The biggest news that came out of the Blue-White Spring Game was that Drew Barker was officially named the starting quarterback.

It was also a showcase for the offense, as several running backs and receivers made big plays against a pedestrian defense save for Denzil Ware.

So as Kentucky looks to turn the corner and end its five-year bowl drought, here are its post-spring strengths and weaknesses:

STRENGTHS

  • Running backs: Kentucky finished seventh in the SEC last season in yards per carry. It’s clearly the one position that Kentucky measures up against the rest of the SEC. Stanley “Boom” Williams could play, and likely start, on several SEC teams. Despite injuries that limited Williams in 2015, he set a school record with 7.1 yards per carry. But Williams is only the leader of a group that includes Jojo Kemp, Mikel Horton and Sihiem King, who had arguably the best spring game.
  • Chris Westry: The rising sophomore was named to the All-SEC Freshman team after he had eight pass breakups and two interceptions from 12 starts in 2015. In the spring game, he broke up two passes and didn’t allow a catch. That didn’t surprise coach Mark Stoops, who told reporters he’s only surprised when an opponent catches a pass against Westry.
  • Denzil Ware: The star of the spring game, Ware is Kentucky’s best pass rusher. He had 39 tackles including 5.5 for a loss last season. But in the Blue-White game, he had 15 tackles, five for a loss and four sacks. He’ll have to likely adjust to double teams until teammates establish themselves in the pass rush.

WEAKNESSES

  • Wide receivers: The group as a whole was known for drops last season, and despite a couple big plays in the spring game, questions remain about who will emerge as targets for still green starting quarterback Barker. Two (Garrett Johnson and Dorian Baker) ranked in the top 15 of SEC receivers last season, but they combined for five touchdowns.
  • Offensive line: The focus of the 2016 recruiting class led by four-star prospect Landon Young was helping another unit that brings plenty of questions. JUCO transfer Tate Leavitt, projected to be the left tackle, had a sub-par spring, and then there was Ware wreaking havoc in the spring game. Mason Wolfe, another tackle, also struggled to establish himself in the spring. Last year’s starting right tackle, Kyle Meadows, appears solid, while another tackle candidate, Cole Mosier, is a converted guard. The group allowed 30 sacks in 2015, which was tied for 10th in the SEC and 85th nationally. More questions could come if the talented, but young players, are forced into significant roles because of injuries or inconsistent play. With a young quarterback and above-average running backs, Kentucky can’t afford to have any hiccups along the line.
  • Linebackers: Scan the roster, and almost every player outside of Ware has fewer than 12 career tackles, was academically ineligible or injured last season. Two, Big Ten transfers Courtney Love and De’Niro Laster, look the part but are unproven. A couple of highly touted recruits in Kash Daniel and Eli Brown are poised to contribute, but how much is expected of them? Love and Jordan Jones should be the playmakers of the group given their spring performance and leadership potential. Five still haven’t played for Kentucky, so even if things go as well as could be expected, there will be growing pains. However it ends up, the Wildcats have plenty of room to improve from last season’s performance when the defense was 109th in sacks (17) and 97th in rushing defense (196 yards per game).