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What we learned about Kentucky: 5 spring takeaways

Published: Apr 18, 2016 · 3:30 PM EDT

Kentucky’s offense appeared to answer a lot of questions Saturday as new coaches and skill players adjusted well to the new system.

On defense? While the secondary is another bright spot, there are a lot of unknowns up front on a unit that finished last in the SEC in sacks last season.

Here are five takeaways from the spring for Kentucky as it enters its fourth season under coach Mark Stoops:

1. Drew Barker wins the QB competition

Stoops had a mild surprise after the Blue-White Spring Game when he announced Barker won the quarterback competition mainly against junior college transfer quarterback Stephen Johnson.

It was a surprise because Stoops usually lets quarterback competition go on through the summer, and Barker a year ago was involved in a bar fight in Richmond, Ky. So Stoops’ announcement implies that he trusts Barker off the field from a maturity standpoint as much as he does on the field.

Stoops admitted that Johnson pushed Barker midway through the spring, so Barker seemingly won a legitimate competition while learning new coordinator Eddie Gran’s offense.

2. New offense shows potential

Speaking of the new offense, Gran has no shortage of playmakers to build around. From tight end C.J. Conrad, who was regularly targeted and caught a touchdown Saturday between defenders, to wide receiver Jeff Badet showing speed to accelerate past defenders for an 85-yard score, the receiving targets were seemingly everywhere.

In the running game, Sihiem King established himself as a running back to be considered among the rotation with Stanley “Boom” Williams, who holds a school-record 7.1 yards-per-carry average, and dependable backup Jojo Kemp. And that doesn’t even count Mikel Horton, who got carries before King in Saturday’s scrimmage.

Jojo Kemp on RB rotation: "I just want to win. That's the reason I came here." Says UK so close and motto is "finish, finish, finish."

— Kyle Tucker (@KyleTucker_ATH) April 16, 2016

Kemp already up to 54 yards on four carries. All the backs look good today. Think Eddie Gran should and will run it a lot in 2016.

— Kyle Tucker (@KyleTucker_ATH) April 16, 2016

3. Chris Westry leads solid secondary

The bright spot on the back end is rising sophomore Chris Westry, who started 12 games in 2015 and led the team with eight pass breakups, had two interceptions and was SEC All-Freshman. On Saturday, he broke up two passes, and didn’t allow a catch.

“When I see the ball going down the field on his side, immediately I’m like, ‘That’s not going to be complete,’ because I feel like it’s just not going to happen,” Stoops told the Courier-Journal. “I know a couple times as I was standing behind the quarterbacks and watching them challenge him down the field, I thought that was a very low percentage that we were going to complete that. And that was true.”

Westry isn’t the only second-year cornerback to draw Stoops’ attention. Derrick Baity on the other side also had a strong spring and drew accolades after Saturday’s game.

4. Denzil Ware impresses in front seven

A part-time player in 2015, the defensive end/linebacker had 15 tackles and four sacks on Saturday, and was clearly the best player up front on defense. He established himself as a leader on a front seven that is largely new and inexperienced.

“Denzil really had some good rushes,” Stoops told the Herald-Leader. “That’s what you like to see when it’s predictable pass and we’re playing it straight we’re rushing four and no games and you just need to win a one-on-one. He won several of those today.”

Another sack by Denzil Ware, that is four for the game. He also caused a fumble, but play was called dead. Blue with ball near midfield.

— Kentucky Football (@UKFootball) April 16, 2016

Denzil Ware one of the few defensive standouts in the half. He has 10 tackles and three sacks for the Blue

— Kernel Sports (@KYKernelSports) April 16, 2016

5. Concerns linger at offensive tackle, linebackers

Outside of Ware, the pass rush leaves plenty to be desired. Jordan Jones showed some flashes, but the rest of the front seven is green.

On offense, junior college transfer offensive tackle Tate Leavitt struggled this spring in the transition to a faster pace. He admitted that he can no longer get away with parts of the game he did in high school and junior college when he simply outmuscled opponents.

“The talent level was what I expected,” Leavitt told the Courier-Journal. “I knew they were going to be more athletic and stronger, so on and so forth. The thing for me is my technique isn’t what it needs to be right now.”

Gran later added that the fact that the technique was the issue was cause for optimism because it wasn’t his athletic ability.

The latest depth chart lists Kyle Meadows as the starter at right tackle, while other players in the mix are Mason Wolfe and Leavitt. Highly-rated recruit Landon Young is set to arrive this summer.

“We feel like we’re getting some really good bodies inside,” Stoops told the paper. “Tackle, we need to keep on building our depth and bringing those guys along.”

Keith Farner

A former newspaper veteran, Keith Farner is a news manager for Saturday Down South.