{"id":44214,"date":"2022-03-21T09:00:32","date_gmt":"2022-03-21T13:00:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/collegefootball\/?p=44214"},"modified":"2022-03-20T21:15:59","modified_gmt":"2022-03-21T01:15:59","slug":"kentucky-spring-preview-running-backs-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/collegefootball\/2022\/03\/21\/kentucky-spring-preview-running-backs-2\/","title":{"rendered":"Kentucky Spring Preview Running Backs"},"content":{"rendered":"<h3>Best Group In The SEC?<\/h3>\n<p>After an unexpected and shocking loss to St. Peter&#8217;s in the NCAA Basketball Tournament, the Big Blue Nation now turns its focus to Spring football. In our last preview, we <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/collegefootball\/2022\/03\/11\/2022-kentucky-spring-preview-quarterbacks\/\" target=\"_self\">looked at the quarterbacks. <\/a>This time out we&#8217;re staying in the backfield were led by an All-SEC performer UK has arguably the best group in the conference. Let&#8217;s take a look at him and his more than capable cohorts with our Kentucky Spring Preview Running Backs.<\/p>\n<h3>Is He The Top Running Back In The League?<\/h3>\n<p>A season ago <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sports-reference.com\/cfb\/players\/christopher-rodriguez-jr-1.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Chris Rodriguez <\/a>was second in the league with 1,378 yards on the ground, with only <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sports-reference.com\/cfb\/players\/tyler-badie-1.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Tyler Badie<\/a> gaining more. In addition, he finished seventh in touchdowns with 10. Rodriguez thought about entering the 2022 NFL Draft but ultimately returned for his senior season.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Let\u2019s do it!! <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/2TEeWOnNjo\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/2TEeWOnNjo<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Chris Rodriguez Jr (@CROD_JR) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/CROD_JR\/status\/1480654165906968583?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">January 10, 2022<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>As C-Rod mentioned in his tweet a desire to re-write the history books was a big reason for his return. He needs only 1,134 yards to break\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.sports-reference.com\/cfb\/players\/benjamin-snell-jr-1.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Benny Snell&#8217;s<\/a> record of 3,873. Should Rodriguez have another strong year he should eclipse that easily. Furthermore under former offensive coordinator <strong>Liam Coen<\/strong> he showed he&#8217;s also a pass-catching threat. Last year he hauled in 13 passes and three more touchdowns.<\/p>\n<p>By coming back for another year he gets a chance to enhance his draft stock for 2023. He also had a surprising problem with fumbles in 2021 after being sure-handed his entire time in Lexington. Show the scouts he can hold onto the ball and his pass-catching ability and he should be a second-day pick next year.<\/p>\n<p>While Rodriguez leads the way the Cats are in no way a one-man backfield. As we continue with our Kentucky Spring Preview Running Backs let&#8217;s look at the players who will be pushing for playing time.<\/p>\n<h3>Poised For A Breakout Year?<\/h3>\n<p>Right behind Rodriguez is the guy with one of the best names in college football, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sports-reference.com\/cfb\/players\/kavosiey-smoke-1.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Kavosiey Smoke<\/a>. As a junior in 2021 Smoke ran for 416 yards and four touchdowns. He broke the century mark with 104 yards <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/collegefootball\/2021\/10\/10\/kentucky-blasts-lsu-42-21\/\" target=\"_self\">in their big win over LSU. <\/a>In 2019 he gained 616 yards and has 1,306 yards for his career.<\/p>\n<p>While Kentucky did rediscover the forward pass last season the attack under <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/collegefootball\/2022\/02\/27\/kentucky-hires-rich-scangarello\/\" target=\"_self\">new offensive coordinator Rich Scangarello<\/a> shouldn&#8217;t be much different than what Coen ran. As a result, there&#8217;s plenty of opportunity for Smoke as a change of pace back in 2022.<\/p>\n<p>Continuing on with our 2022 Kentucky Spring Preview running backs let&#8217;s look at a few other guys who are pushing for playing time.<\/p>\n<h3>The Next In Line<\/h3>\n<p>Following close behind Rodriguez and Smoke on the Kentucky depth chart is junior <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sports-reference.com\/cfb\/players\/jutahn-mcclain-1.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Ju&#8217;tahn McClain<\/a>. A season ago the Fairfield, Ohio native ran for 165 yards averaging nearly five yards per carry. In addition, he caught six passes for 42 yards and a touchdown. His high water mark came in the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/collegefootball\/2021\/11\/14\/kentucky-defeats-vanderbilt-34-17\/\" target=\"_self\">34-17 win over Vanderbilt<\/a> where he had 69 yards on 10 carries. Furthermore, he picked up 28 yards in the\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/collegefootball\/2022\/01\/01\/kentucky-wins-a-citrus-bowl-thriller\/\" target=\"_self\">Citrus Bowl win over Iowa<\/a> spelling Rodriguez when Smoke was unable to play. One of the things to watch throughout the spring is the battle between McClain and Smoke over the backup role to Rodriguez.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sports-reference.com\/cfb\/players\/lavell-wright-1.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">La&#8217;Vell Wright<\/a>\u00a0is an in-state product out of North Hardin. As a freshman he ran gained 118 yards on only nine carries with one touchdown. If you&#8217;re scoring at home that&#8217;s a whopping 13 yards per carry. At 5-foot-11 and 202 pounds he has the size and speeds the coaching staff is looking for at the running back position.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">C2C Asset<br \/>RB La\u2019Vell Wright &#8211; UK<br \/>\ud83d\udd392021 &#8211; 3\u2b50\ufe0f RB55<br \/>\ud83d\udd3918% Explosive run rate<br \/>\ud83d\udd3913.1 YPC<\/p>\n<p>Between week 12-13 he had 9 carries and 3 routes run on 17 snaps: <\/p>\n<p>Rushing: 9-118-1<\/p>\n<p>Encouraging late season production by the true freshmen. Wright will be the future of UK\u2019s backfield. <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/ZeT6vfPYxc\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/ZeT6vfPYxc<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Mike Vallerie (@FF_DirtyMike) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/FF_DirtyMike\/status\/1502875284542050312?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">March 13, 2022<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>Another player to watch is <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sports-reference.com\/cfb\/players\/michael-drennen-ii-1.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Michael Drennen II<\/a>, a former top 300 recruit who picked Kentucky over USC and others back in 2020. He played in eight games in 2020 as a true freshman at wide receiver before moving to running back last year. He gained 17 yards and a touchdown in limited playing time in 2021. The potential is there, he just needs an opportunity.<\/p>\n<p>With the possible exception of linebacker, there&#8217;s no position on\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.sports-reference.com\/cfb\/coaches\/mark-stoops-1.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Mark Stoops&#8217;<\/a> 10th Kentucky squad that&#8217;s as loaded as running back. Thanks for checking out our 2022 Kentucky Spring Preview Running Backs here at Last Word On College Football. Next time we&#8217;ll look at an area where the Cats have some question marks wide receiver.<\/p>\n<div class=\"getty embed image\" style=\"background-color: #fff; display: inline-block; font-family: Roboto,sans-serif; color: #a7a7a7; font-size: 11px; width: 100%; max-width: 594px;\">\n<div style=\"padding: 0; margin: 0; text-align: left;\"><a style=\"color: #a7a7a7; text-decoration: none; font-weight: normal !important; border: none; display: inline-block;\" href=\"http:\/\/www.gettyimages.com\/detail\/1237498353\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Embed from Getty Images<\/a><\/div>\n<div style=\"overflow: hidden; position: relative; height: 0; padding: 66.66667% 0 0 0; width: 100%;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" style=\"display: inline-block; position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; margin: 0;\" src=\"\/\/embed.gettyimages.com\/embed\/1237498353?et=W8KPvJ6DQAx7OI97hLJ5Og&amp;tld=com&amp;sig=aVcO92tJBfFroc1vcTtVW--WJZLuz6-Oy6ZTD5zW78E=&amp;caption=true&amp;ver=1\" width=\"594\" height=\"396\" frameborder=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Best Group In The SEC? After an unexpected and shocking loss to St. Peter&#8217;s in the NCAA Basketball Tournament, the Big Blue Nation now turns its focus to Spring football. In our last preview, we looked at the quarterbacks. This time out we&#8217;re staying in the backfield were led by an All-SEC performer UK has [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":877,"featured_media":44239,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"1","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[3,2],"tags":[35622,8859,184,7670,140,7673,3024,3121,7674,285,6212,126,8820],"class_list":["post-44214","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-sec","category-featured","tag-2022-kentucky-wildcats","tag-2022-sec-football-spring-previews","tag-cfb","tag-chris-rodriguez","tag-fbs","tag-juthan-mcclain","tag-kavosiey-smoke","tag-kentucky-wildcats-football","tag-lavell-wright","tag-mark-stoops","tag-michael-drennen","tag-ncaa","tag-rich-scangarello"],"modified_by":"Kate Pearson Halyburton, Editor","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/collegefootball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/44214","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/collegefootball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/collegefootball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/collegefootball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/877"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/collegefootball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=44214"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/collegefootball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/44214\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/collegefootball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/44239"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/collegefootball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=44214"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/collegefootball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=44214"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/collegefootball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=44214"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}