SEC Football: Preseason power rankings for 2023 season
By Matt Melton
6. Kentucky Wildcats
Falling just short of the top five is Kentucky, who sits at No. 6 in our 2023 preseason SEC football power rankings entering year No. 11 under head coach Mark Stoops.
The Wildcats are coming off a year in which they posted a 7-6 overall record, as well as a 3-5 mark in SEC play. Falling in the Music City Bowl to conclude the season, this would be a bit of a down year for the Wildcats, considering Kentucky posted their second 10-win season under Stoops in 2021.
Looking at Kentucky’s returning production, likely the Wildcats biggest names on offense come at wide receiver, where Barion Brown, Dane Key, and Tayvion Robinson are all back. A few others are also back offensively, while D’Eyrk Jackson, Jordan Lovett, Trevin Wallace, and J.J. Weaver all return to lead the Wildcats defense.
The Wildcats have also added key additions at positions of need during the offseason via transfer, with some of the biggest being that of NC State quarterback Devin Leary, Vanderbilt running back Ray Davis, and Northern Illinois offensive lineman Marques Cox. Another notable addition is that of Cincinnati defensive back JQ Hardaway, along with a few others likely to see time.
Kentucky will officially open the 2023 season during Week 1 with a home matchup against Ball State.