Kentucky built its roster early in the Mark Stoops era by loading up on talent from the state of Ohio. In case you didn’t know, I-75 is a two-way street. Chip Trayanum was supposed to be Kentucky’s bell-cow back in 2024, but a preseason injury sidelined the Akron native for all but three games. He […]
Kentucky built its roster early in the Mark Stoops era by loading up on talent from the state of Ohio. In case you didn’t know, I-75 is a two-way street.
Chip Trayanum was supposed to be Kentucky’s bell-cow back in 2024, but a preseason injury sidelined the Akron native for all but three games. He hit the transfer portal for his final season and landed at Toledo. He’s expected to be a featured player for the Rockets when he returns to Lexington in a blue and yellow uniform.
Trayanum isn’t the only former Kentucky running back to play at Kroger Field, and he isn’t the only former Kentucky running back on this year’s roster.
There is a large segment of Kentucky fans who fear that Trayanum may use his frustrating season in Lexington as fuel for a dominant performance against the Cats. That was also the case back in 2019 when Bryant Koback returned to Kentucky.
Koback showed promise in a small role as a freshman, but sought out a larger role closer to home. After racking up nearly 1,000 yards as a freshman, he opened his sophomore campaign at Kentucky. The Cats kept him in check, limiting Koback to 73 yards and a touchdown in a 38-24 win. Koback tallied 1,187 yards that fall, and ultimately finished his career with 4,026 yards in the MAC to secure a spot on an NFL practice squad.
Remember Michael Drennen? He was a significant addition late in the 2020 recruiting class when the four-star talent picked the Cats over USC. Known as Donut, that’s essentially how much he did during his time at Kentucky. After two seasons, he left Lexington. It took some time, but he ultimately landed at Toledo. He had seven carries in 2023, none last fall, but is still on the roster ahead of the 2025 season.
Cavon Butler was much more productive for the Rockets last fall. In his final season of eligibility, the former Kentucky defensive tackle had 48 tackles, 5.5 TFLs, and 3.5 sacks.
Kentucky knows that Toledo has plenty to play for against an SEC foe. After the Rockets dominated Mississippi State a year ago, they aren’t taking this challenge lightly.
“We understand what’s coming here. We’re going to have to be really, really prepared and dialed in,” said defensive coordinator Brad White.
Category: General Sports
