The Kentucky Football receiving core is building some serious depth. One name Kentucky Fans need to know is Kayaune Ross.
Kayaune Ross is a name some Kentucky Football fans may not be as familiar with. He came to Lexington after spending time at Phoenix College in Arizona. Ross, a three star recruit out of Lakota West High School in Ohio, has had some injuries in his collegiate football career. He hasn’t had a ton of experience on the field, but the junior-to-be could really be a significant target in 2017.
Last season, Ross saw action in six games. He was sidelined with an injury midway through the 2016 season. His first reception as a Wildcat happened to be a nine-yard touchdown strike in the first game of the season.
Great wide receivers in the SEC are generally cut from the same cloth. They reek of athleticism, strength and field presence. Ross checks all three of those boxes. Standing a towering 6-foot-6 and weighing in at nearly 230 pounds, Ross looks the part of a Tight End. But, Eddie Gran and his offensive unit will need to rely on Ross in a number of ways.
Ross will be a significant target in the red zone if healthy. At his height, jum
p balls should be a given. Just put six on the board when the Wildcats are inside the 20 with Ross on the field. There was a little glimpse of this phenomenon in the Spring Game when Gunnar Hoak hit Ross for a score on a fade route.
Gunnar Hoak hits Kayaune Ross for 10-yard TD on well-thrown pass on fade pattern. MacGinnis PAT good, White on board, trailing 14-7
— Mark Story (@markcstory) April 15, 2017
Physicality, Poise, and Points
Kayaune Ross brings a lot to this Kentucky Football offense. He is currently listed as a number two wide receiver on the media guide depth chart. He sits behind Dorian Baker as a perimeter receiver. You can go ahead and write it down, Ross will be getting a TON of looks this season within 30 yards of the endzone.
In the photo below, in a tweet from defensive back Cash Gilliam, you can see that Kayaune Ross has put in some work in the weight room. (He’s the guy all the way to the right.)
https://twitter.com/Cash7teen/status/888832417066360832
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In addition to the other big names at receiver, Ross looks to pull his weight and be yet another weapon on the field for Mark Stoops. Kentucky has been missing the dominant wide receiver personality for some time. There have been speedsters like Jeff Badet and Garrett Johnson, but nothing like Ross. His frame and immediate impact will certainly be a plus on the offensive side of the football.