Kentucky coach Mark Stoops isn’t worried about his team’s maturity level entering his fifth season at the helm and thinks the Wildcats are ready to take the next step up on the ladder of success.
Coming off a 7-6 campaign and an appearance in the TaxSlayer Bowl, it’s easy to see why Stoops is so high on his much-more mature Wildcats.
Kentucky running back Benny Snell and the Wildcats are stressing ball control and protection during fall camp. The Wildcats open the season on Sept. 2 at Southern Mississippi. (Keith Taylor/Kentucky Today)
Maybe it’s because the Wildcats got off to an earlier start with the elimination of two-a-day workouts this season, giving the team more time to study and expand knowledge of the team’s expanding playbook. Maybe it’s due to a talent upgrade and the caliber of player Stoops and his staff are seeking on the recruiting trail. Several freshmen appear primed and ready to burst onto the collegiate scene and Stoops isn’t afraid to introduce them to the rest of the Southeastern Conference.
Whatever the case may be, the Wildcats are ahead of the game when compared to Stoops’ first four teams at the school. From a maturity standpoint, there’s a wide gap from his first season to the fifth one. The upgrade in talent has resulted in a more productive camp for the players and coaches, an encouraging sign for the upcoming season.
“I feel like we’re much further ahead in our maturity level,” Stoops said. “This team has been a lot of fun to coach. I don’t know if it’s different with the structure of it. This is the first time we’ve gone through this structure of training camp without the two-a-days. Starting earlier with the day off and all that. I don’t know if that has all to do with it or if the team is just more mature or we’re just further along or the continuity of our staff, but it’s been an enjoyable camp.”
As with any team, the productive camp hasn’t been without a few worries. The Wildcats lost senior offensive lineman Cole Mosier to a season-ending knee injury last week, while veteran receiver Dorian Baker, also a senior, injured his ankle during a scrimmage Saturday. Starting quarterback Stephen Johnson was limited in workouts last week, but was productive in an intra-squad scrimmage last weekend.
In the past, the Wildcats couldn’t have survived a depth chart shakeup this late in camp, but because of a significant talent upgrade, the team’s underclassmen are ready to step up and fill the void, especially this year’s freshman class.
The newcomers are not only talented, but are willing to listen and eager to contribute immediately. Football is a priority and the entire squad is paying more attention to the little things order to produce bigger results on the field. They not only play football, they love the game.
“The guys have really taken to the coaching,” Stoops said. “I think it’s very important to them. I feel like we’re further ahead with the details.”
The other coaches also have noticed a difference on the field and in the locker room.
“I really think we’ve got a group of kids that it’s really important to,” Kentucky defensive coordinator Matt House said. “I’m sure coach talks about this, but every year every team is different. I feel like in that locker room it’s important.”
The Wildcats have indeed made strides during the past 60 months, but Stoops isn’t satisfied and is willing to do whatever it takes to succeed. He also knows more improvement is needed to keep climbing the proverbial ladder. Having a talented freshman class helps elevate the team’s expectations this season.
“I’m very comfortable and happy with this team, with their mentality,” Stoops said. “We’re not 100 percent there. We’re not. I don’t know if anybody ever is. But we’re striving to be that way. I really feel good with our team, but I love this freshmen group. I think they’re instinctual, they’re ball players, they love playing, they’re here all the time. They’ve been impressive.”
They’re also mature for their age, a sign the Wildcats have reached the next level on the recruiting trail.
Keith Taylor is sports editor for Kentucky Today. Reach him at Keith.taylor@kentuckytoday and twitter @keithtaylor21.
