3 rising Kentucky players pushing for more playing time

In the midst of a struggling season, opportunities arise for new players to step up and make their mark. While the loss to South Carolina was a team-wide failure, some individual performances and the struggles of others have opened the door for a depth chart shake-up.

Here are three players who are making a strong case to see their snap counts increase as the Wildcats head into the heart of their SEC schedule.

A spark in the backfield? Jason Patterson

While starter Dante Dowdell has seen his production plummet, another running back is making the most of his limited touches. Jason Patterson only had one rush for three yards and one reception for three yards against South Carolina, but his season-long efficiency tells a different story.

Patterson is averaging nearly a full yard more per carry than Dowdell for the season. Over the past two games, Dowdell has managed just 52 yards on 21 carries (2.5 YPC). That kind of inefficiency is an opportunity for Patterson. It's time to give the promising back an expanded role to see if he can provide the spark the ground game has been missing.

Time for a fresh face in the secondary: Martels Carter Jr.

The Kentucky defense has been gashed by too many chunk plays this season, and struggles on the back end are a major reason why. While Ty Bryant and Jordan Lovett have been solid tacklers, they have also been susceptible in coverage and have missed key open-field tackles.

This opens the door for Martels Carter Jr., a highly-touted four-star recruit. At some point, you have to see what the young talent can do. Carter has the athletic profile to be a difference-maker in coverage, and with the secondary needing a boost, his number could be called more frequently. Giving him valuable SEC reps now could pay huge dividends for the future.

Jerod Smith making his case on the d-line

When David Gusta transferred in from Washington State, he was expected to be a dominant force on the defensive line. So far, he has struggled to acclimate to the SEC, logging only 1 solo tackle through five games; a massive drop from the 13 he had on his own last year. And for those saying he is a nose guard, he shouldn't get more tackles than that, the run defense has also been pretty bad, so that isn't helping much either. This has created a void that Jerod Smith has been eagerly filling.

Smith has been a bright spot on the defensive front, already recording 5 solo tackles and consistently creating disruption. With the defense getting pushed around by South Carolina's rushing attack (178 yards allowed), Smith's high-energy play has earned him more time in the rotation. He is proving that he belongs on the field.

Drew Holbrook is an avid Kentucky fan who has been covering the Cats for over 10 years. In his free time he enjoys downtime with his family and Premier League soccer. You can find him on X here. Micah 7:7. #UptheAlbion