Spring is in the air, but for Kentucky football, so are the question marks.
As the Wildcats prepare for their annual spring game on Saturday, April 12th, fans will get their first glimpse at a team full of potential—and just as much mystery. From a rebuilt offensive line to a nearly brand-new front seven on defense, Mark Stoops and company enter 2025 with more unknowns than knowns.
Offensive Line: The Foundation or the Flaw?
It’s no secret: if Kentucky wants to compete in the SEC this fall, it starts—and possibly ends—with the offensive line. After two seasons of inconsistent protection and a lackluster run game, the Wildcats’ success hinges on whether this new-look unit can finally come together.
The biggest questions?
How fast can this group gel?
Have they improved enough to protect the quarterback?
Can they open up running lanes for Kentucky’s stable of backs?
That last point becomes even more crucial if Stoops decides to steer the offense back toward the run-heavy identity of 2019. With bruisers like Dowdell, Wilcox, and Patterson, that blueprint could be back on the table—especially if the offensive line proves to be more reliable in the trenches than in recent years.
The New-Look Offense: Fast or Familiar?
Gone are Dane Key, Barion Brown, and Brock Vandagriff. In their place is a brand-new cast of characters:
Zach Calzada, the former Texas A&M and Auburn quarterback who’s looking to reignite his career.
Kendrick Law, Troy Stellato, and JJ Hester—three transfers with something to prove.
But what exactly will this offense look like under offensive coordinator Bush Hamdan his year?
Will Hamdan insert tempo into what was one of the slowest-paced offenses in the country last season? Or will Stoops lean into his old-school comfort zone—run the ball, control the clock, and rely on turnover free football?
Saturday won’t reveal everything, but it might offer a few clues.
Defense: A Front Seven in Flux
On defense, the questions start right up front—and they don’t stop.
With nearly the entire front seven gone, this spring is all about reloading and reidentifying. Who will emerge as tone-setters up front? Who replaces the production and leadership that’s now playing on Sundays or moved on?
Names will rise, but until they do, expect plenty of rotation and experimentation.
One thing is certain: Kentucky's defense has long been Stoops’ calling card. If they can find the right pieces, the back half of the unit has the experience to be solid. But without answers in the trenches, everything behind them gets harder.
Spring Game Details
Fans hoping to see these questions start to get answered will have their chance Saturday, April 12th.
Here’s what you need to know:
Location: Kroger Field
Time: 10 a.m. ET (Gates open at 9 a.m.)
Admission: Free
Format: Practice-style segments with some interactive elements; full-speed game play will be limited
Note: End zones will be closed for concert preparation; upper decks will not open
Coverage: No live stream, but SEC Network will air segments later (date TBD)
It’s not a traditional game, but it is a window into the team’s progress. And for a program full of new faces and pressing questions, that window is wide open.
Spring games aren’t about final answers. They’re about getting the first real look. For Kentucky football fans, that look can’t come soon enough. Follow us on Facebook here,