August 28, 2024 • 24 mins
Jeremy Jarmon talks with Logan Stenberg to preview the upcoming football season and the guys share some favorite memories from their playing days.
Presented by District 7 Social.
Presented by District 7 Social.
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:06):
Welcome into Behind Kentucky Football, presented by District seven Social.
On this edition of the podcast, Jimmy Jarmy will be
talking to Logan Stendard to members of the count Down
to Kickoff crew, talk about the upcoming season and share
some of their favorite memories from their plan days. As
I mentioned, this podcast is presented by District seven Social.
(00:26):
Go to District Sevensocial dot com to find more information.
That's District the number seven Social dot com.
Speaker 2 (00:33):
Well, you've done a lot of football camps over the
course of your life. Now that you're on the side
of this, you know as im media person, when you
look back on your time as a high school, collegiate
and professional athlete, what is the purpose of fall camp.
Speaker 3 (00:46):
The purpose is just.
Speaker 4 (00:47):
For guys like Bush and Mark to go in and
put the puzzle together. They got the pieces all in
one place, all at one time. They've recruited, they spent
all off season building up up muscles and endurance, and
now it's time to go out in the field, mesh
them together, see where everybody fits, figure out, oh we
(01:09):
can run this, Oh we probably don't need to run that,
and kind of figure out who your guys are.
Speaker 2 (01:14):
So when you talk about like team cohesion Marcus talked
about in the past. How you know with the new
transfer portal, you know some of the roster turnovers thirty
to fifty guys just depending on the team and just
the year. Do you how do you think you build
the team cohesion in sorts of short time period. Do
you think that that's done over the course of the
(01:36):
semester or things that they can do during the offseason
as well as Paul Camp, What are your thoughts on that?
Speaker 4 (01:42):
Yeah, I mean personally, I think they're going to be
constantly building throughout the season. The way the college space
is now with the NIL and the transfer portal and
all of that, it's turning into the NFL. And that's
what we do in the NFL is we are learning
how to be with each other every day, day in,
day out, and transfer that over on Sunday and put
(02:03):
a good product together to where we can go and
win some games. So I think it's an ongoing situation.
I don't think there's any one point in time, especially
like in camp right now, where it's like, you know
what these guys are are one. I think it's just
a process and that's something that's going to be juggled
throughout the season.
Speaker 2 (02:18):
Kentucky opens up this season with Southern Miss. Your team
faced Southern Miss. I believe when you were a true freshman,
Is that right?
Speaker 4 (02:28):
Resher freshman? Yeah?
Speaker 2 (02:30):
What do you remember from going into that week? And
what do you remember just about you know about that game?
Obviously got an undesirable outcome there, But what did you
take away from from that Southern Miss game?
Speaker 4 (02:45):
I just took away that this is college football, doesn't
matter any given Saturday, any team can win. So you've
got to go in and you've got to play like
you're playing a Georgia or an Alabama, Ohio State, Michigan.
You have to treat every week the same. It doesn't
matter what in front of their jersey says, because the
back still means something to that player. They're still playing
(03:05):
for that name and for their pride and for their family.
And so a lot of times, these smaller Division One
schools were the ones that play the hardest. Let's be honest,
they go up there, they've got chip on their shoulder.
I hate throwing around. You know, this is their super Bowl,
but this is a big game for them. This is
how they want to start their season. If they can
(03:25):
knock off an SEC opponent, that's what they want to do.
Speaker 2 (03:29):
Brush Hunton, new offensive coordinator, comes in from Boise State.
We know that he wants to possess the football uneath
the clock. He's alluded to a two quarterback system potentially
this fall. And when I say two quarterback system, I
don't mean rotating one guy coming in with the other.
Speaker 3 (03:45):
But specifically packages, you.
Speaker 2 (03:47):
Know, maybe that we see, you know, in the red zone,
maybe we see it when we're backed up or short
yarded situations. That's to me when you get out online
and you look at some of the messages that's kind
of been met with some eye rolls from some fans.
What are your experiences with utilizing two quarterbacks on Saturday?
(04:08):
What is your message for the fan base with those
reports coming out of UK football camp that Gavin Wims
said is potentially going to get some snaps at quarterback
this fall.
Speaker 4 (04:20):
Yeah, I hate the mantra if you have two quarterbacks
you don't have one, you know. I think that there's
a time and place for everybody. And if we can
run the wildcat and get a little more speed on
the edge and still have a threat downfield, I don't
see why not. You know, that's what they're doing right now,
is they're putting that puzzle together. And I'm with Bush.
I want to possess the ball. You know, it may
be boring games for some fans, but I want to
(04:42):
run the ball thirty forty times. I want to get
four to five of carry. I mean, you know, on
the other side of the line, how demoralizing that is
when a team is just getting four four four. Oh
guess what, we're gonna run it again. There's five, you
know what I mean. And so it's that's what I want.
I want to eat the clock. I want to win
by twenty one and time of possession of twenty minutes
(05:02):
or more.
Speaker 2 (05:03):
In two thousand and eight, Mike Hartline was our quarterback
and we had this young freshman that a lot of
people know that name now random cop who came in
and some of those short yarded situations to provide that
sparked those fourth quarter situations when teams were tired, exhausted defenses.
And now you've got a guy coming in, fresh legs
(05:23):
at the quarterback position, fresh arm, fresh energy, and it
was awesome watching him as a freshman come in I'll
never forget the Arkansas game. We're down fourteen in the
fourth quarter, there's eight eight and a half minutes left
in the game, and Random comes in and just sparks
the offense immediately is responsible for a couple, you know,
(05:44):
sparking those few late drives and we ultimately beat Arkansas,
beat Arkansas late.
Speaker 3 (05:49):
But I'm with you.
Speaker 2 (05:51):
The two quarterback system, it doesn't scare me. I think
it's advantageous, especially if it's not forced. If you have
a guy that can come in in in these short
yard of situations, that gives you an extra blocker. As
you know, you probably didn't need the extra blocker, you know,
your big, bigger, the.
Speaker 3 (06:10):
Big Mala that you were, but you.
Speaker 2 (06:14):
Yeah, you got this extra guy that's working up on
the linebacker. So if if the reports are true that
Gavin wims It is one of our best ball carriers
and we're able to get an extra extra player in,
our extra extra blocker in that could potentially help spark
this offense right.
Speaker 4 (06:31):
As you know, I mean, it's hard to game plan
for an offense, hard to game plan for one quarterback
depending on these dull threat or not much less too,
So it's going to put these guys in a bind.
You know, what tacks do you want on the field?
Do you want to play sub, do you want to
play bass? What do you want to do? Because you're
going to have an open man, you know what I mean,
There's going to be somebody open and we're going to
(06:51):
be able to find that guy. Especially with two quarterbacks,
it's going to put them in a buying Now. I
think if we can go and utilize that in a
good way, that's the advantageous for us. It's going to
be a great year.
Speaker 2 (07:02):
What message does it send to the offensive line in
the offense as a whole, because, in my opinion, he's
not Bush is not putting this out for the fans.
Speaker 3 (07:11):
He really doesn't care what their feedback is.
Speaker 2 (07:14):
What is the message that he's sending to the offensive
line into the offensive unit going into the season that
there's an expectation that we're going to see multiple quarterbacks.
Speaker 4 (07:25):
The way I take it as a former offensive lineman,
it doesn't matter who we put back there, We're going
to get yards. Help Bush to go back there and
run the ball, and we're still going to get for it.
You know what I mean. That's confidence. You want from
your offense coordinator and head coach when you're blocking your
tail off every Saturday. You know, we did it with
Lynn Bowden. You know, nobody everybody thought the season was
over when you know we got a quarterback that's hurt.
(07:45):
We're throwing a sly receiver in at quarterback and guess what,
we had a great year. So you know, put it
on the offensive lineman. That's where we got some veterans
up front, and Eli Cox and Jagger and all of them,
the great bookings on the on the edges. Now, I
think we put it up on the big guys up front.
Let's see what they can do.
Speaker 2 (08:03):
Let's go back a little bit. You mentioned Lynn and
that that's really interesting. Do you remember when when Drew
Barker went down and Stephen Johnson came in?
Speaker 3 (08:12):
You know, yeah, what what was that like?
Speaker 2 (08:14):
What was that transition like from a morale standpoint or
preparation standpoint, however you want to, you know, consider it.
Speaker 4 (08:22):
At that point. You know, some plays in the playbook
get thrown out and all of a sudden it turns
into there's an athlete back there. Let's stick to the
things we know how to do. But you know, let's
make them look pretty. So let's put somebody in motion,
Let's have a jet sweep. Let's take it this way,
take it that way, but let's keep it simple. And
I think Bush is going to do that this year.
And I don't think Mont to throw any plays out.
(08:43):
And that's the point where you know we're already getting
ready for it this year. And I mean worst case scenario,
we don't want to think about it. But there is
an injury back there. We still have a guy who
has a lot of snaps under his belt and experience.
I mean, both guys are transfers coming in, has played
a lot of football, played a lot of football at
a high level. I don't think there's anything to be
worried about.
Speaker 2 (09:03):
This team returning a lot of starters in my opinion
that you know, we've got a chance to get out
the practice there. Looks like there's a lot of star
power on this team. Reminds me a lot of some
of the teams that you were on, where this team
could have approaching maybe double digit and the number of
pros on the roster. What excites you, I guess the
(09:24):
most about about this team.
Speaker 4 (09:28):
Yeah, I've got a boring answer for you with that too.
I just want to see boring football. I don't want
you know, I mean I want a six yard pass
down the sideline too, But I want everybody working together.
Controlling the clock, running is one. I don't want any
ms out there. I don't want to snap over ahead
or you know, a miss block, missed id or oh man,
(09:49):
we fumbled the handoff. You know. I think we're going
to see a lot of sound football this year and
it's going to pay off well for us.
Speaker 2 (09:55):
Yeah, I noticed that you didn't say I don't want
to see a holding.
Speaker 3 (09:58):
I don't want to see a you know, legal hands
to the face all.
Speaker 5 (10:02):
What is There's a lot of things that you left
out that can generate.
Speaker 4 (10:06):
So I've had some. I've had yellow flags around this house.
I made sure not to put any in the in
the camera.
Speaker 3 (10:17):
That's funny, man.
Speaker 2 (10:19):
What's one of your favorite memories from your time in Lexington.
Speaker 3 (10:24):
Particularly with with with football.
Speaker 4 (10:27):
Yeah, man, just going down to the swamp. You know,
Coach Farman was there still with us. You know, everybody
had already counted us out. We go in, we controlled
that game, we get to win, and we snapped the street.
What was it thirty one years at that point, you know,
running on that field. Oh man, it was awesome rent
on that field. And then as you know, the plane
(10:48):
right after, everybody's parady.
Speaker 3 (10:50):
Man.
Speaker 4 (10:50):
You can't sit still after that. So it was just
it was a good four or five hours of just
living that.
Speaker 2 (10:57):
I'm a adrenaline rush, you know. That's probably my favorite. Yeah,
that's awesome, man. I think I think that that one
that is etched and and and everybody's in everybody's mind.
Speaker 3 (11:07):
That was a huge one.
Speaker 2 (11:08):
Getting over to humph When in high school did you
know that you would play in college?
Speaker 3 (11:14):
When did you know that you were good enough?
Speaker 4 (11:17):
Really going into my junior years when I kind of
figured out I had a gross spurt. I played good
football prior, but then when I had the body to
back it up, it was like, oh, you know I
can do this. And then it's funny, you ad offered
me as my first offer going into my junior year,
and I was like, I'll go play at U. A. B.
Speaker 3 (11:35):
That's a good school.
Speaker 4 (11:36):
It's close to home, and a little did I know,
you know, more would come and I would have more
options than that, But uh, it was really just kind
of that that time for me. And it's funny because
in college it was not the same. You know, going
into my redshirt junior year was when I realized, oh,
I could play at the next level as well.
Speaker 3 (11:53):
It doesn't manage you realize that. When did you realize that? What?
What game?
Speaker 2 (11:58):
What practice? What set of plays? Was it that that
where you realize, Man, I can play at the next level.
But but I got potential, Like I belong in this
league and I'm an elite offensive lineman.
Speaker 4 (12:13):
Yeah. I mean I remember distinctively playing Javon Kinlow in
South Carolina. You know, Colombia is a crazy place. You've
got sandstorm going and the towels are waving, and really
just walked up to Vaughn for a full sixty minutes
and I just remember walking off that field thinking, Wow,
he's one of the best, you know, defensive tackle, outside linebacker,
(12:34):
whatever you want to call him in the game right now.
And I had a good game against him, And that
was kind of the turning point for me where I,
you know, finally started believing in myself.
Speaker 2 (12:43):
Do you remember kind of the thought process going into
that game, Like I can think back on college knowing that, Okay,
we're playing Arkansas this week they got Heisman front runner.
Speaker 3 (12:53):
We're playing this team this week.
Speaker 2 (12:54):
Like, was your preparation, Like, obviously your preparation for everybody
body is good, but do you feel like your preparation
going in when you're getting ready to play against one
of the elite guys in the SEC?
Speaker 3 (13:06):
Do you feel like it was any different going into
that week?
Speaker 4 (13:10):
I didn't get Yeah. I did my best to block
it out, you know what I mean. I wanted to
go into every week preparing the same like we alluded
to earlier with Southern Myths, you know what I mean.
I wanted to prepare for Sewn Myss like I was
preparing for whoever, you know, Javon Kinlong. But I stayed
off of social media, stayed away from the he says
she said, and really just tried to focus on myself
(13:32):
because I truly believe guys can psyche themselves out going
into games. If they're thinking, oh, this guy's bigger than life,
and you line up against them, you're already beat Now.
Other guys they handle it much better than I can.
Some guys that get them going, you know, like, oh,
I'm gonna have the game of my life today playing
against whoever. He's got all the media on him, he's
got all the accolades, But for me, I just tried
(13:54):
to stay even kill.
Speaker 2 (13:56):
What message do you have for this group as they
get ready to wrap up up, wrap up fall camp?
You able to speak to this offensive line directly coming
off one.
Speaker 3 (14:06):
Of the better.
Speaker 2 (14:09):
I shouldn't even say better, one of the best performances
by a running back in school history and Ray Davis,
I mean just absolutely all purpose in between the tackles,
but also receive and catching the ball outside of the backfield.
Speaker 3 (14:23):
What message do you have for this offensive line this season?
Speaker 4 (14:26):
Just be the same guy every day, go out there,
be the best you can be and kick ass.
Speaker 3 (14:31):
Man.
Speaker 4 (14:31):
I want some wins. I want some pancakes. I want
to run the ball. I want them to work as
one though. I mean, at the end of the day,
that's really what I want. I would rather have five
guys that go in the fifth round than one first rounder,
and a lot of fans will probably hate that, but
I want good guys that are working together and or
just know what they're supposed to do on the right
(14:52):
guy and just are working for one goal.
Speaker 2 (14:54):
In some of the years past, Mark Stoops at this
time has had already come out and and really spoke
about what he liked about his team this year. He
seems to be kind of taking that Lynn Boden approach
just just just come see about it. I think he's
been very slow to kind of you know, you know,
put a lot of plays out on this team.
Speaker 3 (15:18):
Is there something to read into that?
Speaker 2 (15:19):
Do you think Mark is just cautious or do you
think that this is just him kind of playing Corey
that he really likes this football team.
Speaker 4 (15:27):
I think he's just comfortable. Man. He doesn't need to
play with the media now. He knows he's he's loved
here in Lexington, He's been successful. I think he's just
focused on the team and the job at hand. I mean,
I wouldn't read anything into it. I think he's just
ready for the season to start.
Speaker 3 (15:42):
Man.
Speaker 4 (15:43):
I'm yeah, I have all the faith in the world
in him.
Speaker 2 (15:47):
When you look at some of the successful teams, your
team's being, you know, being in that mix. Now we're
in this expanded playoff era. This team seems to have
a lot of talent on both sides of the ball.
All is the playoffs that is that on deck for
this team?
Speaker 3 (16:04):
Is that on the.
Speaker 4 (16:05):
Table always is well, you mean any getting Saturday, man,
I think you know we'll go back to twenty fourteen.
Why not us? You know what I mean, Let's let's
go out there and show the world. And I don't
think it's even show the world anymore, you know what
I mean, We've kind of stamped our place in the
SEC is a force to be reckoned with. Uh. People
(16:26):
aren't just coming into Kroger Field taking this lightly anymore.
So I think we just need to go out there
and do our job.
Speaker 2 (16:33):
What are you looking forward to the most being being
joining the countdown the kickoff team. You're gonna have opportunity
to speak to the fan base, be a part of that,
be part of that build up before we hand it
over to Tom Leech and Dick Gabriel, Jeff Ercoro.
Speaker 3 (16:47):
What are you looking most forward to about that? On
game day? Logan?
Speaker 4 (16:52):
Selfishly, I'm just excited for the atmosphere.
Speaker 3 (16:54):
Man.
Speaker 4 (16:54):
I think it's gonna be a good way to spend
the tailgate, you know what I mean. Let's go out there,
let's talk some ball, let's chop it up for a
little bit, and then I mean, more importantly, just being
connected with the fans. As a football player prior to
the NIL, it was hard to feel connected to fans,
and I see this as a way to really kind
of insert my way into that and I'm excited for
(17:16):
them too.
Speaker 3 (17:18):
Good deal.
Speaker 5 (17:19):
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Speaker 4 (17:46):
What are you most excited for this season? Man?
Speaker 3 (17:48):
Yet?
Speaker 4 (17:48):
Any high points? Week points? What do we need to
look out for with this this team?
Speaker 2 (17:53):
There's a lot of things. Man, that's such a loaded question,
Like this is you know this is this is like me.
This is me waking up on Christmas morning trying to
figure out what, you know, what toy I'm going to
play with first? And I think that there's a there's
a lot to unpackage here. I'm super excited about this
wide receiver corps. When you look at coach Schortz coming
(18:14):
in from Houston. I've seen the wide receivers behind the scenes.
Their route running has approved, their catching has improved. As
crazy as it sounds, the explosion, their get offs, the
guys look like they're improvising more. It just it just
looks so fluid, and I'm excited about that. I'm excited
(18:38):
for Brock as he transitions into Lexington. I see the
weapons that he has to be able to throw the
football too. And then when you look at the offensive line,
these guys are older. Marcus Cox, to me, he looks stronger,
he looks more flexible there at the left tackle position.
Watching him battle against Dion Walker daily, that is as
(19:01):
exciting as it gets. I need slow, I need slow
more of that, you know, just a thirty minute program
to sit back and just watch these dudes battling, battling
it out.
Speaker 3 (19:11):
And you know, I'm a big believer in iron sharpens iron.
Speaker 2 (19:13):
Proverb, so there's a lot of there's a lot of
sharpening going on when you talk about uh the I
think the level of pride that some of these guys
have had the opportunity to get down to sec media
days where they put us last. I think that discount,
you know, to me. It's hard for me as a
fan that's a fan of me, it's hard for me
(19:35):
not to take that as take that as shade, but
just to see I think the hunger and the passion
of not only stud but the guys that he took
d Jack left tackle, Marcus Cox, and also Dion Walker.
I just think these guys they just epitomize this team.
They're just uh, they're just they all have a different
(19:55):
story to tell. When you look at Marcus transferring, you know,
into the SEC, He's a guy to me that he
knows that he belongs. Now you look at d Jack,
he's a guy that just kind of flies under the weather.
He's a quiet assassin. I just like the personas that
are on this team. There's a lot of different personas,
guys with different stars, you know, two star, three star,
(20:16):
five star, And that's what excites me.
Speaker 3 (20:20):
Man.
Speaker 2 (20:20):
Just watching these guys each and one of their their
individual journeys. I just think it's uh. I just think
it's good stuff.
Speaker 3 (20:27):
It really is.
Speaker 4 (20:29):
No, I love it. Now, let me put you on
the hotsie. You kind of avoided it. What are you
not so excited about what the Achilles heel this year?
Speaker 3 (20:36):
I think.
Speaker 2 (20:37):
I think when you lose a player like Andrew Phillips
on defense, a guy who at the corner position, he
was a lot down at the slide, he could compete
with anybody there. Last season for us, he did both.
You see him on the outside where he didn't have
a lot of experience, he embraced it. Then you see
him bump in and just trying to see how good
(21:00):
we're going to be there. Obviously, when you replace a
guy that's a you know, that's a draft pick, you know,
and had the experience that he had, that's that's you know,
that's tough. But the reports that we're seeing in camp
seems like Brad White he's been very pleased with the
progress that he's seeing there and shuffle guys around. Looks
(21:21):
like he's excited about being able to use guys like
Afari and float him around insideline backer. Also safety. When
you when you have guys that you that are jokers
like that, that are that are wild cards where you
can plug them in different places and it all looks
the same, it's hard for offensive coordinators to kind of
know what you're doing because you got a guy that's
(21:42):
so versatile that you can keep him in on a rundown,
but you can also keep him in on third and
meetium and thirty lungs as well.
Speaker 3 (21:49):
So I like that Brad is excited about those things.
Speaker 2 (21:52):
That lets me know that he's in the he's in
the kitchen, and that you know, he's he's cheffing and
whipping some stuff up to move some guys around.
Speaker 4 (22:00):
That's what I was fixing say, Brad White is just
an evil chemist.
Speaker 3 (22:02):
Man, He's just in there.
Speaker 4 (22:04):
He's just throwing things together. Oh wow, big explosion. Perfect,
let's put that on the field. So I'm with you.
I think that's gonna be fun. Well, so what year
is this for you? For BBN gamed Is this year
seven eight?
Speaker 3 (22:16):
I think it's year seven. Man.
Speaker 2 (22:18):
We'll have to we'll have to ask ask them for confirmation.
But yeah, I think it's the Big seven. And you
know seven is a lucky number. So with that number, yeah,
it's a lucky number. I'm not saying because but you know,
you start throwing out numbers like that, seven eleven, and
I think I think this team, man, I think that
the strengths when you look at when you look at
(22:38):
that D line, brother, that D line, you know, you
talk about what excites me, I think that that group
can push the pocket.
Speaker 3 (22:47):
I'm just going to be curious to see.
Speaker 2 (22:51):
To see if I got JJ Weaver, how big of
a step that he took, if he's ready when these
big boys are pushing that pocket. Just want to see
him screaming over the top with dudes like you that
you know at those tackle positions and getting to the football.
Speaker 4 (23:06):
Yeah, I've got no worries for JJ. Whatsoever? That do
you find is the least of my worries. If I
had to put a high point, I think that's going
to be pretty good this year. So I'm excited. I
see a lot of stacks, a lot of pocket presence,
and a lot of bad throws. Hopefully they put the
ball out in the air and we get a couple
of picks. Man, it'd be fun.
Speaker 2 (23:25):
It will be Logan. I appreciate you jumping on man.
Looking forward to our coverage. We'll count down to kickoff
this year. Behind the Kentucky Football Podcast be being Game
Day B being tonight so be Thu. Everybody you tune in,
you check out the package of the package of content
that we have.
Speaker 3 (23:44):
We're gonna keep it coming.
Speaker 2 (23:45):
We're gonna keep it steady and keep it consistent for
you this fall, Goquettes.
Speaker 5 (23:50):
If you want to see more coverage like this, find
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Behind Kentucky Football
Welcome into Behind Kentucky Football, presented by District seven Social.
On this edition of the podcast, Jimmy Jarmy will be
talking to Logan Stendard to members of the count Down
to Kickoff crew, talk about the upcoming season and share
some of their favorite memories from their plan days. As
I mentioned, this podcast is presented by District seven Social.
(00:26):
Go to District Sevensocial dot com to find more information.
That's District the number seven Social dot com.
Speaker 2 (00:33):
Well, you've done a lot of football camps over the
course of your life. Now that you're on the side
of this, you know as im media person, when you
look back on your time as a high school, collegiate
and professional athlete, what is the purpose of fall camp.
Speaker 3 (00:46):
The purpose is just.
Speaker 4 (00:47):
For guys like Bush and Mark to go in and
put the puzzle together. They got the pieces all in
one place, all at one time. They've recruited, they spent
all off season building up up muscles and endurance, and
now it's time to go out in the field, mesh
them together, see where everybody fits, figure out, oh we
(01:09):
can run this, Oh we probably don't need to run that,
and kind of figure out who your guys are.
Speaker 2 (01:14):
So when you talk about like team cohesion Marcus talked
about in the past. How you know with the new
transfer portal, you know some of the roster turnovers thirty
to fifty guys just depending on the team and just
the year. Do you how do you think you build
the team cohesion in sorts of short time period. Do
you think that that's done over the course of the
(01:36):
semester or things that they can do during the offseason
as well as Paul Camp, What are your thoughts on that?
Speaker 4 (01:42):
Yeah, I mean personally, I think they're going to be
constantly building throughout the season. The way the college space
is now with the NIL and the transfer portal and
all of that, it's turning into the NFL. And that's
what we do in the NFL is we are learning
how to be with each other every day, day in,
day out, and transfer that over on Sunday and put
(02:03):
a good product together to where we can go and
win some games. So I think it's an ongoing situation.
I don't think there's any one point in time, especially
like in camp right now, where it's like, you know
what these guys are are one. I think it's just
a process and that's something that's going to be juggled
throughout the season.
Speaker 2 (02:18):
Kentucky opens up this season with Southern Miss. Your team
faced Southern Miss. I believe when you were a true freshman,
Is that right?
Speaker 4 (02:28):
Resher freshman? Yeah?
Speaker 2 (02:30):
What do you remember from going into that week? And
what do you remember just about you know about that game?
Obviously got an undesirable outcome there, But what did you
take away from from that Southern Miss game?
Speaker 4 (02:45):
I just took away that this is college football, doesn't
matter any given Saturday, any team can win. So you've
got to go in and you've got to play like
you're playing a Georgia or an Alabama, Ohio State, Michigan.
You have to treat every week the same. It doesn't
matter what in front of their jersey says, because the
back still means something to that player. They're still playing
(03:05):
for that name and for their pride and for their family.
And so a lot of times, these smaller Division One
schools were the ones that play the hardest. Let's be honest,
they go up there, they've got chip on their shoulder.
I hate throwing around. You know, this is their super Bowl,
but this is a big game for them. This is
how they want to start their season. If they can
(03:25):
knock off an SEC opponent, that's what they want to do.
Speaker 2 (03:29):
Brush Hunton, new offensive coordinator, comes in from Boise State.
We know that he wants to possess the football uneath
the clock. He's alluded to a two quarterback system potentially
this fall. And when I say two quarterback system, I
don't mean rotating one guy coming in with the other.
Speaker 3 (03:45):
But specifically packages, you.
Speaker 2 (03:47):
Know, maybe that we see, you know, in the red zone,
maybe we see it when we're backed up or short
yarded situations. That's to me when you get out online
and you look at some of the messages that's kind
of been met with some eye rolls from some fans.
What are your experiences with utilizing two quarterbacks on Saturday?
(04:08):
What is your message for the fan base with those
reports coming out of UK football camp that Gavin Wims
said is potentially going to get some snaps at quarterback
this fall.
Speaker 4 (04:20):
Yeah, I hate the mantra if you have two quarterbacks
you don't have one, you know. I think that there's
a time and place for everybody. And if we can
run the wildcat and get a little more speed on
the edge and still have a threat downfield, I don't
see why not. You know, that's what they're doing right now,
is they're putting that puzzle together. And I'm with Bush.
I want to possess the ball. You know, it may
be boring games for some fans, but I want to
(04:42):
run the ball thirty forty times. I want to get
four to five of carry. I mean, you know, on
the other side of the line, how demoralizing that is
when a team is just getting four four four. Oh
guess what, we're gonna run it again. There's five, you
know what I mean. And so it's that's what I want.
I want to eat the clock. I want to win
by twenty one and time of possession of twenty minutes
(05:02):
or more.
Speaker 2 (05:03):
In two thousand and eight, Mike Hartline was our quarterback
and we had this young freshman that a lot of
people know that name now random cop who came in
and some of those short yarded situations to provide that
sparked those fourth quarter situations when teams were tired, exhausted defenses.
And now you've got a guy coming in, fresh legs
(05:23):
at the quarterback position, fresh arm, fresh energy, and it
was awesome watching him as a freshman come in I'll
never forget the Arkansas game. We're down fourteen in the
fourth quarter, there's eight eight and a half minutes left
in the game, and Random comes in and just sparks
the offense immediately is responsible for a couple, you know,
(05:44):
sparking those few late drives and we ultimately beat Arkansas,
beat Arkansas late.
Speaker 3 (05:49):
But I'm with you.
Speaker 2 (05:51):
The two quarterback system, it doesn't scare me. I think
it's advantageous, especially if it's not forced. If you have
a guy that can come in in in these short
yard of situations, that gives you an extra blocker. As
you know, you probably didn't need the extra blocker, you know,
your big, bigger, the.
Speaker 3 (06:10):
Big Mala that you were, but you.
Speaker 2 (06:14):
Yeah, you got this extra guy that's working up on
the linebacker. So if if the reports are true that
Gavin wims It is one of our best ball carriers
and we're able to get an extra extra player in,
our extra extra blocker in that could potentially help spark
this offense right.
Speaker 4 (06:31):
As you know, I mean, it's hard to game plan
for an offense, hard to game plan for one quarterback
depending on these dull threat or not much less too,
So it's going to put these guys in a bind.
You know, what tacks do you want on the field?
Do you want to play sub, do you want to
play bass? What do you want to do? Because you're
going to have an open man, you know what I mean,
There's going to be somebody open and we're going to
(06:51):
be able to find that guy. Especially with two quarterbacks,
it's going to put them in a buying Now. I
think if we can go and utilize that in a
good way, that's the advantageous for us. It's going to
be a great year.
Speaker 2 (07:02):
What message does it send to the offensive line in
the offense as a whole, because, in my opinion, he's
not Bush is not putting this out for the fans.
Speaker 3 (07:11):
He really doesn't care what their feedback is.
Speaker 2 (07:14):
What is the message that he's sending to the offensive
line into the offensive unit going into the season that
there's an expectation that we're going to see multiple quarterbacks.
Speaker 4 (07:25):
The way I take it as a former offensive lineman,
it doesn't matter who we put back there, We're going
to get yards. Help Bush to go back there and
run the ball, and we're still going to get for it.
You know what I mean. That's confidence. You want from
your offense coordinator and head coach when you're blocking your
tail off every Saturday. You know, we did it with
Lynn Bowden. You know, nobody everybody thought the season was
over when you know we got a quarterback that's hurt.
(07:45):
We're throwing a sly receiver in at quarterback and guess what,
we had a great year. So you know, put it
on the offensive lineman. That's where we got some veterans
up front, and Eli Cox and Jagger and all of them,
the great bookings on the on the edges. Now, I
think we put it up on the big guys up front.
Let's see what they can do.
Speaker 2 (08:03):
Let's go back a little bit. You mentioned Lynn and
that that's really interesting. Do you remember when when Drew
Barker went down and Stephen Johnson came in?
Speaker 3 (08:12):
You know, yeah, what what was that like?
Speaker 2 (08:14):
What was that transition like from a morale standpoint or
preparation standpoint, however you want to, you know, consider it.
Speaker 4 (08:22):
At that point. You know, some plays in the playbook
get thrown out and all of a sudden it turns
into there's an athlete back there. Let's stick to the
things we know how to do. But you know, let's
make them look pretty. So let's put somebody in motion,
Let's have a jet sweep. Let's take it this way,
take it that way, but let's keep it simple. And
I think Bush is going to do that this year.
And I don't think Mont to throw any plays out.
(08:43):
And that's the point where you know we're already getting
ready for it this year. And I mean worst case scenario,
we don't want to think about it. But there is
an injury back there. We still have a guy who
has a lot of snaps under his belt and experience.
I mean, both guys are transfers coming in, has played
a lot of football, played a lot of football at
a high level. I don't think there's anything to be
worried about.
Speaker 2 (09:03):
This team returning a lot of starters in my opinion
that you know, we've got a chance to get out
the practice there. Looks like there's a lot of star
power on this team. Reminds me a lot of some
of the teams that you were on, where this team
could have approaching maybe double digit and the number of
pros on the roster. What excites you, I guess the
(09:24):
most about about this team.
Speaker 4 (09:28):
Yeah, I've got a boring answer for you with that too.
I just want to see boring football. I don't want
you know, I mean I want a six yard pass
down the sideline too, But I want everybody working together.
Controlling the clock, running is one. I don't want any
ms out there. I don't want to snap over ahead
or you know, a miss block, missed id or oh man,
(09:49):
we fumbled the handoff. You know. I think we're going
to see a lot of sound football this year and
it's going to pay off well for us.
Speaker 2 (09:55):
Yeah, I noticed that you didn't say I don't want
to see a holding.
Speaker 3 (09:58):
I don't want to see a you know, legal hands
to the face all.
Speaker 5 (10:02):
What is There's a lot of things that you left
out that can generate.
Speaker 4 (10:06):
So I've had some. I've had yellow flags around this house.
I made sure not to put any in the in
the camera.
Speaker 3 (10:17):
That's funny, man.
Speaker 2 (10:19):
What's one of your favorite memories from your time in Lexington.
Speaker 3 (10:24):
Particularly with with with football.
Speaker 4 (10:27):
Yeah, man, just going down to the swamp. You know,
Coach Farman was there still with us. You know, everybody
had already counted us out. We go in, we controlled
that game, we get to win, and we snapped the street.
What was it thirty one years at that point, you know,
running on that field. Oh man, it was awesome rent
on that field. And then as you know, the plane
(10:48):
right after, everybody's parady.
Speaker 3 (10:50):
Man.
Speaker 4 (10:50):
You can't sit still after that. So it was just
it was a good four or five hours of just
living that.
Speaker 2 (10:57):
I'm a adrenaline rush, you know. That's probably my favorite. Yeah,
that's awesome, man. I think I think that that one
that is etched and and and everybody's in everybody's mind.
Speaker 3 (11:07):
That was a huge one.
Speaker 2 (11:08):
Getting over to humph When in high school did you
know that you would play in college?
Speaker 3 (11:14):
When did you know that you were good enough?
Speaker 4 (11:17):
Really going into my junior years when I kind of
figured out I had a gross spurt. I played good
football prior, but then when I had the body to
back it up, it was like, oh, you know I
can do this. And then it's funny, you ad offered
me as my first offer going into my junior year,
and I was like, I'll go play at U. A. B.
Speaker 3 (11:35):
That's a good school.
Speaker 4 (11:36):
It's close to home, and a little did I know,
you know, more would come and I would have more
options than that, But uh, it was really just kind
of that that time for me. And it's funny because
in college it was not the same. You know, going
into my redshirt junior year was when I realized, oh,
I could play at the next level as well.
Speaker 3 (11:53):
It doesn't manage you realize that. When did you realize that? What?
What game?
Speaker 2 (11:58):
What practice? What set of plays? Was it that that
where you realize, Man, I can play at the next level.
But but I got potential, Like I belong in this
league and I'm an elite offensive lineman.
Speaker 4 (12:13):
Yeah. I mean I remember distinctively playing Javon Kinlow in
South Carolina. You know, Colombia is a crazy place. You've
got sandstorm going and the towels are waving, and really
just walked up to Vaughn for a full sixty minutes
and I just remember walking off that field thinking, Wow,
he's one of the best, you know, defensive tackle, outside linebacker,
(12:34):
whatever you want to call him in the game right now.
And I had a good game against him, And that
was kind of the turning point for me where I,
you know, finally started believing in myself.
Speaker 2 (12:43):
Do you remember kind of the thought process going into
that game, Like I can think back on college knowing that, Okay,
we're playing Arkansas this week they got Heisman front runner.
Speaker 3 (12:53):
We're playing this team this week.
Speaker 2 (12:54):
Like, was your preparation, Like, obviously your preparation for everybody
body is good, but do you feel like your preparation
going in when you're getting ready to play against one
of the elite guys in the SEC?
Speaker 3 (13:06):
Do you feel like it was any different going into
that week?
Speaker 4 (13:10):
I didn't get Yeah. I did my best to block
it out, you know what I mean. I wanted to
go into every week preparing the same like we alluded
to earlier with Southern Myths, you know what I mean.
I wanted to prepare for Sewn Myss like I was
preparing for whoever, you know, Javon Kinlong. But I stayed
off of social media, stayed away from the he says
she said, and really just tried to focus on myself
(13:32):
because I truly believe guys can psyche themselves out going
into games. If they're thinking, oh, this guy's bigger than life,
and you line up against them, you're already beat Now.
Other guys they handle it much better than I can.
Some guys that get them going, you know, like, oh,
I'm gonna have the game of my life today playing
against whoever. He's got all the media on him, he's
got all the accolades, But for me, I just tried
(13:54):
to stay even kill.
Speaker 2 (13:56):
What message do you have for this group as they
get ready to wrap up up, wrap up fall camp?
You able to speak to this offensive line directly coming
off one.
Speaker 3 (14:06):
Of the better.
Speaker 2 (14:09):
I shouldn't even say better, one of the best performances
by a running back in school history and Ray Davis,
I mean just absolutely all purpose in between the tackles,
but also receive and catching the ball outside of the backfield.
Speaker 3 (14:23):
What message do you have for this offensive line this season?
Speaker 4 (14:26):
Just be the same guy every day, go out there,
be the best you can be and kick ass.
Speaker 3 (14:31):
Man.
Speaker 4 (14:31):
I want some wins. I want some pancakes. I want
to run the ball. I want them to work as
one though. I mean, at the end of the day,
that's really what I want. I would rather have five
guys that go in the fifth round than one first rounder,
and a lot of fans will probably hate that, but
I want good guys that are working together and or
just know what they're supposed to do on the right
(14:52):
guy and just are working for one goal.
Speaker 2 (14:54):
In some of the years past, Mark Stoops at this
time has had already come out and and really spoke
about what he liked about his team this year. He
seems to be kind of taking that Lynn Boden approach
just just just come see about it. I think he's
been very slow to kind of you know, you know,
put a lot of plays out on this team.
Speaker 3 (15:18):
Is there something to read into that?
Speaker 2 (15:19):
Do you think Mark is just cautious or do you
think that this is just him kind of playing Corey
that he really likes this football team.
Speaker 4 (15:27):
I think he's just comfortable. Man. He doesn't need to
play with the media now. He knows he's he's loved
here in Lexington, He's been successful. I think he's just
focused on the team and the job at hand. I mean,
I wouldn't read anything into it. I think he's just
ready for the season to start.
Speaker 3 (15:42):
Man.
Speaker 4 (15:43):
I'm yeah, I have all the faith in the world
in him.
Speaker 2 (15:47):
When you look at some of the successful teams, your
team's being, you know, being in that mix. Now we're
in this expanded playoff era. This team seems to have
a lot of talent on both sides of the ball.
All is the playoffs that is that on deck for
this team?
Speaker 3 (16:04):
Is that on the.
Speaker 4 (16:05):
Table always is well, you mean any getting Saturday, man,
I think you know we'll go back to twenty fourteen.
Why not us? You know what I mean, Let's let's
go out there and show the world. And I don't
think it's even show the world anymore, you know what
I mean, We've kind of stamped our place in the
SEC is a force to be reckoned with. Uh. People
(16:26):
aren't just coming into Kroger Field taking this lightly anymore.
So I think we just need to go out there
and do our job.
Speaker 2 (16:33):
What are you looking forward to the most being being
joining the countdown the kickoff team. You're gonna have opportunity
to speak to the fan base, be a part of that,
be part of that build up before we hand it
over to Tom Leech and Dick Gabriel, Jeff Ercoro.
Speaker 3 (16:47):
What are you looking most forward to about that? On
game day? Logan?
Speaker 4 (16:52):
Selfishly, I'm just excited for the atmosphere.
Speaker 3 (16:54):
Man.
Speaker 4 (16:54):
I think it's gonna be a good way to spend
the tailgate, you know what I mean. Let's go out there,
let's talk some ball, let's chop it up for a
little bit, and then I mean, more importantly, just being
connected with the fans. As a football player prior to
the NIL, it was hard to feel connected to fans,
and I see this as a way to really kind
of insert my way into that and I'm excited for
(17:16):
them too.
Speaker 3 (17:18):
Good deal.
Speaker 5 (17:19):
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Speaker 4 (17:46):
What are you most excited for this season? Man?
Speaker 3 (17:48):
Yet?
Speaker 4 (17:48):
Any high points? Week points? What do we need to
look out for with this this team?
Speaker 2 (17:53):
There's a lot of things. Man, that's such a loaded question,
Like this is you know this is this is like me.
This is me waking up on Christmas morning trying to
figure out what, you know, what toy I'm going to
play with first? And I think that there's a there's
a lot to unpackage here. I'm super excited about this
wide receiver corps. When you look at coach Schortz coming
(18:14):
in from Houston. I've seen the wide receivers behind the scenes.
Their route running has approved, their catching has improved. As
crazy as it sounds, the explosion, their get offs, the
guys look like they're improvising more. It just it just
looks so fluid, and I'm excited about that. I'm excited
(18:38):
for Brock as he transitions into Lexington. I see the
weapons that he has to be able to throw the
football too. And then when you look at the offensive line,
these guys are older. Marcus Cox, to me, he looks stronger,
he looks more flexible there at the left tackle position.
Watching him battle against Dion Walker daily, that is as
(19:01):
exciting as it gets. I need slow, I need slow
more of that, you know, just a thirty minute program
to sit back and just watch these dudes battling, battling
it out.
Speaker 3 (19:11):
And you know, I'm a big believer in iron sharpens iron.
Speaker 2 (19:13):
Proverb, so there's a lot of there's a lot of
sharpening going on when you talk about uh the I
think the level of pride that some of these guys
have had the opportunity to get down to sec media
days where they put us last. I think that discount,
you know, to me. It's hard for me as a
fan that's a fan of me, it's hard for me
(19:35):
not to take that as take that as shade, but
just to see I think the hunger and the passion
of not only stud but the guys that he took
d Jack left tackle, Marcus Cox, and also Dion Walker.
I just think these guys they just epitomize this team.
They're just uh, they're just they all have a different
(19:55):
story to tell. When you look at Marcus transferring, you know,
into the SEC, He's a guy to me that he
knows that he belongs. Now you look at d Jack,
he's a guy that just kind of flies under the weather.
He's a quiet assassin. I just like the personas that
are on this team. There's a lot of different personas,
guys with different stars, you know, two star, three star,
(20:16):
five star, And that's what excites me.
Speaker 3 (20:20):
Man.
Speaker 2 (20:20):
Just watching these guys each and one of their their
individual journeys. I just think it's uh. I just think
it's good stuff.
Speaker 3 (20:27):
It really is.
Speaker 4 (20:29):
No, I love it. Now, let me put you on
the hotsie. You kind of avoided it. What are you
not so excited about what the Achilles heel this year?
Speaker 3 (20:36):
I think.
Speaker 2 (20:37):
I think when you lose a player like Andrew Phillips
on defense, a guy who at the corner position, he
was a lot down at the slide, he could compete
with anybody there. Last season for us, he did both.
You see him on the outside where he didn't have
a lot of experience, he embraced it. Then you see
him bump in and just trying to see how good
(21:00):
we're going to be there. Obviously, when you replace a
guy that's a you know, that's a draft pick, you know,
and had the experience that he had, that's that's you know,
that's tough. But the reports that we're seeing in camp
seems like Brad White he's been very pleased with the
progress that he's seeing there and shuffle guys around. Looks
(21:21):
like he's excited about being able to use guys like
Afari and float him around insideline backer. Also safety. When
you when you have guys that you that are jokers
like that, that are that are wild cards where you
can plug them in different places and it all looks
the same, it's hard for offensive coordinators to kind of
know what you're doing because you got a guy that's
(21:42):
so versatile that you can keep him in on a rundown,
but you can also keep him in on third and
meetium and thirty lungs as well.
Speaker 3 (21:49):
So I like that Brad is excited about those things.
Speaker 2 (21:52):
That lets me know that he's in the he's in
the kitchen, and that you know, he's he's cheffing and
whipping some stuff up to move some guys around.
Speaker 4 (22:00):
That's what I was fixing say, Brad White is just
an evil chemist.
Speaker 3 (22:02):
Man, He's just in there.
Speaker 4 (22:04):
He's just throwing things together. Oh wow, big explosion. Perfect,
let's put that on the field. So I'm with you.
I think that's gonna be fun. Well, so what year
is this for you? For BBN gamed Is this year
seven eight?
Speaker 3 (22:16):
I think it's year seven. Man.
Speaker 2 (22:18):
We'll have to we'll have to ask ask them for confirmation.
But yeah, I think it's the Big seven. And you
know seven is a lucky number. So with that number, yeah,
it's a lucky number. I'm not saying because but you know,
you start throwing out numbers like that, seven eleven, and
I think I think this team, man, I think that
the strengths when you look at when you look at
(22:38):
that D line, brother, that D line, you know, you
talk about what excites me, I think that that group
can push the pocket.
Speaker 3 (22:47):
I'm just going to be curious to see.
Speaker 2 (22:51):
To see if I got JJ Weaver, how big of
a step that he took, if he's ready when these
big boys are pushing that pocket. Just want to see
him screaming over the top with dudes like you that
you know at those tackle positions and getting to the football.
Speaker 4 (23:06):
Yeah, I've got no worries for JJ. Whatsoever? That do
you find is the least of my worries. If I
had to put a high point, I think that's going
to be pretty good this year. So I'm excited. I
see a lot of stacks, a lot of pocket presence,
and a lot of bad throws. Hopefully they put the
ball out in the air and we get a couple
of picks. Man, it'd be fun.
Speaker 2 (23:25):
It will be Logan. I appreciate you jumping on man.
Looking forward to our coverage. We'll count down to kickoff
this year. Behind the Kentucky Football Podcast be being Game
Day B being tonight so be Thu. Everybody you tune in,
you check out the package of the package of content
that we have.
Speaker 3 (23:44):
We're gonna keep it coming.
Speaker 2 (23:45):
We're gonna keep it steady and keep it consistent for
you this fall, Goquettes.
Speaker 5 (23:50):
If you want to see more coverage like this, find
the UK Sports Network on social media. We're on Facebook, x,
Instagram and TikTok. Thank you so much for listening to
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Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com
The Breakfast Club
The World's Most Dangerous Morning Show, The Breakfast Club, With DJ Envy, Jess Hilarious, And Charlamagne Tha God!