Mark Stoops Sets Confident Tone for 2025 Season as Kentucky Aims to Take Major Step Forward in SEC East Race
Kentucky head coach Mark Stoops addressed the media Monday in his annual preseason press conference, a tradition that marks the unofficial beginning of football season in Lexington. Entering his 13th season as the Wildcats’ head coach, Stoops is the longest-tenured coach in program history and the second-longest in the SEC behind only Alabama’s Nick Saban. His message Monday was one of cautious optimism, grounded in the work his staff and players have done throughout the offseason and spring, but elevated by the belief that this team could reestablish itself among the SEC’s upper tier.
While much of the attention centered on the quarterback competition, Stoops spoke at length about the overall culture, offseason development, roster changes via the transfer portal, and the expectations for a team that went 7–6 in 2024 and lost to Clemson in the Gator Bowl. The 2025 campaign offers a fresh slate—and Stoops made it clear that no one inside the program is satisfied with just bowl eligibility.
“There’s been a lot of good, a lot of progress, but we’re not in this to be average,” Stoops said. “We’ve built something here, and the expectations are different now. That’s a credit to our staff, our fans, and the players who’ve come through here. But we’ve got to continue to push. We know what this league demands.”
Perhaps the biggest question heading into fall camp revolves around the quarterback position. With last year’s starter Devin Leary now graduated, Kentucky enters preseason camp with a wide-open competition. The leading contenders are Georgia transfer Brock Vandagriff and returning sophomore Cutter Boley, a high four-star recruit who redshirted last season. Stoops stopped short of naming a frontrunner, emphasizing instead the need for both players to elevate the offense.
“Cutter’s had a really strong summer, and Brock’s experience speaks for itself,” Stoops said. “They’re both extremely competitive and bring different strengths. The key is consistency. We want someone who can protect the football, manage the game, and hit the explosive plays when they’re there. We’ll let that play out naturally.”
Stoops also praised offensive coordinator Bush Hamdan, entering his second season with the Wildcats, for his work in tailoring the offense to suit the talent on hand. Hamdan, formerly at Missouri and Washington, helped improve Kentucky’s tempo and passing attack last season, even with inconsistent quarterback play. Stoops noted that the offense is expected to take a step forward in 2025, especially with a more experienced offensive line and a healthy group of running backs.
One of the defining features of Kentucky’s best teams under Stoops has been a dominant offensive line—nicknamed the “Big Blue Wall.” After a couple of down seasons due to injuries and departures to the NFL, Stoops believes this year’s unit could return to form.
“We’ve got depth, we’ve got experience, and we’ve added some real competition through the portal,” he said. “There’s a toughness back in that room. Coach (Zach) Yenser has done a really good job of developing those guys. We’re going to lean on them.”
Among the key returners are guard Jager Burton and tackle Jeremy Flax, both multi-year starters. Stoops also pointed out Michigan State transfer Ethan Boyd as someone who has impressed during workouts. With a more stable offensive front, Kentucky hopes to reignite its rushing attack, which dipped below four yards per carry last season.
The run game will again be led by veteran tailback Ray Davis, who rushed for over 1,100 yards last season and chose to return for his final year of eligibility. Stoops called Davis “one of the toughest runners I’ve coached” and praised his leadership on and off the field.
Defensively, Kentucky must replace some major production, particularly in the front seven. Linebacker Trevin Wallace and edge rusher J.J. Weaver are now in the NFL, and defensive coordinator Brad White faces the challenge of integrating new faces quickly. But Stoops expressed confidence in the depth the program has built, as well as some impact additions through recruiting and the portal.
“Brad’s done a phenomenal job year after year,” Stoops said. “We may not have the big-name guys on paper just yet, but I like the way this group works. We’re bigger, we’re faster, and we’re deeper.”
He highlighted junior linebacker D’Eryk Jackson as a leader in the middle, and sophomore defensive end Keaten Wade as a potential breakout player. Wade, a former top-150 recruit from Tennessee, showed flashes last season and could take over the primary pass-rushing duties.
The secondary, a traditional strength under Stoops, returns several experienced contributors. Cornerback Maxwell Hairston and safety Zion Childress anchor a group that Stoops believes could be among the SEC’s best.
Like nearly every program in the modern college football landscape, Kentucky leaned heavily on the transfer portal to fill holes. Stoops was careful to note that while the portal is a useful tool, the program remains committed to developing players from within.
“You’ve got to balance it,” he said. “We’ve had success bringing in transfers who fit our culture. But we’re not going to sacrifice the long-term stability of the program just to chase a quick fix.”
Among the portal additions expected to contribute early are linebacker Jaheim Thomas from Arkansas, wide receiver Elijah Spencer from Minnesota, and defensive tackle Marcus Bradley from Maryland. Stoops praised their maturity and said all three would have a chance to earn significant playing time.
Meanwhile, several true freshmen have already made a strong impression, including wide receiver Hardley Gilmore and defensive back Nasir Addison. Stoops credited his recruiting staff, led by Vince Marrow, for continuing to find talent that fits the program’s identity.
“We’ve got some guys who came in ready to compete,” Stoops said. “That’s not always the case, especially in this league. But we’ve got some freshmen who are going to push the older guys, and that’s a good thing.”
Throughout the press conference, Stoops returned to one central theme: accountability. He described the offseason as one of the most “locked-in” and “businesslike” periods in recent memory. He gave credit to strength coach Mark Hill for instilling a renewed sense of urgency in summer workouts and emphasized the role of team leadership in holding players to a high standard.
“It starts with our older guys,” he said. “When you’ve got veterans like Ray Davis, D’Eryk Jackson, and Jeremy Flax setting the tone, that carries through the locker room. We’re not chasing hype—we’re chasing results.”
Stoops also hinted at a more intense training camp schedule, with added focus on situational football and special teams. He acknowledged that the SEC has only grown more competitive, particularly with the additions of Texas and Oklahoma in 2025, and said Kentucky must find “every edge possible” to compete weekly.
“There’s no off weeks in this league,” he said. “You better bring your best every Saturday, or you’re getting humbled. We know that. We’ve lived it.”
Kentucky’s 2025 schedule is among the toughest in the nation. In addition to their annual rivalry games against Tennessee and Louisville, the Wildcats will host Georgia and travel to face both Alabama and Texas. The schedule also includes games against Ole Miss, Mississippi State, and a trip to Columbia to face South Carolina—a team Stoops praised as one of the most improved in the conference.
“We’re not ducking anybody,” Stoops said. “You want to be the best? You’ve got to beat the best. That’s the SEC. That’s what we signed up for.”
Still, there’s a quiet confidence in Stoops’ tone, even as he downplays expectations. The 2025 season won’t be easy—but that seems to suit Kentucky just fine. They’ve never been the preseason darling, and that underdog mentality continues to fuel the program’s growth.
As he embarks on his 13th season, Stoops was asked whether he thinks about legacy. After all, he’s transformed Kentucky from a perennial bottom-dweller into a program that has been to eight straight bowl games and finished ranked in three of the last seven seasons. But Stoops waved off the idea that he’s content.
“I love this place,” he said. “And I’m proud of what we’ve done. But I don’t spend a lot of time looking in the rearview mirror. We’ve got a lot more to prove.”
He noted that NIL and the transfer portal have changed the job significantly, but said Kentucky is “in a good place” in terms of support, resources, and infrastructure. He credited athletic director Mitch Barnhart and the administration for investing in the program and ensuring that Kentucky isn’t left behind in the ever-evolving college football arms race.
“We’ve got the tools now,” he said. “It’s up to us to use them the right way. The margin for error is small. But the opportunity is big.”
Mark Stoops’ preseason press conference didn’t include any grand declarations or flashy predictions. Instead, it reflected the steady, no-nonsense approach that has become his hallmark. There was urgency, certainly. But also resolve. Kentucky enters the 2025 season as a team with questions—particularly at quarterback and on defense—but also with the potential to surprise.
For Stoops, the message was clear: the foundation is built. Now it’s time to raise the bar.
“Let’s go to work,” he said with a slight grin, then stood up and walked off the podium.
