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Chris Rodriguez Jr., Kentucky’s star running back, will reportedly be out once more when the No. 20 Wildcats travel to Gainesville to take No. 12 Florida. The news was first reported by ESPN’s Chris Low.
Rodriguez, one of the top playmakers in the conference for the past 3 years, continues to remain sidelined while awaiting a ruling on an NCAA matter. According to Low, the Wildcats are hopeful of receiving a final answer on the matter within the week but are preparing for a minimum suspension of 3 games.
Wildcats coach Mark Stoops has been quiet with the details surrounding Rodriguez’s case. When asked this week by local reporters in Lexington, Stoops said the decision was out of his hands, and the ruling had “several different layers” beyond his payroll.
Running back Chris Rodriguez Jr. will miss his second straight game while awaiting a ruling from the NCAA and won’t play Saturday for @UKFootball against @GatorsFB, sources tell ESPN.
— Chris Low (@ClowESPN) September 9, 2022
Last season, Rodriguez became one of the SEC’s more consistent runners on a Wildcats’ roster that defied preseason expectations. Leading the conference with 1,379 yards and 9 touchdowns, the 5-11 junior was a catalyst in helping Kentucky finish with a 10-3 overall record.
Last week, in its season-opening 37-13 win over Miami (Ohio), Kentucky was limited to just 50 total rushing yards. Senior running back and Sam Houston transfer Ramon Jefferson also left during the 1st quarter after suffering a torn ACL. He is now expected to miss the remainder of the season.
Kickoff against the Gators is slated for 7 p.m. ET.
Cole Thompson is a freelance writer for Saturday Football who has covered college football and the NFL for multiple websites. Thompson is currently based in Houston, Texas, and also can be heard daily on SportsMap National Radio's 'Just Sayin It' from 3am-6am.
