Vince Marrow has been enjoying life on the other side of the rivalry recently. Now the General Manager at Louisville, the former Kentucky recruiting ace was seen gloating on the sideline during the Cardinals' 41-0 demolition of the Wildcats on Saturday, even taking time to tweet at Kentucky media members during the game.
But while the "Big Dawg" takes a victory lap, a disturbing allegation from his time in Lexington has surfaced, one that paints a picture of sabotage rather than support.
In a shocking video released this week, former Kentucky wide receivers Jeff Badet and Garrett "Juice" Johnson accused Marrow of explicitly threatening to ruin their professional careers.
"I'm going to do everything in my power..."
According to Badet, the incident took place in a meeting room involving himself, Johnson, and then-wide receivers coach Lamar Thomas. The message from Marrow was allegedly direct and personal.
"He looked me and Garrett in the face and said, 'I'm going to do everything in my power to make sure you guys don't play a down in the NFL,'" Badet claimed.
The threat was enough to push Badet out the door.
"Once me and Garrett walked out that room and down the hallway, I looked at Garrett and said 'Bro I gotta transfer... he is going to mess us up,'" Badet recalled.
Badet ultimately transferred to Oklahoma for his final season, looking to escape the toxic environment. Johnson remained at Kentucky. Badet would get 26 catches 400 yards and 3 TDs in his lone season in Norman.
The fallout with NFL scouts
Badet’s fears appeared to be well-founded. When he arrived at the East-West Shrine Game to showcase his talents for the next level, he was met with a narrative he didn't recognize.
"I’m talking to all the NFL scouts, every single one of them was like 'I heard you were a bad teammate, I heard you were a cancer to the locker room, I heard you can't be trustworthy,'" Badet said.
"I’m thinking, 'Who told you that? I was a captain.'"
The alleged sabotage had tangible results. Badet went undrafted, eventually playing three games for the Washington Football Team in 2020. Johnson signed with the Chicago Bears but never appeared in a regular-season game.
A bad look for Louisville's GM
If true, these allegations are a massive stain on Marrow’s reputation. As the current General Manager at Louisville, his primary mandate is talent acquisition and player development, getting guys to the league; not helping make sure it doesn't happen.
Accusations that he actively worked to blacklist his own players from the NFL could prove disastrous in the living rooms of future recruits. The "Big Dawg" may have taken a bite out of the wrong person this time.