2023 Season-In-Review

Record: 7-6, Loss vs. Clemson in Gator Bowl (38-35)

It was a quick start to the season for Kentucky winning its first five games. This includes a 33-14 triumph over Florida at home. The Wildcats would be humbled by Georgia before falling to Missouri and Tennessee back to back. This was part of a six-game stretch where Kentucky went 1-5. It would end the season with a win against Louisville before entering bowl season. It will be interesting to see how the Wildcats improve heading into 2024.

Offense: New-look Wildcats ready for 2024

The Wildcats went transfer-portal hunting in many ways. It began with Georgia transfer, and former five-star, Brock Vandagriff to take over as the starting quarterback. Kentucky lost both Devin Leary and running back Ray Davis to the NFL. Bush Hamdan will come to Lexington as the new offensive coordinator and have a new group to work with.

Davis might be gone but Ohio State transfer Chip Trayanum will lead the group in the backfield. Barion Brown and Dane Key return after being productive as sophomores. Now, the duo will take on extended roles on the outside. Brown finished with 43 catches for 539 yards and four touchdowns last season. Key was the team’s leading receiver with 636 yards and six touchdowns.

Left tackle Marques Cox will be back for another year but the offensive line remains a question mark as a whole. Vandagriff is expected to provide a spark under center but it all comes down to how the offensive line comes together.

Defense: Wildcats strong up front

Deone Walker returns as one of the best prospects in the SEC. He helped lead a defensive unit that allowed 113.1 yards per game on the ground, which was second in the SEC. Walker has the make up of the next great defensive lineman in the NFL due to his size and agility. For one more year, that will take the field for Kentucky.

Walker totaled 7.5 sacks last season and will be the leader up front. In the secondary, it is Maxwell Hairston and his five interceptions that will lead the way. A true shutdown corner is valuable in the SEC. Georgia transfer Jamon Dumas-Johnson will come in and be a voice right away in the middle of the defense.

There is plenty of experience returning for a Kentucky defense that had its ups and downs last season. The Wildcats have star power at all three levels and potential to improve right away.

2024 Kentucky Football Schedule

• Saturday, Aug. 31: vs. Southern Miss
• Saturday, Sept. 7: vs. South Carolina
• Saturday, Sept. 14: vs. Georgia
• Saturday, Sept. 21: vs. Ohio
• Saturday, Sept. 28: at Ole Miss
• Saturday, Oct. 12: vs. Vanderbilt
• Saturday, Oct. 19: at Florida
• Saturday, Oct. 26: vs. Auburn
• Saturday, Nov. 2: at Tennessee
• Saturday, Nov. 16: vs. Murray State
• Saturday, Nov. 23: at Texas
• Saturday, Nov. 30: vs. Louisville