Kentucky Football, Mark Stoops should recover from 2024 with a transfer overhaul – Kentucky Kernel

Head coach Mark Stoops is building up the Kentucky Wildcats squad after a 4-8 season in 2024, which her eight-year Bowl series ended.

On February 25, Stoops emphasized a squad overhaul with 31 new players, including 20 from the transfer portal, to tackle the depth problems of the past year and increase the SEC competitiveness, starting with the quarterback position.

Zach Calzada, a senior quarters back in the sixth year (which did not play in the 2020 Covid 19 season), Kentucky competes with extensive experience from Texas A & M, Auburn and Incarnate Word, where he threw in 2024 for 3,791 yards and 35 touchdowns in 2024.

“A six -year -old guy who played a lot of football, took part in our league and was very well played when he was there … I can make a film and see a lot of repetitions,” said Stoops, confident, Calzada will anchor the offensive.

Calzadas SEC experience is expected to stabilize the quarterback room, the red shirt Freshman Cutter Boley and incoming new students Stone Saunders and Brennen was included.

“I feel very good with you [freshman QBs]. But you know and I know that I will not put all my eggs in an incoming newcomer, ”said Stoops.

The transmission portal class also transferred other positions. Stoops aimed at experienced players such as offensive lines and running backs, including Dante Dowdell from Nebraska, for their maturity and toughness.

“I have the feeling that there is more depth in every position, and I find it critical. That bit us a year ago, and that's my fault, ”he admitted, taking responsibility for past depth questions.

On the defensive side, Stoops added: “Yes, I think you know, with David [Gusta] and mi'cra [Grace]Both boys who have a great experience again and, as they know, played a lot of football and checked the box for us in terms of sport. So two really good players. You see it up there as a group and I feel like again, the depth is there. “

Transfers such as offensive Tackle Shiyazh Pete and Defensive Tackle David Gusta add depth and intensity and, on Stoops' focus on the accountability and the leadership conducted by players.

“We have determined this precedent from the start … We always want to be managed by players in the accountability on the accountability.

When spring training approaches, Stoops plans a potential spring game or an open exercise to present the squad.

“I would like to open it and show you and show you fans … whether it is a training or a spring game, but we format it, I want to do something,” he said, pressing confidence in the team's willingness.

All in all, Stoops is determined to return Kentucky to the continued success.

“I just enjoy it as much as ever … I could not be more energetic and focused and determined to get this thing back and to roll the program further as we did,” he said, pointing out the history of the program as a motivation.

With Calzada, the wildcats in the 2025 season, the wildcats squad and a lower squad.