Kentucky football: These signees for 2021 can hopefully make immediate impact

Receiving help is on the way

A serious point of contention this season was the lack of getting the ball to our receivers or their inability to catch balls. Kentucky landed a 4-star  (Dekel Crowdus), a 3-star (Christian Lewis), and hidden gem Devonte Ross in this class with each bringing unique talents that are sorely needed.

Kentucky wide receivers accounted for just 86 catches and 771 yards which was dead last again in the SEC. Josh Ali was mostly the prime target catching 48 for 459 yards.

Enter the new guys and with a new wide-open offense look for some big upgrades in these stats.

Dekel Crowdus

The obvious huge get was Crowdus, teammate to Burton and this 4-star duo should just continue to play together on the field at Kentucky.

Crowdus is just 5′-10″ 165-pounds but is lightning fast. He caught 31 passes for 397 and 10 touchdowns. He could line up in the slot position or in the jet sweep that could help divert the attention off Rodriguez and Smoke in the backfield.

He has great hands and catches with both securing the ball something Wildcat receivers have struggled with. The touchdown below is proof of that.

Christian Lewis

Another great find was Christian Lewis from Mt. Pleasant, AL.

A multi-sport athlete that plays football, basketball, and runs track. This season he led Pleasant Grove to a 5A runner-up finish after snaring 70 receptions for 1,235 yards and 18 touchdowns. That comes off last season where he caught 75 passes for 1,398 yards and 20 touchdowns

What Lewis brings to Kentucky is height. At 6′-4″ he nearly gave up football to concentrate on the hardwood.  Thankfully he didn’t for Mark Stoops or maybe he could lend a hand if John Calipari needs someone.

Lewis grew up an Alabama fan and had over 47 college offers, but ultimately picked Kentucky to get him toward the NFL after praying hard on the choices. The hiring of Coen only helps solidify the choice.

"“They told me they were going to open it up and they kind of showed me more than telling me with the new OC coming from the Rams. With the system he had, he spreads it all around and I think that will open up the passing game more and get the ball to the playmakers.”"

Devonte Ross

We dug deep and found a diamond in the rough in Devonte Ross. The 6’0, 180-pound multi-use athlete received very little recruiting buzz and was set to sign with Marshall only to flip on signing day.

Just watching a highlight film is exciting for the playmaker he can be for UK.  This year alone at Cartersville, GA he had115 catches for 2389 yards and 29 touchdowns including 20 yards per catch. He out jumps defenders with his verticle leap and played cornerback in high school as well so he has good vision.

I think Ross will give everything he has to be on the field and that determination goes a long way in Stoops’ book.

We could line him up at slot or wide receiver and maybe a kick return threat as well.

Well here is hoping all of them turn out to be superstars for Kentucky and the stands will be full again next fall in Commonwealth Stadium.