Monday saw the release of the preseason AP Top 25 college football poll. Hours later, Fox Sports unveiled its “Ultimate 134” rankings of every FBS team in the nation heading into the 2024 season.
Kentucky was ranked No. 28, one spot behind Wisconsin in Fox analyst RJ Young’s preseason rankings.
Young uses strength of schedule, coaching staff continuity, returning starters, class of 2024 recruiting, “star” players, and success in the transfer portal as criteria for his rankings.
He cites the Wildcats’ success and stability under Mark Stoops as a big reason for their Top 30 ranking.
“Stoops has put the Wildcats into eight straight bowl games. If they make a ninth-straight postseason appearance, defensive lineman Deone Walker will likely have quite a bit to do with it. At 6-6, 348 pounds, Walker led the team in tackles for loss (12.5) and sacks (7.5) last season. Teams won’t double-team him as often with former Georgia linebacker and two-time national champion Jamon Dumas-Johnson joining UK through the portal.”
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Young goes on to praise quarterback Brock Vandagriff and says he believes the Georgia transfer could be the program’s best all-around quarterback since College Football Hall of Famer Tim Couch.
“The jewel in Stoops’ 2024 transfer portal class has to be former five-star QB and UGA backup Brock Vandagriff, who could be the Wildcats’ most talented quarterback since Tim Couch, who is still the only [single season] 4,000-yard passer in UK history.”
Kentucky landed behind eight SEC teams in Young’s preseason 1-134 rankings. Georgia was the highest-ranked SEC team at No. 2 in Young’s rankings. Ohio State was No. 1.
The Wildcats kick off the 2024 season at Kroger Field against Southern Miss on Aug. 31 (7:45 p.m. ET, SEC Network).