Kentucky football gets major boost as a big time playmaker announces return

As the old saying goes, sometimes your best additions are just keeping the ones you already have. Kentucky got some big news tonight as TE Willie Rodriguez declared he was running it back with Kentucky under Will Stein.

Willie Rodriguez was a 3-star in-state signing for Mark Stoops and company, and quickly developed into former QB Cutter Boley's favorite target. He would finish 2025 with 23 catches for 310 yards and 1 touchdown. The big man showed some real skill after the catch; in his redshirt year, he had 5 catches for 94 yards.

Will Stein loves tight ends, he will adore Willie Rodriguez

Will Stein loves using a TE as a pass catcher. The second-leading receiver for the Oregon Ducks this year so far has been tight end Kenyon Sadiq, who has 531 yards on a team-high 46 catches. He is looked to early and often for Stein's Ducks.

Seeing that low of a total lead, a talented offensive team can be a little jarring for some fans. But you have to remember, Stein loves to spread the ball around, and the more playmakers, the better. If you are open, you are getting the ball. Doesn't matter if you are a tight end, wide receiver, or running back. Stein said he likes to feed the studs. Well, Rodriguez is definitely a stud.

Rodriguez will look to play the same role for new quarterback Kenny Minchey, Will Stein, and new offensive coordinator Joe Sloan as he did for Cutter Boley.

Speaking of Cutter Boley, he transferred to Arizona State, where he was presumed to replace Sam Leavitt as the starter. But turns out Kenny Dillingham wanted a little competition as well. He brought in Michigan's Mikey Keene, who started the previous 2 years at Fresno before backing up Bryce Underwood this year in Ann Arbor. In a move eerily reminiscent of Kentucky signing Zach Calzada before last season.

But the big news for the Cats is Rodriguez is back and in this offense he will be dangerous.