When Does Kentucky Football Play Again

ORLANDO — Following Kentucky football's dramatic 20-17 win over Iowa in the Citrus Bowl, the Wildcat roster is in flux heading into the offseason.

A large number of players confront decisions about whether to render to Kentucky. The NFL draft, extra year of eligibility and transfer portal are all factors heading into the offseason.

The first of import decision has already been made with UK quarterback Will Levis announcing he plans to return to Kentucky for the 2022 season, just the rest of the Great britain players asked about their future in the leadup to the Citrus Bowl said they were focusing on the game before making any terminal decisions.

Citrus Bowl:Record-breaking performance from Wan'Dale Robinson leads UK to Citrus Bowl win

We practise know Kentucky'southward roster will be boosted by the highest-ranked signing class in the Mark Stoops era. UK's December form was ranked 10th nationally by Rivals.com. While that ranking may driblet some after February signees are added, it is a lock to finish equally the highest-ranked UK class in the recruiting website era.

A host of promising underclassmen including tight end Izayah Cummings, running dorsum JuTahn McClain, defensive linemen Tre'Vonn Rybka, Justin Rogers and Josaih Hayes, linebackers Trevin Wallace and D'Eryk Jackson should stride into larger roles next season alongside preseason All-SEC candidates Levis, exterior linebacker J.J. Weaver, offensive baby-sit Eli Cox, but but in the era of free transfers no return tin be assumed until the 2022 roster is released.

Hither is a closer expect at what nosotros know virtually the stay-or-go decisions expected to exist appear in the coming weeks.

Wan'Dale Robinson and other NFL typhoon decisions

Even with Levis returning, the Wildcats could lose multiple underclassmen to the NFL draft, led by junior wide receiver Wan'Dale Robinson.

While Robinson said after the game he had non made a terminal decision almost his future and fans chanted "one more than year" as he received the MVP trophy following his seven catches for 170 yards in the Citrus Bowl, it would be a surprise to meet him return to Kentucky. Robinson bankrupt the school's tape for catches in a flavour in the regular season finale then broke the single-flavor record for receiving yards on his final catch to set upward the game-winning touchdown confronting Iowa.

Left tackle Dare Rosenthal and running back Chris Rodriguez are amid the other underclassmen who could consider entering the typhoon.

Rosenthal started all 12 games for Kentucky in the regular flavour merely did not play in the Citrus Bowl. UK did not specify if his absence was due to an injury or COVID-19 health and safety protocols.

Rodriguez was considered a likely early draft aspirant inbound the season, but multiple fumbles in key moments marred a season that saw him suspension the United kingdom record for most 100-k rushing performances. Before the season, Rodriguez said his primary goal in returning to Kentucky for 2021 was condign the first member of his family to graduate college. If Rodriguez finishes his degree this leap, that might push button him to the NFL.

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Jacquez Jones amidst seniors who could use extra year of eligibility

Thanks to the actress year of eligibility granted all players who were on rosters in 2020 due to the COVID-xix pandemic, several Kentucky seniors could return to  schoolhouse adjacent year.

The best NFL draft prospects amongst the group, similar right tackle Darian Kinnard and defensive terminate Josh Paschal, are done. Seniors Isaiah Epps, Marquez Bembry and Naasir Watkins take already entered the transfer portal, signaling they will look to employ their extra yr of eligibility elsewhere.

With the "super seniors" counting confronting the 85-man scholarship limit again side by side year, it is not every bit unproblematic for UK as assuasive anyone who wants to come back to return to campus.

Linebacker Jacquez Jones is the most likely senior to come back considering he decided not to participate in senior day festivities earlier the terminal home game, but said before the basin he was still weighing his options. At that place was some promise that nose baby-sit Marquan McCall might return later on missing function of the season with an injury, just he recently accepted an invitation to the East-West Shrine Basin, an all-star game for senior NFL draft prospects.

Kentucky football roster:Who UK is losing and adding through the transfer portal during offseason

Defensive lineman Abule Abadi-Fitzgerald, offensive guard Austin Dotson, linebacker DeAndre Foursquare, broad receiver Clevan Thomas, outside linebacker Hashemite kingdom of jordan Wright and defensive backs Tyrell Agian, Yusuf Aspersion and Cedrick Dort are the scholarship seniors who could return to United kingdom.

Foursquare said after the Citrus Basin he would meet with his family before making a determination.

Kentucky'southward 2021 roster included 9 super seniors who saw their college careers end with the Citrus Basin: wide receiver Josh Ali, middle Luke Fortner, kicking returner Zach Johnson, cornerback Quandre Mosely, nickelback Davonte Robinson, tight end Justin Rigg, kicker Matt Ruffolo, punter Colin Goodfellow and walk-on inside linebacker William Nalty.

More outgoing transfers expected in coming months

Kentucky already experienced its beginning wave of outgoing transfers after the end of the regular season but more departures are expected in the beginning full offseason with the NCAA'southward one-time complimentary transfer rule.

Since the end of the regular season, Bembry, Epps and Watkins have been joined in the transfer portal by inside linebacker Jared Casey, running back Torrance Davis, defensive lineman Isaiah Gibson, exterior linebacker Yard.D. McDaniel, offensive tackle Jake Pope, quarterback Nik Scalzo and running back Travis Tisdale. None of those players were expected to fill up starting roles in 2022.

There could be some other wave of transfers subsequently the conclusion of bowl games but nigh of the players still on the roster could stick with the team through spring practice to evaluate where they stand up on the 2022 depth chart before the bulk of the highest-ranked signing course of the Stoops era arrives on campus. While most outgoing transfers will come from players searching for more snaps, Kentucky's coaches will have to exist cognizant of the take chances some of its better players look for featured roles at higher profile programs.

United kingdom of great britain and northern ireland football game recruiting:V-star Louisville native Kiyaunta Goodwin sticks with Uk over Michigan St.

Stoops has been clear in recent weeks he will give each role player a frank assessment of where they stand in the 2022 roster plans to assistance them make the best decision.

"Sometimes now in this new world nosotros are in, it'south common," Stoops said earlier the Citrus Bowl. "You have hard conversations with guys. Yous give them the reality of what the situation is, and they brand choices. ... All the guys take worked extremely difficult and we want to help them land on their feet with a new opportunity."

Early enrollees get head start on 2022 form

While nigh of the focus in the coming weeks volition be on outgoing players, early this month United kingdom's roster will receive its showtime reinforcements.

Seven loftier school seniors who signed with Kentucky in December are planning to enroll for the spring semester: four-star offensive lineman Grant Bingham, three-star defensive end Tomiwa Durojaiye, 5-star offensive tackle Kiyaunta Goodwin, three-star defensive lineman Quentel Jones, four-star wide receiver Dane Key, three-star cornerback Elijah Reed and four-star cornerback Andre Stewart. They will be joined past junior-higher cornerback transfer Zah Frazier, Virginia Tech wide receiver transfer Tayvion Robinson and Auburn offensive guard transfer Tashawn Manning.

The transfers can all exist expected to compete for starting jobs this spring, but Goodwin, Key, Reed and Stewart also arrive at positions of need with considerable recruiting hype.

Kentucky might not sign anymore high school prospects in the February period, but look the staff to pursue multiple transfers, specifically at the edge rusher positions.

Email Jon Hale at jahale@courier-journal.com ; Follow him on Twitter at @JonHale_CJ .

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Source: https://www.courier-journal.com/story/sports/college/kentucky/2022/01/01/kentucky-football-roster-draft-transfer-extra-year-choice-breakdown/8966179002/

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