One of these running backs could be Kentucky football’s replacement for Chris Rodriguez

Finding a replacement for Will Levis might be task No. 1 for the Kentucky football offense this offseason, but quarterback is not the only position the Wildcats need to replace a star player.

With running back Chris Rodriguez opting out of the Music City Bowl, the remake of Kentucky’s rushing attack is also underway.

Turnover at quarterback is nothing new for the Mark Stoops era at Kentucky, but running back has been one of the team’s more stable positions during the run of seven consecutive bowl games. That time frame has seen Benny Snell and Rodriguez shine as workhorse running backs, ending their careers at No. 1 and No. 3 on the program’s career rushing yards list.

Kentucky averaged 139.6 rushing yards per game with Rodriguez available this season and just 81.5 per game without him. So how will the Wildcats account for his departure?

Backup running backs Kavosiey Smoke and Mike Drennen have already entered the transfer portal. JuTahn McClain, La’Vell Wright and Dee Beckwith are set to return, but reinforcements will be needed.

Vanderbilt transfer Ray Davis has already visited Kentucky. Recruits Jamarion Wilcox and Trey Cornist are among the Wildcats’ top remaining targets in the high school class of 2023.

It seems likely Kentucky’s 2023 rushing attack will more closely resemble the 2019 squad that saw carries split among A.J. Rose, Rodriguez and Smoke than the years Snell or Rodriguez took on the bulk of the workload alone.

Here is a look at how the three potential newcomers and three returners could change Kentucky’s rushing attack next season.

Returning running backs

JuTahn McClain

It should be noted Kentucky’s September rushing struggles while Rodriguez served a four-game suspension also coincided with an injury to McClain. By the end of the season, McClain had emerged as Rodriguez’s primary backup.

In McClain’s final four games, he averaged just less than 6 yards per carry. He also proved to be a capable pass-catcher with 15 receptions for 93 yards and one touchdown on the season.

“I think he’s a real natural zone runner,” former UK offensive coordinator Rich Scangarello said of McClain after the regular-season finale. “He’s a really good route runner. He’s very competitive. He’s good in protection. I trust him completely. I am excited for his future. One thing is he’s not the biggest guy, so durability will always be an issue, but he runs tough as heck. He’s been very, very good for us this year. I like where he’s at.”

Former UK offensive coordinator Liam Coen, who is considered the top candidate to replace Scangarello, was a fan of McClain’s versatile skillset during his previous season in Lexington, too. It is unlikely McClain takes on the same number of carries as Rodriguez, but he will be an important part of the 2023 rotation.

La’Vell Wright

It appeared Wright was poised to take advantage of Rodriguez’s suspension, but he disappeared from the rotation after Rodriguez’s return. Of his nine carries in Kentucky’s final eight games, eight came in the loss at Tennessee when injuries sidelined Rodriguez and Smoke.

Still, there is considerable promise on the table for the former North Hardin High School star. In two cameos during a redshirt season in 2021, Wright totaled nine carries for 118 yards and one touchdown. The Music City Bowl might not be more important for any other player as Wright figures to see an expanded role with only three scholarship running backs available.

Dee Beckwith

It is unclear if Beckwith will stay at running back long term, but the former Tennessee transfer figures to at least play there in the bowl game with depth a concern. He was first listed as a running back on UK’s roster this summer, but moved to wide receiver and tight end early in his Kentucky tenure before switching back to running back when more depth was needed at the position.

Beckwith’s only game action in his first season as a Wildcat came late in games where the outcome was already decided. He totaled five carries for 21 yards. At 6-foot-5, 230 pounds, Beckwith at least looks the part, but he will need to prove he can translate those physical gifts into on-field production.

Running back recruiting targets

Ray Davis

Kentucky fans are already familiar with the Vanderbilt transfer after he helped pave the way for the Commodores’ November upset of the Wildcats, which snapped a 26-game SEC losing streak. In that game, Davis totaled 26 carries for 129 yards and one touchdown. He finished the season with 1,042 rushing yards and five touchdowns.

While UK is considered the leader for Davis, he has received other interest in the transfer portal with Oklahoma State, Mississippi State, Missouri, California, Boston College and Colorado also extending offers. If Davis does pick Kentucky, he would be the closest option to the type of workhorse role filled by Rodriguez and Snell. The 5-foot-9, 205-pound running back, who started his college career at Temple, has already topped the 100-yard plateau four times in eight SEC games.

Jamarion Wilcox

A four-star recruit according to Rivals, Wilcox recently cut his list of options to four finalists: Kentucky, Ohio State, Clemson and Auburn. Wilcox took just one official visit during the season, to Kentucky in October. He tallied more than 2,000 rushing yards with 29 touchdowns as a senior at South Paulding High School in Georgia. Kentucky has the longest relationship with Wilcox of any of his finalists. He also probably has the clearest path to immediate carries in Lexington, too.

Trey Cornist

It seems safe to say that Wilcox is the top target for Kentucky among the high school running backs it is still in contact with, but it is likely Stoops takes multiple running backs in the class. Kentucky previously held commitments from Frankfort’s Kaden Moorman and Khalifa Keith in the class but both running backs decommitted to look at other options. If Kentucky does take a second high school running back or Wilcox picks a different school, Cornist is the top option. He hails from Winton Woods High School in Cincinnati, which previously sent Kentucky Mike Edwards and Chris Oats. West Virginia, Kansas State, Louisville, Tulane, East Carolina and Michigan State are also in the running.

Music City Bowl

Kentucky vs. Iowa

When: Noon Saturday, Dec. 31

Where: Nissan Stadium in Nashville

Records: Kentucky (7-5, 3-5 SEC), Iowa (7-5, 5-4 Big Ten)

TV: ABC-36

Series: Kentucky leads 1-0

Last meeting: Kentucky won 20-17 on Jan. 1 in the Citrus Bowl in Orlando, Fla.

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