Kentucky has filled enough holes with recruiting and the transfer portal to crack ESPN’s Way-Too-Early Top 25 Power Rankings.
The Wildcats come in at No. 24 largely due to improvements on the offensive line.
Georgia is No. 1 with Michigan just behind at No. 2. Florida State, USC and Ohio State round out the top 5. Surprisingly, Alabama is currently No. 6.
Here is an excerpt:
24. Kentucky Wildcats
Previous ranking: NR
2022 record: 7-6, 3-5 SEC
Expected returning starters: 8 offense, 6 defense, 2 special teams
Post-spring outlook: While much of the attention this spring might have been on the transfers replacing quarterback Will Levis (former NC State starter Devin Leary) and tailback Chris Rodriguez Jr. (former Vanderbilt starter Ray Davis), rebuilding a porous offensive line was a primary focus for coach Mark Stoops and new offensive coordinator Liam Coen. The Wildcats ranked 112th in the FBS in scoring (20.4 points) and 116th in total offense (324.7 yards) in 2022. Kentucky surrendered 46 sacks last season, the most by any Power 5 program. Northern Illinois transfer Marques Cox was working at left tackle and Eli Cox moved back to right guard from center. Jager Burton was working at center. Last week, the Wildcats received a commitment from USC’s Courtland Ford, who could fill a hole at right tackle.
