We all know why Will Stein was hired. He was hired to come in, score points, and win games.
Fans had gotten tired of "playing in the mud" because the wins stopped coming with it; only nine victories over the last two years proved that the old way wasn't working, and Mark Stoops had to go. Now, with a mostly complete roster for the 2026 season, we are breaking down the offense as a whole to see where Will Stein made an impact in the portal and where he may need players to step up.
Quarterback: Accuracy and upside reign supreme
Stein landed his guy in Kenny Minchey. The former Notre Dame product is seen as an accurate quarterback with legitimate NFL upside. That is exactly what you want in an offense that helped Bo Nix and Dillon Gabriel become Heisman finalists. Having someone able to process the field and put the ball exactly where it needs to be is the right move for Stein in Year 1.
"Extremely accurate. He's got great athleticism. I think when you talk to him, when you guys meet him, he is a phenomenal person, very smart. And I mean, we did our background on him. Everybody we talked to, even guys on that staff, felt like they still would have won 10 games with Kenny out there playing quarterback. Talked to NFL scouts on him; feel like he's got a really high upside in this game. And he's somebody that I was really excited to get."
The downside? Minchey is inexperienced at the college level, so there will likely be growing pains. To mitigate that, Kentucky built a deep room. They signed Matt Ponatoski from high school, Carson Cruver from FAU, and JacQai Long from Marshall, while retaining Brennan Ward.
"I like Brennan a lot. I'm excited about Brennan. I've got to know him more and more and just watching his tape from practice here last year and watching his high school tape—son of a coach. I mean, he can really throw the rock. He's got great intangibles, too. I think he's a natural leader, a great communicator. We had JacQai from Marshall who's played and started games. Carson Cruver from FAU, obviously Matt Ponatoski. So I think the room's competitive, which is fun. And guys that might not have a ton of experience, but I think the upside, the ceiling on these kids is really high."
Stein also isn't worried about Ponatoski being a multi-sport athlete.
"Everything that he's said to me is that he wants to be a big-time college football player. So, is it concerning? No. I mean, I'm just really grateful to have the chance to coach Matt, and I think his best years are to come in football. He's obviously an outstanding baseball player, and you know, would love to get him on the diamond here at Kentucky, too, and let's do this thing together."
Running Back: Talent vs. Durability
At running back, there is undeniable talent, but also some risk. Jovantae Barnes and CJ Baxter are the two headliners coming via the portal, but both have injury histories that might scare some fans. We detailed Stein’s specific plan to keep them healthy using sports science, which you can read here.
They also bring in Delvecchio Alston from the high school ranks and return Jason Patterson, Tovani Mizell, and James Dalrymple.
"The running back room was young and we needed to make sure that we could get the proper players in there to go tote the rock. Really love Jovantae Barnes and CJ Baxter, what they provide from a depth and leadership standpoint. Those guys have played in the SEC, played in the Big 12. So they've ran the ball in big moments. Obviously really excited about them and the rest of the guys in the room, but our backs are going to be utilized a lot in this offense. We work out of 21 personnel and different two-back, even three-back sets at times. So they'll be big. They'll be instrumental in moving forward"
Wide Receiver: Sneaky Good?
Will Stein doesn't see WR as a problem. Yes, the DeAndre Moore Jr. sweepstakes went to Colorado, meaning Kentucky didn't grab their top target. But that doesn't mean the room is empty.
Signing Nic Anderson, Xavier Daisy, Shane Carr, Ja'Kayden Ferguson, Kenny Darby, Denarius Gray, and Prince Jean. The room has a lot of bodies looking to prove they are elite.
"You know, we finished up really well in that room. I think we got some really good young players as well. But right now I feel good about our guys. It's just about staying healthy and getting these guys clued into the game plans and into our scheme over the next couple of months. But adding a guy like Nic Anderson, really good player. You know, we had multiple guys in that room, but feel good."
Tight End room increases versatility
Getting Willie Rodriguez and Mikkel Skinner back was crucial for the passing game, while returning Henry Boyer solidifies the blocking. Stein compares Skinner to one of his former Oregon weapons.
"Willie can play a lot of different spots. I think you can obviously line him up in the core, in the slot, in the backfield. He's kind of wherever you put him, that's where it looks like he fits. And Mikkel, kind of same way. Reminds me somewhat of a Kenyon Sadiq-type player that I had at Oregon, which is a really versatile athlete that we can use in a lot of different ways. Both those kids are working their tails off right now. Glad to get Willie back. That was a big gift for us, just from a culture standpoint and just from a need."
Offensive line is a total rebuild
This is the biggest overhaul on the roster. The offensive line received what amounts to a totally new unit, and that is by design. You don't win if you can't block—something Kentucky knows all too well from the last two years.
"I feel really good. That was a major, major thing. I mean the teams that win in November, December, January win the trenches. So making sure that we're solidifying that offensive line was a major piece of this puzzle. Especially with whoever's playing quarterback for us, want to make sure that they're back there, they're healthy, they are able to see the field."
Speaking specifically of new center Coleton Price (Baylor), Stein was effusive in his praise.
"He's an all-league player. He's a veteran. The guy's married, you know? So, he's very mature. He's played big-time ball. An elite communicator and really strong."
Price will be tasked with building camaraderie along a line that includes transfers Olaus Alinen, Lance Heard, Max Anderson, and Tegra Tshabola, alongside a host of returners like Aba Selm and Malachi Wood.
If the line meshes, Stein has the weapons to make this offense dangerous immediately.