Kentucky football kicked off its first Spring practice on Monday, March 10, 2025, with an impressive roster that includes 31 new players, creating a fresh sense of opportunity for the team. Head Coach Mark Stoops spoke to the media following the practice session, offering insights into the team’s offseason preparation and the challenges ahead in building a cohesive and competitive unit.
Stoops expressed his satisfaction with the team’s offseason efforts, noting that the players had worked diligently and that the foundation for the upcoming season had been solidified. “I felt like we had a really productive, good offseason… guys have worked really hard and we took it into practice today and got off to a good start. Obviously, still a ton of work to do,” Stoops remarked, acknowledging that while progress had been made, there was still much to accomplish.
With 31 new faces on the roster, Stoops stressed the importance of team bonding during the offseason to create a unified and close-knit group. “We have 31 new players out there, we’ve worked really hard as an organization, as a team to really bond, to get closer, to be very intentional,” he explained. The team has introduced various initiatives to foster unity, including a program called “Yearbook,” where players focus on learning each other’s names and backgrounds. “Every player on our team is studying everybody on the field and just getting to know everybody,” Stoops said.
The offseason allowed the coaching staff to work more closely with the players, which Stoops believes eased the transition into spring practice. “We are able to do a little more in the offseason, and you get more work with them, you know, so you don’t feel like you’re out there day one where it’s just completely new,” he stated.
Looking ahead, Stoops identified maintaining intensity and discipline as key focus areas for the spring. He reflected on how last season’s shortcomings were often the result of not playing with maximum focus on every single play. “In a game of 160 plays, you don’t know any one play that’s gonna make the difference in the game,” Stoops said, emphasizing that no play could be taken off.
As the longest-tenured coach in the SEC, Stoops is committed to instilling a higher level of intensity in the team. “The intensity has to go up,” he said, stressing the need for continuous improvement. He remains optimistic about the team’s potential, especially with the mix of experienced players and promising newcomers. He is eager to see the players grow throughout the spring, knowing there’s still a lot of work to do before the season kicks off.
Additionally, UK’s pro day was held on Tuesday, March 11, where 14 alumni showcased their skills through various tests, including running, agility drills, the bench press, position-specific exercises, and the vertical jump.
Leave a Reply