OFFENSE DEFENSE

Change is in the air in Lexington. At least three, and maybe five or six, new starters on offense have come to Kentucky via the portal. Quarterback Devin Leary is the most notable and provides instant credibility at the position after losing Will Levis to the NFL. Leary was injured much of last season, but he is a terrific passer, just not a threat to run. Running back Ray Davis joins the Wildcats from Vanderbilt, where he ran for more than 1,000 yards last season. Four offensive linemen transferred in, but only one is a definite starter. Tackle Marques Cox from Northern Illinois will be the left tackle. Tackle Courtland Ford from USC will likely get on the field quite a bit. The improvements to the line are paramount after allowing 47 sacks last season for 318 yards in losses. The receiving corps returns virtually intact and will be a strength of the offense.

Last season, the expectation was that the offense would carry the defense, but in reality, the opposite happened. The defense allowed just 19 points a game and was equally tough against the run and pass. The Cats were especially adept at getting off the field, allowing opponents to convert just 33.3 percent on third down. But the unit produced just 20 sacks and forced only 17 turnovers. Josaih Hayes and Keeshawn Silver (from North Carolina) should set the tone upfront. They won’t pile up sexy stats, but their push disrupts the offense at the snap. J.J. Weaver, coming off the edge, is the best player on this side of the ball. Safety Jordan Lovett and linebackers D’Eryk Jackson and Trevin Wallace are the leading returning tacklers. The secondary received a boost when corner JQ Hardaway transferred in from Cincinnati.

Special Teams

2023 Schedule

Special Teams

Newcomers

Devin Leary, QB — In four seasons at NC State, Leary completed 60.2 percent of his passes for 6,807 yards and 62 touchdowns with just 16 picks.

Ray Davis, RB — Davis stabilizes the running game.

Anthony Brown, WR — The true freshman has run an 11.2 100m and had an impressive spring showing off his ball skills.

JQ Hardaway, DB — Hardaway never cracked the lineup in his freshman year at Cincinnati, but he’s expected to be the Cats’ top cover corner.

Missouri

Columbia, MO

HEAD COACH: Eliah Drinkwitz

OC: Kirby Moore

DC: Blake Baker

2022 RECORD: 6-7 (3-5)

FOUNDED: 1839

STADIUM: Faurot Field (71,168)