The buy-in for Kentucky football is understandably low for Big Blue Nation following a disappointing 4-8 campaign in 2024 — a year with sky-high expectations and rock-bottom execution. Fans want to believe, but they need to be shown that a turnaround is coming, not told. It’s why you haven’t heard much from the coaches or players this offseason, Mark Stoops leading the charge on a work-in-silence approach to prove doubters wrong.
Attend a practice or hang around the facilities; you won’t hear much mouthing off.
“I think they’re very much the type right now to just kind of keep their mouth shut and play ball, you know?” Stoops said Saturday. “Get better and learn the system.”
A former Kentucky defensive standout himself, DL coach Anwar Stewart understands the external skepticism. He just doesn’t take it personally — or even listen to it, for that matter. It’s impossible to let that take up mental space when you’re obsessing over returning to the program’s blue-collar standard of bowl games and competing in the top half of the SEC.
If they want to get back to where they were before and better, it all has to stay internal. That’s been the case through the spring, summer and first two weeks of fall camp.
“We’re not worried about what the media or those fans think. It’s all about us in that building, man, and all the hard work that these young men have put in, the hours that we’ve put in, man,” Stewart said on WLAP’s Sunday Morning Sports Talk. “We’re ready to go. We’ve had two weeks of really good preparation, we’ve got two more weeks to really continue to take it to the next level.
“We don’t listen to the outside voices, man. It ain’t about what they think. It’s about what we go out and do. We’ve got a very competitive team.”
The results are showing, as Stoops shared Saturday.
“I’m very pleased with the progress we’ve made this week,” he said. “… There’s definite improvement, and we all know that’s what we need to do.”
Stewart believes it’s been consistent growth since last winter, not just for his defensive line unit or that side of the football, but everyone in the locker room.
“Very competitive. They’ve been together now since January, so it’s very competitive. Coach (Eric Wolford) is doing a really good job with those guys (on the offensive line), developing them and getting those guys all caught up — especially the new guys,” he said on the show. “On my end, I got three really good additions, man, and they fit in perfectly. We’re not going to be that really huge, big front we’ve had in the past, but we’re all going to be strong.
“We’re going to be quick, explosive guys, guys that could get on the edges fast and be disruptive. Coach (Brad) White is going to put those guys in situations that will be very successful. We’re excited, man. We’re excited about where we are.”
For his unit, they’re finally healthy and the depth is starting to show itself in a positive way. From starters to backups, the drop-off isn’t significant — if there is one at all. That just wasn’t the case last season.
“I think the biggest thing is that we’re all healthy,” Stewart said. “This time last year, Josaih Hayes and Tavion Gadson went down in the spring and they missed the season. Josaih ended up coming back — both ended up coming back at the end — but they weren’t 100%.
“I have, right now, 15 really healthy bodies, probably an eight-man rotation right now that I feel really good with no drop-off.”
Some of the new faces he expects to make a serious impact?
“Well, defensively, David Gusta is going to be — he’s going to be a really good guy to anchor that inside. He’s a physical guy,” he continued. “You know, Mi’Quise (Humphrey-) Grace is one. He’s an edge guy that’s unbelievably talented. Defensively, I have Jaden Williams, who also gives us depth up front.”
That’s not to build up hype or make false promises, because he knows fans don’t want to hear that right now. It’s more about being proud of the work they’ve put in and letting that show when the ball is kicked off for the first time against Toledo on August 30.
That’s his message to Big Blue Nation. The program has done it under Stoops and everyone in that building wants to prove they can get back to that in 2025.
If it’s the same product, let ’em hear it.
“You know what? I’ll just tell them to trust the process. Coach Stoops has been to eight straight bowl games. One year doesn’t change that, okay? One year doesn’t change that. We’ll get back to that,” Stewart said. “You know what? Come on out at the end of the month versus Toledo and let’s see. Let’s see if — what you guys saw last year — there’s not a difference.
“We’re ready to roll, man. We’re ready to go. The guys are hungry. They’re working their butts off. They paid the price, and now it’s time to go.”
And if nothing can convince you as an eternal pessimist, then he looks forward to proving it at Kroger Field in 20 days.
“They’re just gonna have to wait. If they want to be Debbie Downers and tell us we’re gonna be 4-8, their ass can wait,” a feisty Stewart said. “They can wait till the first game and see what we have.”