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Kentucky Football Players and Parents Publicly Voice Frustration on the Program

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1 year ago

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Frustration is high around the Kentucky football program following a loss to South Carolina
UK Athletics

Mark Stoops has brought Kentucky football to new heights that it had not ever seen before. Kentucky recorded two 10-win seasons in the span of four years under Stoops from 2018 to 2021, something that had not been done since 1977. However, after going 7-6 last year in disappointing fashion, the BBN wanted to see Stoops get things turned around. That hasn’t happened, and now there are many people upset about the direction of the program.

Parents of Current Players

It was no secret that a ton of Kentucky’s key players struggled in Saturday’s loss. After all, that’s how you lose games, from not playing well. However, star RB Ray Davis’ lack of production wasn’t a means of struggling necessarily, but he had a lack of touches against South Carolina. Davis’ father, Raymond, commented on the issue as well, saying, “One of the best running backs in the country w 12 carries crazy.”

In addition, Donte Key, the father of Dane Key, expressed his own thoughts on X during the game. His statement was simple, saying, “This is f******* awful!” Despite Dane having four receptions for 51 yards, his father had to talk about the elephant in the room. Unfortunately, the parent frustration doesn’t end there.

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Anonymously, a parent of a former player talked with KY Insider, and they had some pretty damning things to say about the UK football program. “Seems like the last two years there’s been a lack of grit and toughness that was kind of their calling card the previous 4 or 5 years,” the parent said. A lot of people are upset about the program, even from within.

Former Players

Yup, even some of Stoops’ former players aren’t happy with him and the direction the program is taking. The former Ole Miss turned UK LB Jacquez Jones was one of the players most upset with what he was watching. Jones also kept his feelings comprised in a simple post.

Then, one of the best to put on the Kentucky uniform under Stoops also let his voice be heard. Current LA Rams LB DeAndre Square also took his frustrations to X/Twitter on Saturday night. Square posted, “We gotta get our fight back .. idk where we lost it but we gotta get it back #BBN.” It would be nice to have some of the veteran leadership that Jones and Square brought to the team.

Ray Davis and Dane Key

Aaaaaaaand last, but certainly not least: Ray Davis. Just like his father, Davis was also frustrated with his lack of touches against South Carolina. After being one of the best running backs in the SEC all season long, Stoops and Coen went away from their fifth-year star. On X, Davis said, “it is what it is. Thought I was the bell cow”.

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Davis has only gotten 172 carries this season compared to 232 as a Commodore last year. Despite having 990 yards on the ground and 17 total touchdowns, Kentucky went away from Davis during the most critical time of the season. Only Stoops and Coen can answer why, but it’s easy to see why Davis (and his father) aren’t happy.

He is not the only current player to make their frustration public either. While not publishing his own post, star wide receiver Dane Key liked a tweet from his brother that said “Free 6.”

Stoops brought back Liam Coen who was the OC in 2021’s 10-3 season. He brought in the No. 1 ranked QB in the transfer portal. He brought in RB Ray Davis, who set numerous records at Vanderbilt. Barion Brown, Dane Key, and Deone Walker all came back. All of those things happened, but Kentucky is just 6-5 coming off of a 21-14 loss to a now 5-6 South Carolina team.

The regression is apparent and because of that, there are A LOT of folks frustrated around the program.

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Two More Wildcats Eye NFL Futures

Two more Wildcats are receiving opportunities to accomplish their NFL dreams.

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12 hours ago

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May 10, 2025

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UK Athletics

Linebacker D’Eryk Jackson and kicker Alex Raynor are the latest Kentucky Wildcats aiming to make their mark in the NFL.

Jackson, a 6-foot-1, 244-pound linebacker, signed an undrafted free agent contract with the Seattle Seahawks after impressing during the team’s rookie minicamp.

In his five seasons playing college football, Jackson amassed 216 total tackles including 17 tackles for loss, 9 sacks and five interceptions.

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The former Kentucky standout and the teams leading tackler from 2022 and 2023 will now compete for a spot on the Seahawks final 53-man roster.

Raynor, meanwhile, received an invitation to attend the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ rookie camp, which runs May 9–11.

The Kennesaw, Georgia, native made 25 of 27 field-goal attempts in two seasons with Kentucky, including a school-record 55-yarder.

His performance earned him SEC Special Teams Player of the Year honors in 2024 and a shot to prove himself at the next level.

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With the addition of Jackson and Raynor to NFL rosters, the total number of Kentucky Wildcats now vying for a spot in the league has reached 10.

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Saskatchewan Roughriders Sign Octavious Oxendine to CFL Deal

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2 days ago

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May 8, 2025

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UK Athletics

On Wednesday, it was officially announced that former Wildcats defensive lineman Octavious Oxendine agreed to play with the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League.

Oxendine becomes only the fifth player from Kentucky to take their talents up north. Those before him included fellow Roughrider Micah Johnson, Josh Ali of the Calgary Stampeders, Lynn Bowden of the BC Lions and Quandre Mosely Winnipeg Blue Bombers.

The Radcliff, Kentucky, native played five seasons in Lexington. Making 19 starts in 47 games played, Oxendine recorded 78 tackles, 15 tackles for loss, 9.5 sacks, two forced fumbles and a blocked kick.

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In 2024, Oxendine appeared in all 12 games for the Wildcats and made one start against Murray State, finishing his final season with a team-second best four sacks.

A key performance by Oxendine helped Kentucky defeat the No. 6 Ole Miss Rebels in Oxford, Mississippi, as the defensive lineman recorded three tackles and a career-high two sacks for a combined 10 yards lost. His first sack came on a third down play, forcing the Rebels to punt, and the second led to Ole Miss letting the clock run out to end the first half.

The standout performance led to Oxendine being named SEC Defensive Player of the Week.

In December 2024, Oxendine graduated from the University of Kentucky with a degree in social work. Additionally, the recent graduate was named the 2025 CATSPY Male Supporting Role Award.  

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Now in green, Oxendine will take the field with the Saskatchewan Roughriders as they are set to kickoff the preseason on Saturday, May 24, against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.

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Tre’vonn Rybka Signs With Dolphins As Undrafted Free Agent

Published

2 weeks ago

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April 29, 2025

By

John Clay | UK Athletics

Another Cat is heading to the NFL after defensive lineman Tre’vonn Rybka was signed by the Miami Dolphins in undrafted free agency on April 28, shortly after the conclusion of the 2025 NFL Draft.

Rybka, who appeared in 48 games over five seasons with Kentucky, amassed 95 tackles including 5 sacks. As a senior, he started all 12 games, finishing with 34 tackles, five tackles for loss and three sacks.

He now joins a Dolphins defense that used their No. 13 pick in this year’s draft on Michigan defensive tackle Kenneth Grant, meaning Rybka will have to compete for a roster spot in a deep defensive front rotation.

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Off the field, Rybka, who was adopted by his grandparents as a child due to his mother’s battle with addiction, is an active member of Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Bluegrass. He was awarded the “Big Ambassador of the Year” award in 2024 for his commitment to mentoring and supporting the youth.

His commitment to give back to the community and its youth reflects dedication to make a positive impact both on and off the football field.

Rybka will report to the Dolphins rookie camp on May 9-12, before he officially fights for a spot on the 53-man roster in June.

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