Photo by Mark Cornelison
2020 was not the first year of opt-outs. Before the coronavirus forced the top players to play college football for another year, the double-O word plagued some college football programs playing in six-bowl non-New Year’s games. The trend started by Leonard Fournette and Christian McCaffrey never made it to Lexington.
Mark Stoops shared on Sunday evening that participation was 100% when players returned to campus this weekend.
“Were good. We practiced,” he said. “We’ve had two good practices in the last two days. We’re at 100%. The guys are all back there practicing, working hard and having fun.”
Of course, that doesn’t include Kelvin Joseph, the cornerback who chose to sit for the regular season finale, or any player who entered his name into the transfer portal. Still, it’s impressive that in Stoops’ fifth consecutive bowl, a new school record, players have not chosen to bypass what some would consider a practice match to preserve potential stock. It speaks to the culture that Stoops created in Lexington, but he gives all the credit to the players.
“I think it says a lot about the players. First, it appeals to them individually and collectively that we have the right players here, for us, for the University of Kentucky, and I think they correspond. You’ve often heard me talk about wanting to be a player-led team. I want them to point the right way. We know we may have come up short in certain areas this year, but we are really proud of the good things they have done for many years. We have strong leadership, strong players at the top and I think that’s where it is about their commitment to each other, ”he said.
“It makes me proud because it’s really easy to kick, very easy to admit. I just think it tells a lot about them and the character they have and the responsibility they feel for each other.”
New energy since the season ended two weeks ago, players will practice for a few more days before Stoops gives them a Christmas break. Instead of spending a week in Florida, they’ll report to campus on Dec. 27 and spend just a few days in Jacksonville before the Gator Bowl begins Jan. 2.