The Kentucky Wildcats football program was bad this last season. One win in the SEC and the rest against cupcake schools will do that. How bad was it? The player many think will win the Heisman later today, Ashton Jeanty, was better offensively in two of the most important stats than Kentucky was as a team. Let's rephrase that: Ashton Jeanty had a better offensive year than the entire Wildcats team. Wow.
Running backs are judged by two primary statistics: rushing yards and touchdowns. They can mix in receiving and other things, but those are the first stats you look at when grading a running back. Jeanty has more rush yards than a ton of programs. That has a lot to say about Jeanty, for he even rushed for more than the number one overall seed Oregon did as a team.
Kentucky, of course, was one of those teams he rushed more than. Which is fine, considering, what's frustrating is that he scored more touchdowns than Kentucky did as a team. There is a way smaller pool of schools for this stat; only 16 programs. Unlike the first list, they are all programs that stunk this season. Many of which have fired their head coach.
He's also scored more touchdowns than some schools 😳 pic.twitter.com/PbgJiTS9uP
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) December 13, 2024
Kentucky is in rebuild mode, according to head coach Mark Stoops. In year 13 of his tenure, which is not good to say, since his buyout is $44 million, he's not going anywhere without it being on his own. What makes it worse and probably even more frustrating for Stoops is that any years of success Stoops had was via the rushing game. Therefore, to be featured on both of these two lists is maddening, to say the least.
Hats off to Ashton Jeanty, who had a career year. It's one of the best rushing single-season performances we've seen in a long time. He may be the guy that hoists the Heisman trophy by the end of the day. They will announce the winner tonight.