Kentucky football enters 2024 with a vastly underrated offense

Kentucky has turned its program around over the last few years and made itself nationally-relevant on many fronts. But, heading into the new world of the SEC, it seems to be a bit forgotten.

Kentucky is coming off of a 7-6 record in 2023 and a loss in the Gator Bowl -- its second straight loss in a bowl game. 

But, it is just two years removed from a second 10-win season in a four year span (2018, 2021). So with all of the talk about which Kentucky team will show up in 2024, there could be an underrated presence to the program -- especially offensivley.

"It's one of the most experienced offenses in America," CBS Sports radio personality Josh Pate said. "They've added Brock Vandagriff at quarterback, transfer from Georgia. Dane Key, Barion Brown, the top two receviers return here. The offensive line returns four starters with 15+ starts, they're all upperclassmen on the offensive line and they did good in the portal with wide receiver ... They've got a good 1-2 (punch) at running back. So everything I would need to believe in Mark Stoops and his offense up there, they've got."

A reason for some of the inconsistent play the last two years has been at QB. After a healthy and strong year for Will Levis in 2021, he dealt with some injuries during 2022. Then, it was Devin Leary in 2023, who just didn't move the needle for Kentucky offensively.

Now, Kentucky turns its attention to Brock Vandagriff as the signal caller. The former 5-star recruit has yet to show a lot on the college level after being a backup for the majority of his Georgia career. The Wildcats also added Rutgers transfer and four 4-star Gavin Wimsatt, who transferred to UK this spring.

The aforementioned Key led UK at wideout with 42 catches for 636 yards and six touchdowns last year while Barion Brown had 43 receptions for 539 yards and four touchdowns.

Chip Trayanum transfers in at running back from Ohio State and headlines the group in the backfield.

It's clear there are strong pieces to build around.

'Every time I mention Kentucky, people are like 'they're still going to be the same ole kentucky', like that's a bad thing," Pate said. "Kentucky has not been a bad program."

With a 73-65 overall record over his tenure at Kentucky, Mark Stoops is already the longest-tenured coach in program history. His consistentcy and elevation of the program is evident and that has led him into being one of the better coaches in the conference and country.

Can Stoops get Kentucky back to its form from a few seasons ago? Time will tell, but they have the playmakers to do so.