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Mark Stoops provided an update for a key injured player on Monday.
Chip Trayanum transferred to Kentucky this offseason from Ohio State. The running back figured to be a key piece of the Wildcat offense in 2024 but unfortunately has yet to play after suffering a broken thumb this summer.
On Monday’s call-in show, however, Stoops announced that Trayanum has been cleared to play. The coach was not ready to say the RB would play in Week 5, but things are looking up.
“We’ll see. We weren’t in pads today, but he’s cleared to go,” Stoops said on his radio show, per A Sea of Blue. “We’ll see what type of strength he has in that hand. It was operated on, so we’ll see how he comes along and what he’s like here throughout the week. But he’s cleared.”
The Kentucky offense could certainly use any boost they can get. The Wildcats currently have the No. 115 total offense in the nation and are No. 105 in scoring.
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In Trayanum’s place, Demie Sumo-Karngbaye has been serviceable. The RB has 274 rushing yards and 3 touchdowns.
However, the passing game has been especially bad, so the team could use another quality RB like Trayanum. Brock Vandagriff has thrown for just 550 yards in 4 games with 3 TDs and 2 INTs.
Trayanum was part of a running-back-by-committee in 2023 with the Buckeyes. The RB rushed for 373 yards with 3 TDs. Trayanum also caught 9 passes for 53 yards.
Without Trayanum, the Wildcats are sitting at 2-2. The team has big wins over Southern Miss and Ohio, but already has 2 SEC losses. The Wildcats will face off against Ole Miss on Saturday at Noon ET.
Bryce Lazenby covers college football for Saturday Down South. A Nashville native, his previous stops include FanSided, Dimers, and The Leaf-Chronicle.
