but knows the defense must improve this season.
“Down the stretch, the last six (games), was unacceptable,” White said. “What I am concerned about is that we eliminate the big plays that we gave up last year. Until we go out on the field and we prove that we can get back to where we were, that will be sort of lingering.”
Much like Stoops, White believes the Wildcats have the right tools to be successful.
“I think this group is wired right,” White said. “I think there’s depth across the defense. I think it gives us the chance to withstand the natural attrition that happens within a football season.”
Kentucky coach Mark Stoops addresses his team during a fan day event Saturday at Kroger Field. (UK Athletics Photo)
