Merry Christmas to everyone in the Big Blue Nation. We hope everyone is having an amazing holiday season as we slowly inch towards Kentucky’s game against Brown on New Year’s Eve. Today we want to show our gratitude for some of the gifts Kentucky football gave us over the offseason.
If you have listened to our nightly show, you know Paul is a massive fan of Nebraska transfer Dante Dowdell. “Stoops has always had teams that can compete and win with a running back who can absolutely bruise you and gain that 1-2 yards when needed.” Dowdell certainly fits the mold of someone who can grind out hard yards when the team needs them. Dowdell had 64.4% of his yards come after contact, higher than both Chris Rodriguez and Benny Snell. He was top five in the B1G in rushing touchdowns with twelve, and all twelve of them came from within the redzone. Dowdell is a powerful 6’2, 225-pound back who can give Kentucky better success in short yardage situations.
Salena debated between Dowdell and Wallace Unamba, but the New Mexico tackle ended up being the choice. Unamba committed to the Cats over Virginia, and he brings a world of experience to Lexington. Salena was impressed he had never given up a sack in his three seasons of playing time saying, “that’s so important for this team as the QB’s faced so much pressure this past season.” Unamba did not give up a sack in three years at Kilgore C.C. and became a two-time JUCO All-American. He played 699 snaps this season for the lobos, allowing ten pressures and zero sacks. Unamba has guard-tackle flexibility that will play a key role in rebuilding the Big Blue Wall.
Joe also kept it on the line with Arkansas transfer Joshua Braun. Joe cited his 79.3 pass blocking grade from PFF in 2023 when he was an All-SEC player. He is most excited for Braun to bring “toughness, leadership, and a meanness” back to the offensive line. Braun allowed ten pressures and one sack in 835 snaps for the razorbacks this season. Braun spent two seasons in Gainesville before moving to Fayetteville and becoming an excellent pass blocker. He has the movement skills and experience to get advantages on defensive lineman and open big holes. To the credit of Joe wanting toughness, Braun has two parents that played at Army West Point, I would imagine he knows how to be tough.
The offense got a complete overhaul, and everyone on our staff is excited to see the jump in production in year two of Hamdan’s system. To make sure Brad White knows we appreciate him too, Kameron Olds will get my pick for favorite gift of the offseason. The Kent State transfer had a breakout 2024 tallying 29 pressures on 235 pass rush snaps (12.34%). He is quick off the ball and often beats linemen to the spot disrupting the play. Kentucky has needed a havoc creating edge defender that can pin his ears back and end a drive, and Olds showed that ability for the Golden Flashes. The edge room got completely flipped, and Olds projects to be the new leader of this critical position.
You cannot go an entire transfer article without mentioning the new QB1. Kyndall is most excited for seventh year Incarnate Word transfer Zach Calzada to be bringing his talents to Lexington. She loved that he “feels the connection to the team, the QB room, and the fanbase.” She says you can feel how much he cares about the game of football and his teammates when he talks and that is always a good first sign. He also brings “leadership and control” to a quarterback room filled with talented young pieces. He has big game experience and can teach the young guys how to approach every moment. She also thinks his quick release and decision making will play well in Bush’s system as he can get the ball out on time and before pressure can get to him, something that may happen with a brand-new offensive line.
Rando threw a nod to my second choice in Kendrick Law, the Alabama receiver who was clocked at 23.6 miles per hour in Tuscaloosa. The Saban recruit is an elite blocker for the position and quickly gets north-south with the ball in his hands. He should be a great scheme fit for Hamdan and Rando expects a breakout statistical year for him. If you thought Rando wanted to talk about transfers, you are wrong. Ja’Mori Maclin is back and there is not a player Stoops could have gotten that would be more exciting. Maclin was a monster at North Texas averaging over seventeen yards per reception. While he had a quiet season, Maclin stood out the last few games with multiple contested catches and excellent route running to find himself open. Maclin appears to be a headline instead of an afterthought this season, and that is the best gift Rando could ever ask for (on a football field).
Kentucky has loaded up in the transfer portal, and they may not be done. There is a dead period for visits over the holidays, but in January another wave could be coming. For now, thank you to everyone who has been with us for the start of our journey, and Merry Christmas!
After having a singular game on Christmas Eve, the sports world is very busy today. I have to throw some gambling picks in here but note this is NOT gambling advice and I have not watched one second of NBA basketball this season.
NBA
– ML Parlay: Knicks, Mavericks, Celtics, Warriors, Suns (+717)
– LAL/GSW Under 221.5 (-110)
-Tyrese Maxey 35+ Points, Rebounds, and Assists (+115)
NFL
– KC/PIT Over 45.5 + Steelers ML (+305)
– Ravens -6 + Derrick Henry Anytime TD (+162)
