2025-08-08 - LEACH REPORT

Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
This podcast of The Leech Report is presented by Boone's
Butcher Shop in Barnestown at one hundred Old Bloomfield Pike,
family owned and operated since nineteen forty six, with fresh
meat cut on site daily. Boons Butcher Shop. Hello, they're
welcome in and we've made it to Friday. Here on
the Leech Report, presented by Bobcat Enterprises and glad you

(00:25):
are with us. To wrap up a week of UK
sports conversation. Today, we're gonna talk Kentucky basketball the first
half with Jack Pilgrim from on three Sports KSRRY. Then
in the second half my football broadcast partner Jeff Piccoro
will join me for some thoughts on Kentucky football as
we get to the Wildcat. News of the Day presented
by Jiuseppies of Lexington. News came yesterday after we were

(00:50):
off the air, with Andrea Yellovich posting on social media
that he expects to be in Lexington within a couple
of weeks. That would mean here for the start of classes.
So it's what the plan or hope was all along.
So that's good to hear. Now he'll have some catching
up to do. But you're talking about a very skilled

(01:13):
player who's been playing at a high level league in Europe,
so I think he'll be able to process things pretty
quickly and then his talent will take him as far
as it takes him, because it is going to be
a battle for minutes this season and really interesting to
see how that eventually plays out. But talking about a

(01:33):
guy that's twenty one years old, six' eleven seven two,
wingspan has the ability to handle the ball and shoot,
threes so certainly sounds like a perfect fit for the
Way Mark pope's teams will. Play and that was good
to hear that all is well with his situation and

(01:55):
that he's missed the eight weeks of the summer. Practice
they finished up yesterday with, those so now the players
have a bit of a break as classes are getting
ready to, start and then they will resume practice In
september and then just go from there and the season

(02:16):
will obviously ramp up in Late october with the exhibition games. Football,
yesterday it was the interview, day the media day for
the defensive side of the. Ball defensive Coordinator Brad white
did a LENGTHY q AND a talked about some of
the things that he's seeing says the consistency's been. Good

(02:38):
he talked up the inside linebacker play With Alex, Afari
david And, raider which is good to hear because that
is a situation Where alex played a good bit last,
season but The raider has just been a spot. Player
they also had praised For land And watson that transfer
From marshall who started out AT. Tcu he's a bigger,
guy six gives them a little more size if they need.

(03:01):
That but he said That watson And godfrey have been
doing a solid job Behind afari And. Raider that inside.
Spot Antoine smith's the guy that is getting a lot of,
buzz so IS Dj waller at. Cornerback Coach white yesterday
talked about the positives of having two big long corners

(03:25):
In dj AND Jq hardaway on the other, side But
waller has been, Playing i'm, told as well as anybody
they have on the defensive side of the ball in
the lead up to the start of the. Season tomorrow
is a scrimmage for The, wildcats first of two of
those that they will, have and we'll talk To Jeff

(03:46):
pikoro when he joins us a little later about what
the significance of that scrimmage could. Be Khalil saunders was
one of the players who did the media session. Yesterday
khalil's been here a while now and a lot of
talk about being more physical this season. Defensively kentucky's run
defense really slipped in the second half of the, season
And Khalil saunders talked about that.

Speaker 2 (04:08):
Yesterday, oh working on that now by being, physical you,
know being the most Dominant atlanta, scrimmage going hard in
the weight, room get, bigger faster and. Stronger is that.

Speaker 3 (04:19):
Do you think been a big kind of program emphasis
for you all to get back to being thirty against the.

Speaker 2 (04:24):
Run, Definitely who've been priding ourself on, that But kentucky
has prided itself on that for a while now and
we're just working on getting back to. That Coach white said,
today we've got to be the old rugged truck to
keep going hard and keep going over and able to outwork. Teams,
yeah last year wasn't us and that this year coming
up that we can turn it around being more physical

(04:46):
and finished games and outplay our.

Speaker 1 (04:48):
Opponents Khalil saunders. There it's the opening segment of Wild Cat,
news presented By Just steppees Of lexington and they're located
On Nicklausville, road just past Mantle War, boulevard and they
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(05:09):
it was so popular to sit there and Have Dave
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then you add that. Ambiance they're just a really special
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There go to open table today and pick your slot
to get To giuseppes sometime before football season ramps, up
and then plot in a Few giuseppes trips as the season.

(05:31):
Unfolds we're gonna get to a break come. Back Jack
pilgrim will join. Us it is The Leads Report Radio
network and we are presented By Bobcat. Enterprises it is
The Leads report coming to you from The Clark's Pumping shop. Studio,
return refresh and refuel At clark's and make sure you
get signed up for Their loyalty rewards program so you

(05:51):
get discounts when you are in there to. Refuel Jack
pilgrim joins us now from on Three SPORTS ksr and
A Little anxiety alleviated FOR bbn, Yesterday, jack with the
story that you were working on About Andrea yealovich posting
on his social media that he should be In lexington
within a couple of weeks for the start of. Classes

(06:12):
after all the way back To Ennis cannon After Big. Z, Uh,
YEAH i think there's a LITTLE ptsd there For kentucky basketball,
Fans but there was never it sounded it seemed like
any concern from Coach pope and his staff that this
was gonna work out. Fine and it has looks, Like,
YEAH i think it's what we.

Speaker 3 (06:32):
Live, in The BIG z trauma and The Enis canter.
Trauma AND i think fans just automatically put two and
two together and say international kid flight. Delay all nothing
could go. Worse it's gonna, be you, know some type
of hiccup that's gonna either you, know make him be
deplayed ineligible or you, Know january, return whatever it. Is

(06:53):
but now this is not the, Case. Yellovich the plan
has always been for him, to you, know come. ALONG
i think just the only hiccup was you, know transcripts
coming in a little bit. Later HIS i, mean his
his academic year didn't end until Late, june AND i
think there was just kind of this assumption that he'd
be able to come over a little bit more quickly
than you know that ended, up you, know coming To

(07:17):
fruition and you, know Early july and once they kind
of hate up a certain, point they were, like, well you,
know now he can't even come over and practice with,
us so, hey there's no reason to rush him, over
and you, know have him get here right when everybody
else is. Leaving SO i think everybody is on the
same page internally that, hey we're excited for this. Kid
he's excited to be. Here there's no concern whatsoever about you,

(07:38):
know eligibility or transcripts or anything that we dealt with
With canter Or Big zie or. Anything yellowitch will be
here for the start of the fall semester and he
will be playing for The kentucky.

Speaker 1 (07:48):
WODCAST i told a friend of mine and was asking
about If i'd seen any, practices AND i, said, YEAH
i kind of confirmed WHAT i, thought which, is if
you took yourself and you, know fifteen other media people
into a practice and you watch The, wildcats you got
a consensus of who you'd rank number. One if you're

(08:08):
ranking the, players and it'd Be otega after. THAT i
don't think you get much consensus on you, know who's, two, three,
four et cetera from one person to the. Next and
so now you add another guy to that mix who's
very highly Regarded european, prospect big, guy, versatile stretch, four
maybe can certainly a Market pope system could play some.

(08:29):
Five so how do you See yellowich fitting into this
battle for?

Speaker 3 (08:33):
Minutes, yeah, HONESTLY i think we have a nice little
kind of just measuring stick kind of expectation of What
Andrew carr was last. Year the role he, played the
shot opportunities he, got the high BASKETBALL, iq kind of
the you, know veteran savvy approach that he had that
kind of made him so valuable in what Made Mark

(08:54):
pope love imagine that in international. Form that's kind of
the vision that they have with. Him he's just believably
skilled and savvy and you, know kind of plays beyond his.
Age you, know obviously there's going to be an adjustment,
period and you know that that's that if there's one
thing that we, were you, know wish that he could
have gotten over here a little bit early to to you,

(09:14):
know get, acclimated get used to his, teammates those sorts of. Things,
yes that would be kind of the one thing that
we're missing out. On but everything else in terms of
who he is as a, player and you, know the
skill set and all those, things AND i just look
at you, know kind of a if we a healthy
version Of Andrew, carr maybe a better shot making version
Of indercar without the you, Know i'm a senior leader

(09:37):
kind of approach to him as. Well so that's the
hope and the plan for. Him and, YEAH i do
think that there is a chance that he can be
among you, know one Of kentucky's better. Players LIKE i,
Agree i've heard similar things that It's otega and then
kind of the next tier is you, know it depends
on the. Day if It's Modia, bata if It's Denzel,
aberdeen if it's you, Know Jayalen lowe's had really really strong.

(09:59):
Practices But i'd think That Andrea yellovich can kind of
fit in that next tier guys who you, KNOW i
wouldn't be shocked if he's finishing the season in the
starting lineup there at the four.

Speaker 1 (10:09):
Spot not every coach is comfortable with. This many guys
that can, play but it seems Like Mark pope is
and he's always been the guy that has played a
lot of. Players so it's just a team where there's
going to BE i don't know how many what the
number would, be eight nine that are somewhere between eighteen
and twenty eight. Minutes, YEAH i.

Speaker 3 (10:31):
Think that's going to be the plan in the vision,
there AND i Think pope just wants the you, know
extra insurance policy on top of the extra insurance policy
after dealing with what we went through last, season just
never wanting to put yourself in a position where you're.
SCRAMBLING i think he has added enough depth that two
through four spot where you, know guys capable of sliding

(10:53):
up or sliding, down where you really don't feel that
there's a single kind of hole in the, lineup enough
depth at every single position and especially talent at every
single position where he doesn't you're not going to put
yourself in a position where one guy goes. DOWN i
think the only real question mark is With Jalen, low

(11:13):
BECAUSE i do think That Denzel aberdeen is. CAPABLE i
think there are other capable ball handlers in the, system
as we saw last year you could throw A jackson and,
there you could throw A Kobe brea in there to you,
know facilitate and run The Amari williams facilitated and run
ran the. Offense but in terms of true point guard,
PLAY i do think it's kind Of Jalen low and everybody. Else,

(11:34):
so but beyond that two through, five REALLY i think
there's disguised the women in terms of depth and overall.

Speaker 1 (11:40):
Talent dad With Jack pilgrim from on three SPORTS ksr
and we'll be right back to continue the discussion here
just a moment on The Leads report presented By bob Kat.
ENTERPRISES i feel like.

Speaker 4 (11:51):
We could be one of the best defensive teams in the.
Country we have a really like long team. Everybody we
have a lot of heighth end length on our, team
and everybody's buying in like every bodies. Committing we have
people pushing full, court guarding full. Court we have people
in the backcourt in gaps and help in. Rotation SO
i feel like we have a really good chance to
be special to share.

Speaker 1 (12:09):
Defensively that Was Jaden quainton's at media session this, summer
and we're chatting With Jack pilgrim from on three SPORTS, Ksr,
well what have you heard about How quaintance's recovery from
his de injury is. Progressing, Yeah i've heard great.

Speaker 3 (12:26):
Things. MAN i think there is kind of this INTERNAL
i wouldn't even say, struggle but just kind, of you,
know making sure you're making a calculated. DECISION i think
if you were to Ask jayden, himself he would, Say
i'm going to be there and the you, know to
tip off the season with my. Teammates i'm, Ready i'm,
Hungry i'm, ambitious AND i think there are other, people
Including Mark, pope that are, going, hey, whoa let's let's you.

(12:49):
KNOW i love the. HUNGER i love the fact that
you're wanting to be out there with your guys and
you're you're you're ready to. Play but you, know this
is a we would much rather have you In, January,
february Mar, arch Hopefully april then just to say that
you were there for the you, know the season opener In.
November SO i think they're kind of some people are, saying,

(13:10):
hey let's hold off to the start OF sec. Play
some people are, saying, no if he's ready to start the, season,
let's you, know get, him roll him out. There so my,
hunch educated, guess is that we meet somewhere in the
middle and we're thinking kind of A, december you, know Mid,
december Pre, christmas like let's you, know ramp up a
little bit and then be full go for the start

(13:31):
OF sec. Play but you, KNOW i do think, that
like we talked about With BIG z and so you,
Know Enos kanter and some of those other, things we've
also had kind of the shade and SHARP ptsd with
the fan base where there's always an assumption that things
are gonna go what what can go wrong will go
wrong with these kind of gem basketball talents that you,
know are more focused on the draft on the surface

(13:52):
than they are about winning games At. Kentucky SO i
think he kind of unfairly gets lumped in with with
that and the worry about him potential not. PLAYING i
have heard absolutely nothing about. THAT i think that there
is just kind of a total consensus about this kid
really wanting to get out there and, honestly LIKE i
think he wants to prove he can be the number one.
PICK i think that there's a kind of a just

(14:13):
assumption it's going to be A javansa or a camboozer
or go down the list of the top top guys
in this upcoming draft. CLASS i think he wants to
prove on the court with The kentucky wildcast that he
belongs in that.

Speaker 1 (14:24):
Conversation at, FIRST i know you haven't seen any, practices
but to paraphrase the Al pacino character From scent of A,
woman you have heard, things you, know and just wondering
if anything you've heard that's surprised you out of.

Speaker 3 (14:38):
Practice oh, yeah it's a great. QUESTION i Think Trent
noah has done things in practice that would suggest that
she's hope is going to have a really tough time
keeping him off the. Floor apparently his catch and shoot
numbers are just. Unbelievable his body's looking, great kind of you,
know checking those boxes that they were looking, for adding

(14:59):
muscles and kind of getting you, know conditioned where he
needs to. Be AND i just always kind of flies
around to the, basketball finds himself in rebounding position and
just doing the little things where you, Go, man that
guy just contributes to, winning and we saw that In
spurts obviously this past. Season BUT i do Think trentella
has that really really strong. Summer Colin chandler got a

(15:19):
little banged, up missed a week or two with you,
know a little, something but you, know was shooting unbelievably
well before, that AND i think kind of finished on
a high note as. Well So, COLIN i think there's
a lot of confidence with him that you, know people
are just kind of assuming it's going to be A Jalen,
Low Denzel Aberdeen otega away top three in the guard.
Lineup BUT i think That Colin chandler is going to

(15:42):
make that conversation pretty tough For Mark pope and at
minimum solidifying himself, near you, know a. Topation SO i
think those two have been pretty pretty strong.

Speaker 1 (15:51):
Surprises would you think Of Rick patino's comments about the
point guard position being done in college?

Speaker 3 (15:56):
Basketball you, KNOW i think having similar conversations with some
folks around the program this time last, year you, know you,
said who's going to be the starting point? Guard this
was again before we understood just the value Of Lamont
butler and just What Kerk crease have brought to the.
Table but they were both seen as starting caliber guards
and you'd ask, like, hey you, know how's THE pg

(16:18):
one VERSUS pg two battle kind of shaken out and they're,
LIKE i think that's kind of an overrated. POINT i
think our our, job whoever is bringing the ball, up
their job is to pass it ahead as quickly as
possible and get it to somebody else and you, know
get into the offense and really not value you, know
valuing the point guard specific, role but more so just
kind of the the the value of passing and cutting

(16:41):
and doing the things that Make Mark pope's offense so.
Lethal SO i do think that there is kind of
if you were to Ask Mark pope the same thing
about you know what What Rick patino, SAID i think
he'd agree to some some, level.

Speaker 1 (16:54):
By the faster they could get up the, floor if
they if they're a better defensive team and you, know
maybe forcing some more turnovers and a better rebounding, team
although their defensive rebounding was was solid last. Year but
the the point, is the more times they're getting the
ball up the floor, faster maybe you Know stiabate doing
some plays where he grabs the rebound and just heads

(17:15):
up the floor. Himself all of those things our help
are what help gets them to thirty five three point
attempts per game that he. Wants AND i think that's
why you brought In, Mody that's why you brought In Denze.
Laborty AND i think there was just a massive emphasis
on physicality and athleticism this this. Offseason or he, said,
hey we're not going to get. Punked we're, gonna you,
know be the hammer not the. Nail and and you

(17:38):
you added some guys that are capable of doing that that,
yes you want you want to be able to Find
Jasper johnson for wide open. Threes in, transition you.

Speaker 3 (17:45):
Want to be you, know you you want to be
able to turn defense into. Offense and as we started
the segment with With Jaden, QUAINTON'S i think they got
the dudes to be able to do. That and you
know that's it's exactly What Mark pope dreamed about this this.

Speaker 1 (17:58):
Offseason jack appreciate, Time thank, you and As Jack, pilgrim
you can read them on Three sports and AT ksar
with his coverage of The wildcat basketball, program and then
also hear him on The Sunday Morning sports talk show
With Anthony white And Larry Vaulto robinson each week here
In lexington Halfway. Home on this edition of The Leitch,

(18:20):
Report we'll be ready back With Jeff picorol TALKING uk.
Football it's The Leach report presented By Bobcat. Enterprises they
have four locations here In. Kentucky so when you need
to buy or rent some heavy equipment for a, job
that's who you need to. Call google, Them they'll find

(18:42):
the location that is closest to you and do business
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Enterprises Jeff piccarel shows program sports DIRECTOR wtvq and my
broadcast partner in THE uk football. Broadcasts And, jeff it

(19:02):
is three weeks from tomorrow and this thing gets cranked
up well Against. Toledo but The wildcats have the first
of two scrimmages. Tomorrow and how significant is this first?
One do you?

Speaker 5 (19:13):
THINK i think it's really. Big the reasoning, is, look
they're only going to go as far as this offensive
line takes. THEM i really like WHAT i see for
the receiver, room really like WHAT i see for the
running back, room the quarterback. Room the offensive line to
me is still the big question. Mark AND i think

(19:33):
these guys have to get on the same. Page i'm
just whenever you're bringing a bunch of new guys, together
especially in the offensive, line it's an intricate. DANCE i
talk about this all the, time and they got to
have some. Continuity they have to, get you, know down
with what each other. Does SO i think that's the

(19:57):
biggest Thing i'm looking. For i'm really impressed with the
d defensive line and what they've been able to bring
In graces and doosta are going to be really good.
Players and then you've got the guys that are. Healthy
SO i to, me it's the guys up front on
both sides of the. Ball that's WHAT i think is
the most important part.

Speaker 1 (20:15):
Tomorrow as far the offensive, line we had our pregame
or preseason network meeting for THE Uk network And Logan
stenberg's part of our, team and on the pregame, Shows
christy and he was talking about that how those guys
just needed tons of rep leading up to the. Season
how important would be that they stayed healthy and as

(20:36):
far AS i, know they have so, far so that
they're out there day in and day out and just
getting those reps, together because you know that group has
to work five as.

Speaker 5 (20:45):
One, now you're exactly. Right and, YEAH i tell you one, thing, Though,
tom when they walk out on the field or when
they get off the, bus and we always talk about
they sure look the, part don't. They they are some
just monstrous. Guys At i'm just amazed at you. Know
AND i, AGAIN i keep thinking it wasn't that long,

(21:05):
ago but it was forty years ago THAT i. Played
but the change in the size of the players is just.
Remarkable and these guys are. Monstrous AND i did my little,
map My Tates creek, map and hopefully it's, right but
they average like six foot six and three hundred and
twenty four pounds across the front. Line that's that's that's pretty. Big.

Speaker 1 (21:27):
Yeah and As stoop said, that he thinks there are
eight guys that could. Start obviously Got, wibberly the western
transfer that can play center and the inside. POSITIONS i
would Assume Malachi, wood who played some last, season it's
one of those. Eight so if they, could you, know
be able to work in a few other guys too
and develop a little, depth would be. Wonderful it.

Speaker 5 (21:50):
Would and you, know you Mentioned malachi would and he
is the one guy That i'm just so impressed With
remember when you know we first comes to THE, uk
he had a basketball player's body because you, know he
was a really good basketball player as. Well and he's
not a basketball player. Anymore he is, monstrous six foot,

(22:13):
eight he's filled, out he's. Chiseled that's the other. Thing
there's no stomachs on these. GUYS i, mean these these
are not three hundred and twenty five and three hundred
and forty pound guys with big. Bellies they are the
nutritionists and the weight room guys That kentucky Has Mark
hillingham have done a fantastic job with these. Guys corey

(22:35):
and then Just i'm just. Amazed But malachi is one
guy that can play both. SIDES i think that's such
a big. Key Josh braun's another. One he could play
center or. Guard it's so important because if you, Know
jagger gets banged up or gets you, know gassed at a,
game you can Slide josh over and you're not losing

(22:57):
a whole. Lot bronze another. Monster it gives hundred and fifty.
Pounds he's a.

Speaker 1 (23:02):
Maller.

Speaker 5 (23:03):
Uh but, yeah the depth there is what they. Wanted
they went, out they brought the six guys in and
with the guys that they have coming back The Alba
sim's and tell them some of the guys that you talked.
About it's deep and that's that's that was the big
key That schlarman had when he built the you, know
the big blue, wall was that guys were, ALL i

(23:24):
don't want to say, interchangeable but guys could move around
and and that's what you have to. Have and they've got.

Speaker 1 (23:29):
That and Coach wolford didn't play as many guys in
his first run, here but it's possible that that may
have been because he didn't trust more than.

Speaker 5 (23:40):
Five, yeah, NO i think you're exactly. Right he, said you,
know it was we got this is what we, got
and we got to go until whatever breaks, down you,
know and this year it's not the fact that you
you know that when you're playing. It it's funny Because
logan AND i were practice the other. Day you were
there as, well and we're talking about when you Play,
georgia and he, said it's not just those eleven guys on,

(24:04):
defense it's the four or five. Series in all of a,
sudden there's another guy in front of you and he's
just as good as the next, guy and then you,
know the other guy comes back to another couple, series
and then there's another, guy and you're, like where do
they keep getting these? Guys And kentucky is getting to
that point and he, goes you, know when you're when
you're down to seventy five percent of your you, know

(24:27):
if the game wears on and you're in your sixtieth
play and they've got a guy that you, know it's
the third guy you know in the depth, chart and
he's almost as good as the first, guy and it
makes it really. Tough and that's What kentucky his is
getting at at that. Position and the defensive line as.
WELL i really like the depth there, too Tom and
when you.

Speaker 1 (24:47):
Watch because of, that because when you watch the scrimmage,
tomorrow will the best case would the best case scenario
for you to be walk away and, say, okay those
the offensive line defensive line kind of fought to a
draw because in a scrimmage like, that, yea, yeah one
side looks really, good that means the other side has some.

Speaker 5 (25:03):
Issues, yeah, YEAH i don't Want kentucky to be able
to run the ball right down the field. Tomorrow on the,
offense and then you're going, to, oh what's going to. Defense,
yeah that's what you. Want you wanted To if you
can come away zero to zero or a big play
scores a, touchdown that's. Great you don't want it lopsided
one way or the. Other it's just like in spring.
Training you know when spring training starts and you love

(25:25):
going to spring training. Games you, know pictures for the
first couple of, weeks they're so far. Ahead you, know
they're getting six eight strikeouts in their in their fore
innings of.

Speaker 3 (25:35):
Work you, know but it evens.

Speaker 5 (25:37):
Out you want to see it even out on both.

Speaker 1 (25:39):
Sides tomorrow talk With Jeff pacorro from THE Uk Radio
network AND. Wtvq we'll be right back to continue here
on The Leads report from The Clark's Pumping Shop. Studio,
return refresh and Reviewal it's The Lake's report presented By Bombcat.
Enterprise it Is Jeff pacorro on the line with us FROM,
wtvq THE Uk Football. Network is we talk about the

(26:01):
upcoming season three weeks from. Tomorrow it. Starts. Uh the
running back position is one Where Bush hampden said recently
the two transfers will lead the pack to start the.
Season That's Dante daldell From, Nebraska seth mcgallen who came
in From New Mexico. State this was Dow dell talking

(26:22):
about why he decided to come To. Kentucky he said
it was the street. Backs there you.

Speaker 6 (26:29):
Go you, KNOW i guess second a thousand Hour russias
and draft picks at running, backs you, know cause stupents
while we're, standing they see coach after saving. Left SO
i like that you mentioned the history of running.

Speaker 5 (26:40):
Backs what are what are the names you took note?

Speaker 1 (26:42):
Of who do you know that was? Here?

Speaker 6 (26:43):
Bennisnell, Right, david he just came here one, year but
he was good and then uh Christ. MARIEZ i watched
him play peresids all missed WHEN i was gaming, recruited
and Then Williams williams and stuff like.

Speaker 1 (26:56):
THAT i watched all of. Them So Dante daldelle Is
kentucky football running back. History he's looked good and there's
all kinds of good buzz about. McGowan, jeff you see
you're hearing that. TOO i, assume, yeah you, know.

Speaker 5 (27:10):
Both of those GUYS i think are what he just.
Said those four running backs are what these guys are
like And it's kind of What kentucky missed a little last.
Year Ray davis was was really good and then you,
KNOW i think there was a you, know there's been
a drop off a little. Bit but these guys are really.
Good they can run between the, tackles they've got, bursts they're,

(27:34):
strong they're, bigger stronger. Backs and then you still have
the guys from last year that are are you, know
maturing and getting bigger and better In patterson And wilcox,
Too so they've got really four guys back. There it's
a deep. Room LIKE i, said with the offensive, LINE
i think that you're gonna hear this from me a
lot this year during the, games that the depths That

(27:58):
kentucky has at at these, positions at the skill positions as,
well it's so much deeper than it ever has. BEEN
i think the running back room is going to be.
Set the receiver. ROOM i don't think you have a,
star but you're very. Deep you've got eight Guys Troy
stiletto From Clemson, HESTER i think it's just one right

(28:21):
after another that are really, good solid. Players Hardly gilmour
yesterday caught a big touchdown. Pass hester caught a big
long touchdown. Pass it's one after another out there. Receivers so,
yes you might not have the overall speed That barryon,
had you might not have that star power That dane,

(28:42):
had but you you've got a bunch of really good
guys and you've got, depth and THAT i think is
a big key. There they're they're hitting the long, ball
the quarterbacks can throw it. Deep and the strength Of
kentucky's defense, too IS i think the back four because
it's really the back seven or eight that's and they've

(29:04):
made some big plays against, them and they've had some,
plays you, know not know their way offensively because of
the defensive. Back SO i just think it's a much
more well rounded team that he's had in a.

Speaker 1 (29:15):
While at the kickoff, luncheon Bush ham to THE oc
talked Up Kendrick law and you Know macklin came on
strong at the end of the last, season so he's
a guy that's high up on that list of eight
at the wide receiver. POSITION i think after that, this
something like the scrimmage tomorrow is a big opportunity for
somebody to make a statement in that receiver room that

(29:38):
they need to get more balls turned their, way right.

Speaker 5 (29:43):
Yeah and the thing THAT i think you really have
to add the tight ends into that when you're talking about.
It Tom boyer is a big, guy but he's got
really good hands and can really. Move they have, THREE
i think fantastic it tight ends this year you've mentioned
two other. RECEIVERS i didn't even say. Before he's got a.

(30:06):
LOT i think it's you, know you've got a lot of, People,
hotti you only have one. Ball it looks like, basketball
and how DO i keep everybody? Happy but that's a
great thing to, have because remember a couple of years
ago they had one receiver and he caught it every single.
Play Anytime Will lewis needed, Something where did he? Go?

(30:28):
Right that isn't the. Case, yeah and that's all it,
was Was Hondel. Robinson that's not the case, There AND i, think,
yes you're. Correct these guys have REALLY i think they've
taken The balzada and, cutter both of. Them they've they've
worked tirelessly with these. Guys when practice, ends they stay
out and they throw some more with the. Quarterbacks and

(30:51):
again it goes back to what we talked about the offensive,
line the continuity, there same thing with receivers and the.
Quarterback the more they work, together even when it's just
against a the better feel they get timing wise through
the different routes that they. Run and like you, said
it's He there's a lot of people to throw. To
there's a lot of running backs to hand the ball off,

(31:12):
to there's a lot of offensive lineman to. Block it's
just a, deeper better football. Team let me tell you
Some i'm not saying this Because i'm on your show
and you AND i do the. GAMES i think this
team can surprise some. PEOPLE i think the biggest game
is going to be the second game AGAINST. Obss they
win that, game they've got a real chance to get,
to you, know to get to that threshold to get

(31:34):
to A bowl.

Speaker 1 (31:34):
GAME diy With jeff mccorro FROM Uk Football network AND.
Wtvq how do you feel about THE qb.

Speaker 5 (31:40):
POSITION i think that the two guys THAT i talked,
about and, again Bo allen is just a steady. Guy
he's not going to lose a game for. You he's
just a game. Manager But calzada And cutter are difference
makers because of their arm. Strength it's it's almost like
Having timor Or jared back Their. KALZATA i think he's

(32:02):
surprising that how strong his arm. Is and when they
throw it just seems like every practice And, tom you've seen.
This they he likes to throw it deep and they've
got the speed and size at receiver to get down the.
Field almost every single, practice somebody has made a great
play down the. Field be it the guys we talked.
About Hardley gilmore is another guy who's made. Plays i'm

(32:26):
Just i'm excited about. IT i think that, Again zach's
biggest problem WHEN i look back at incarnet word And
TEXAS a AND m some tape on him is he
tries to do too much and he has to learn
that a second and ten is better than first and
ten the other, way meaning don't try to fit it,
in you, know against double coverage or you, know take

(32:49):
the three or four yard gate or throw the ball,
away don't try to force it down the. Field if
he can do, that if he can get that into his,
head THEN i think, that you, know he'll be a
much better quarterback than he has in the.

Speaker 1 (33:00):
Past oh to the other, Side bradwhite's been here a long,
time has a lot of respect before the job he
does as a d c and last season, There rundy
really slipped to the second. Half so he acknowledged in
one of the interview sessions that you, know that's going
to be a concern until you show that you can be.
Better BUT i do sense that he feels good about

(33:24):
what he's seeing out there day in and day out
on the practice.

Speaker 5 (33:26):
Field, YEAH i think he. IS i think that they're
a little smaller, linebacker but afar he's up to two
thirty to twenty. Eight that's good. Size Sam green is
one of the strongest guys in the entire. Team he
doesn't have the huge side Of Deeric jackson size, wise
but he can move really well and when he gets,

(33:46):
there he has suddenness to, him meaning when he gets,
there he can make the play. Himself he don't need
another guy to help bring a guy. Down but the
strength in the interior With Josiah hayes, health With, saunders
back With, gusta With grace AND i already talked about
they've got real depth there And war's done a really

(34:07):
good job there on the interior of the defensive, line
and it all starts. THERE i think you've got guys
on the edge that can bring it and the guys
inside that are. Stoppers i'm excited to see this defense
play And i'm excited to see how that How davin
can hold up for an entire. Season he's he's kind

(34:28):
of a. Unicorn he's two hundred and what maybe seventeen,
pounds but he's just he's really. Smart he's in his
sixth YEAR i think of playing football And David Rayner
i'm talking, about he just gets things done inside even
though he's he's a smaller. Guy so, that to me

(34:49):
is the only CONCERN i have is if those linemen
could get up to the second level and get hands on,
him you, know how can they get away from those?
Guys that's my only. Concern but other than, that LIKE i,
SAID i think up, front they're gonna Be they're gonna
be really, strong and they're gonna be really, deep so
they keep guys fresh hard.

Speaker 1 (35:06):
To not get excited for once any season gets. Closer so,
YEAH i know optimism is not in as great as
supply as it has been some other seasons across THE,
bbn BUT i think people are getting more at least
hopeful as we get. Close and it's three weeks From,
saturday So i'm gonna be out of town this. Weekend

(35:26):
i won't see you at the scrimmage, tomorrow But i'll
be interested to get the thoughts AFTER i get, back
and then then there'll be another one Next. Saturday thank,
you Pick hi, buddy and Is Jeff picoro will be
in the Booth gabriel on the sidelines Come august, thirtieth
When kentucky opens this season Against, Toledo we're gonna head
to a break come Back with the final segment of
The Leach, report presented By Bobcat. Enterprises Kentucky volleyball right

(35:51):
number seven of the preseason poll from The American Volleyball Coaches.
Association Coach skinner's, squad the second highest RATED sec, Team
texas number, five is the only conference school that is
ahead Of. KENTUCKY a lot of the traditional volleyball power
names are in that top. Ten if you're a Corn

(36:11):
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So Oscar combs post this yesterday was the number of
ranked teams that Each power for team will play this,
season and the most is. Seven Oklahoma Misissippi state In

(37:15):
florida will play seven ranked. Teams next is six and
that's where we find The Kentucky wildcats along With ARKANSAS
lsu In. Wisconsin so it just speaks to the challenge
of the schedule That Mark stoops And company. Face but
that's not anything they didn't already. Know that's going to
do it for this edition of The Leech, report thank

(37:36):
you for joining us all week long back On monday
as we move a little closer to the start of
the new football. Season so have yourself a great. Weekend
everybody see On. Monday