When you look at the transfer portal class that Kentucky brought in, you see a lot of really talented players. But if you look closer, you also see quite a few with major injury histories.
Both major running back additions, CJ Baxter and Jovantae Barnes, have battled significant injury issues throughout their careers. Then you move to a guy like Nic Anderson, who was tremendous as a freshman at Oklahoma but has struggled to stay healthy since.
You have to wonder what Kentucky's plan is to keep these guys on the field. The talent is undeniable, but talent doesn't matter if it's in the training room.
Head coach Will Stein has an answer for that.
Sports science will bring Kentucky to a new level
"I think it starts in our strength and conditioning program. Brandon Roberts is our strength coach. He's a guy I've known for a long time. I think that's really going to be a big difference for us going into this next season, our strength and conditioning, and pairing that with great nutrition and the training room. Just being really more aligned in that aspect of our program will be huge. We are working along with sports science to make sure these guys are at their very best."
Nutrition, training, and health management are the keys to an athlete's long-term development. Guys who do not invest in keeping their bodies in top shape do not advance to the NFL, and they certainly don't survive an SEC schedule.
Kentucky is looking to fundamentally change its philosophy on weight training, and Brandon Roberts is the man tasked with leading that revolution.
Brandon Roberts has an elite resume
Roberts comes over to be Stein's Director of Football Sports Performance, and he isn't arriving empty-handed. Having worked with powerhouses like Florida and Texas, and most recently at USF, Roberts has a wealth of knowledge that Stein is counting on to make a difference.
His credentials speak for themselves:
- "Master Strength Coach" distinction from the Collegiate Strength and Conditioning Coaches Association (CSCCA).
- SCCC certified through the CSCCA.
- NASE certified through the National Association of Speed and Explosion.
- Blood Flow Restriction (BFR) certified through Owens Recovery Science.
That last one is key. When you really get into the specifics of injury reduction and rehab, a lot of it starts with how you recover. Changing the way these players use their bodies, fuel their engines, and recover from stress could be the variable that finally helps them stay on the field.
And with the talent Kentucky has assembled, if they can just stay healthy, the Wildcats could be in for a special season.