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Kentucky Receiver Dekel Crowdus Blames Offensive Coordinator, Rich Scangarello, on Red Zone Struggles

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UK Athletics

It is no secret that the Kentucky football team, more specifically the offense, has underperformed in a huge way in 2022. That is with a projected first-round quarterback prospect, one of the best running backs in school history, and some very talented receivers.

Coming off a very impressive offensive season in 2021, under the direction of now Los Angeles Rams offensive coordinator, Liam Coen, the Wildcats averaged 32.3 points and 425 yards of total offense per game.

In 2022, Kentucky was supposed to carry the momentum toward a historical season under new offensive coordinator, Rich Scangarello, who Mark Stoops referred to as a “football genius”.

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However, that has been far from the case, but just how far?

After this past week, the Wildcats are ranked last in the SEC in total yards by more than 100 yards. Even when they can move the ball, they are struggling to get points in the red zone. In fact, Kentucky is ranked 98th out of 131 schools with a 79.5 percent conversion rate.

As much as this is frustrating to fans, it is also frustrating to the players.

In this week’s press conference to preview Georiga, freshman wide receiver, Dekel Crowdus, had a very interesting answer when talking about why the offense has struggled in the red zone this year.

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“Probably, I would have to say the play-caller, because we were down in the red zone and just couldn’t get it. That’s pretty much all I can say,” Crowdus said.

This comment is one of the most disconcerting things to come out of the locker room in recent seasons, and while Crowdus voiced his discontent, other players’ body language has shown the same in recent weeks. When your own players do not trust the play caller and are not scared to make that public, it’s a huge issue that’s incredibly hard to fix in a locker room.

Following a loss that will set the program back and Crowdus’ comments, Scangarello’s job security is low and he is coaching to keep it against Georgia and Louisville.

With that said, Kentucky will need to fill several key offensive positions via the transfer portal and that is difficult to do with uncertainty around the staff.

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Four Wildcats Sign NFL Contracts in Undrafted Free Agency

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UK Athletics

Within just a few hours from the conclusion of the 2025 NFL Draft, four Kentucky Wildcats were picked up in undrafted free agency.

Eli Cox, Marques Cox, Jamon Dumas-Johnson and Zion Childress all signed contracts within an hour of each other, marking a total of six Wildcats moving on to the NFL since April 24.

Two senior offensive linemen, center/guard Eli Cox and tackle Marques Cox, secured undrafted free agent deals with the Houston Texans and Denver Broncos, respectively.

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Cox, who started 47 games for Kentucky, was a team captain and earned All-SEC honors in both 2023 and 2024.On the other side of the ball, linebacker Dumas-Johnson and defensive back Childress were brought on by the Green Bay Packers and Dallas Cowboys, respectively.

Dumas-Johnson, who led Kentucky in tackles in 2024, also won back-to-back national championships with Georgia in 2021 and 2022. Childress played in 38 games for the Wildcats, amassing 148 tackles over three seasons.

With rookie minicamps set to begin in May, each player now has an opportunity to prove himself at the next level, looking to make strong first impressions with his new team.

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Deone Walker Drafted No. 109 To The Buffalo Bills

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Caleb Bowlin | UK Athletics

Kentucky defensive tackle Deone Walker has been selected No. 109 by the Buffalo Bills in the fourth round of the 2025 NFL Draft.

Walker stands at 6-foot-7 and 331 pounds, making the former Wildcat one of the biggest defensive lineman not only in the draft, but in the history of the NFL.

Since earning a starting spot as a true freshman, to now exploding with excitement when he heard his name called, Walker’s unique blend of mobility and enthusiasm will cement him as one of the most beloved Kentucky players in program history.

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Earning All-SEC honors and letting his disruptive play become the Wildcats’ identity, Walker will now cause terror for defensive coordinator Bobby Babich to go alongside his former teammate Maxwell Hairston, who was selected by the Bills in the first round.

Ray Davis also welcomed BBN to Bills Mafia moments after the selection.

The main worry about Walker not only has been his back injury that he played with all of last season, but what technique he’ll be able to play due to his stature that’s unlike any other.

However, even the NFL admitted that Walker could dominate the league.

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Before the draft, Walker visited with the Buffalo Bills, who emphasized interior pressure heavily last season, which is right up his alley. He’s been evaluated as one that can be a high-level backup or a potential starter as the season goes on.

The Bills are taking a swing with Walker, but many who watched him every Saturday at Kroger Field will tell you that this is a home-run pick.

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Maxwell Hairston Drafted No. 30 To The Buffalo Bills

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Maxwell Hairston
Caleb Bowlin | UK Athletics

Kentucky cornerback Maxwell Hairston has officially started the next chapter of his career, selected No. 30 by the Buffalo Bills in the late first round.

At 6-foot-1 and 186 pounds, Hairston has come a long way since signing with the Wildcats as a 3-star prospect out of Michigan in 2021.

Although he missed five games this past season due to injury,  Hairston was still selected to Second-Team All-SEC with 19 tackles, two forced fumbles, an interception and four deflections.

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“Mad Max” took a huge jump in the draft boards after running the fastest 40-yard dash among cornerbacks in Indianapolis, completing the drill in just 4.28 seconds.

At 21 years old, Hairston brings a level of experience from the toughest conference in college football, the SEC, to go along with elite speed and length to make him a potential starter for defensive coordinator Bobby Babich.

As one of the few invited to the NFL Draft, Big Blue Nation had a good look at Hairston with his family before his name was called.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell called the former Wildcats’ name just before the night ended, making the West Bloomfield native’s dreams come true.

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Ray Davis went to social media to share his excitement to have a familiar face in the locker room.

The National Football League shared an emotional video of Hairston embracing his father after the Bills drafted him.

Time will tell how Hairston’s role will pan out in the league, but rest assured, “Mad Max” will go down as one of the best defensive players in the Mark Stoops era.

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