2021-2022 cbhsports College Football Preview:Kentucky

Projected Starting Lineup

**=Returning Starter

Offense 
QB:Joey Gatewood, Junior
RB:*Chris Roudriguez, Sophomore*
WR1:Wandale Robinson, Junior
WR2:*Josh Ali, Senior*
WR3:*Isaiah Epps, Senior*
TE:*Justin Rigg, Senior*
LT:*Darian Kinnard, Senior*
LG:*Luke Fortner, RS Senior*
C:*Quintin Wilson, RS Junior*
RG:*Austin Dotson, RS Senior*
RT:Jeremy Flax, Sophomore

Defense
DE:Isaiah Gibson, RS Sophomore
NT:*Marquan McCall, Senior*
DT:*Josh Pascal, RS Senior*
DE:*Jordan Wright, RS Senior*
OLB:*DeAndre Square, Senior*
MLB:Marquez Bembry, Junior
OLB:JJ Weaver, Sophomore
CB:Carrington Valentine, Sophomore
CB:*Cedric Dort Jr., RS Senior*
SS:*Tyrell Aijan, RS Senior*
FS:*Yusuf Corker, RS Senior*

Special Teams
K:*Matt Ruffolo, RS Senior*
P:Berry Wilson, Freshman
KR: *Zach Johnson, RS Senior*
PR: *Josh Ali, RS Senior*

Returning Production:
The Wildcats are loaded with returning talent on the offensive line, front seven, and special teams. That should be the groundwork for a team that finishes high in the SEC.

New Starters:
It will either be junior Joey Gatewood or freshman Beau Allen as the starter. I projected former Auburn transfer Joey Gatewood as the starter. Talented Nebraska transfer Wan’Dale Robinson joins Kentucky as one of the best receivers in the country. Kentucky should have one of the most underrated groups of skill position players in the league.

Schedule Preview

UL-Monroe (9/4)
Kentucky is definitely a team that can compete in the SEC East. Thus, this game should be close to a cakewalk for Kentucky. Projected Score: Kentucky 42, ULM 14

Missouri (9/11)
Many think this game’s winner will finish third in the SEC East. Kentucky’s defense leads them to a win. Projected Score: Kentucky 35, Missouri 31

UT-Chattanooga (9/18)
Kentucky easily wins this one. Projected Score: Kentucky 52, UT-Chattanooga 13

at.South Carolina (9/25)
Kentucky blows out South Carolina. Projected Score: Kentucky 35, South Carolina 10

Florida (10/2)
This game, hypothetically after Kentucky beats Missouri, would likely be for second place in the SEC East. And it will be a treat. Projected Score: Kentucky 31, Florida 24

LSU (10/9)
LSU will be much improved from 2020, thus this game will be a fun one to watch. Projected Score: LSU 38, Kentucky 28

at.Georgia (10/16)
Kentucky might finish second in the SEC East. That is how good Kentucky is especially on defense. However, they are not nearly as good as Georgia. Projected Score: Georgia 38, Kentucky 28

at.Mississippi State (10/30)
This game could present itself as a trap game for Kentucky even with a hypothetical 3-2 SEC record up until this point. Getting a win in “Stark Vegas” would be huge because it would break a two-game losing streak. Projected Score: Kentucky 27, Mississippi State 24

Tennessee (11/6)
Under first-year coach Josh Heupel, Kentucky might overlook Tennessee. Projected Score: Kentucky 28, Tennessee 17

at.Vanderbilt (11/13)
Easy win for Kentucky. Projected Score: Kentucky 49, Vanderbilt 17

New Mexico State (11/20)
Another easy one for the Wildcats. Projected Score: Kentucky 52, New Mexico State 7

at.Louisville (11/27)
After taking a year off from this game because of COVID-19, the bluegrass rivalry is set to return. This game should be very close as others programs move toward likely bowl games in the following weeks. Projected Score: Kentucky 31, Louisville 28

Projected Record: 10-2 (6-2) SEC

Incoming 2021 Recruits (per 247sports) 
137.Jager Burton, IOL, Lexington,KY (Frederick Douglass)