Chris Low of ESPN rarely talks about the Kentucky Football program in his SEC blog, but he hasn’t really had any reason to until now.
Mark Stoops has taken the state by storm and with over 42,000 Spring game tickets distributed it seems the BBN is in full support of the football program.
Low sounds impressed with Stoops’ start at Kentucky.
But the mere fact that so many people are planning to show up this weekend for a spring football game — without a hoops scrimmage taking place at halftime — tells you that Stoops is off to a promising start.
Obviously, Stoops has a defensive pedigree, and it’s worth noting that the Wildcats have a chance to be pretty good up front defensively this coming season. That’s always a good place to start in this league.
Junior college newcomer Za’Darius Smith will be a key at end. Stoops and defensive coordinator D.J. Eliot recruited Smith when they were at Florida State, and he’s been impressive this spring. Alvin “Bud” Dupree has settled in at the other end spot and was one of the more underrated players in the league last season with 12.5 tackles for loss.
Seniors Mister Cobble and Donte Rumph return at tackle, although Rumph had his spring cut short after injuring his shoulder and undergoing surgery.
