2016 Kentucky Wildcats football team

American college football season January 2026 February 2026 2016 Kentucky Wildcats football Kentucky Wildcats logo.svg Kentucky Wildcats logo Southeastern Conference Eastern Division SEC 7–6 4–4 Mark Stoops 4th Eddie Gran 1st Darin Hinshaw 1st D. J. Eliot 4th Spread 3–4 or 4–3 Commonwealth Stadium TaxSlayer Bowl L Lost 18–33 vs. Georgia Tech The 2016 Kentucky Wildcats football team (variously "Kentucky", "UK", or "Wildcats") represented the University of Kentucky in the 2016 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The season was the program's 123rd overall and 83rd as a member of the Southeastern Conference (SEC). They were led by fourth-year head coach Mark Stoops and the played home games at Commonwealth Stadium in Lexington, Kentucky. They finished the season 7–6, 4–4 in SEC play to finish in a three-way tie for second place in the Eastern Division. They were invited to the TaxSlayer Bowl where they lost to Georgia Tech. Preseason Departures Name Number Pos. Height Weight Year Hometown Notes Daron Blaylock #7 LB 6'1" 226 Senior Marietta, GA Graduated Zack Blaylock #17 DB 6'0" 193 Junior Marietta, GA Graduated Glenn Faulkner #18 DB 6'2" 201 Junior East St. Louis, IL Graduated Ryan Flannigan #33 LB 6'2" 225 Senior Missouri City, TX Graduated Josh Forrest #45 LB 6'3" 230 Senior Paducah, KY Graduated Jason Hatcher #6 DE 6'3" 247 Junior Louisville, KY Transferred to West Georgia Khalid Henderson #22 LB 6'1" 235 Senior Austell, GA Graduated Farrington Huguenin #91 DE 6'4" 271 Senior Columbia, SC Graduated Cory Johnson #67 DT 6'3" 300 Senior Columbia, SC Graduated Jabari Johnson #47 LB 6'1" 250 Senior Stone Mountain, GA Graduated Melvin Lewis #90 DT 6'4" 311 Senior Compton, CA Graduated Cody Quinn #16 DB 5'11" 185 Senior Middletown, OH Graduated A.J. Stamps #1 DB 6'1" 205 Senior Vicksburg, MS Graduated Jordan Swindle #70 OL 6'7" 304 Senior Jacksonville, FL Graduated Fred Tiller #3 DB 6'0" 196 Senior Homerville, GA Graduated Patrick Towles #14 QB 6'3" 235 Junior Fort Thomas, KY Transferred to Boston College Zach West #67 OL 6'3" 305 Senior Lexington, KY Graduated 2016 signing class American football positions Glossary of American football Recruiting (college athletics) Prior to National Signing Day on February 3, 2016, five players enrolled for the spring semester in order to participate in spring practice and included four former high school seniors and one junior college transfer.http://www.courier-journal.com/story/sports/college/kentucky/2016/01/13/uk-adds-five-early-enrollees-2016-class/78730632/ UK adds five early enrollees from 2016 class January 16, 2016 January 16, 2016 Courier-Journal Hale, Jon On National Signing Day, Kentucky signed an additional twenty players out of high school and junior college that completed the 2016 recruiting class. The class was highlighted by three Army All-American's as well as Kentucky's Mr. Football.http://www.kentucky.com/sports/high-school/article53717265.html UK adds five early enrollees from 2016 class January 8, 2016 January 8, 2016 Lexington Herald-Leader Moore, Josh yes yes 2016 Jaylin Bannerman #62 DE Pickerington, OH Pickerington Central High School 6 6 215 Jordan Bonner #4 LB (JUCO) Lyndhurst, OH Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College 6 5 215 T. J. Carter #57 DE Mableton, GA Whitefield Academy 6 4 245 JaQuize Cross #83 DT New Market, AL Buckhorn High School 6 3 310 Kash Daniel #11 LB Paintsville, KY Paintsville High School 6 1 227 Luke Fortner #117 OT Sylvania, OH Sylvania Northview High School 6 5 278 Tobias Gilliam #69 DB Dayton, OH Wayne High School 6 0 185 Jordan Griffin #37 DB Jonesboro, GA Jonesboro High School 6 1 170 Gunnar Hoak #40 QB Dublin, OH Dublin Coffman High School 6 4 190 Dakota Holtzclaw #42 TE Columbus, OH Worthington Kilbourne High School 6 7 215 Zy'Aire Hughes #52 ATH Paducah, KY McCracken County High School 5 11 180 Drake Jackson #2 C Versailles, KY Woodford County High School 6 2 290 Stephen Johnson #5 QB (JUCO) Rancho Cucamonga, CA College of the Desert 6 3 195 Tate Leavitt #5 OT (JUCO) Thornville, OH Hutchinson Community College 6 6 295 Kordell Looney #57 DT Springfield, OH Springfield High School 6 4 285 Grant McKinniss #5 P/K Findlay, OH Findlay High School 6 1 190 Naquez Pringle #28 DT (JUCO) Georgetown, SC Itawamba Community College 6 3 330 Justin Rigg #64 TE Springboro, OH Springboro High School 6 6 240 Davonte Robinson #92 DB Lexington, KY Henry Clay High School 6 1 165 A. J. Rose #80 RB Cleveland, OH Garfield Heights High School 6 2 185 Kayaune Ross #18 WR (JUCO) West Chester, OH Phoenix College 6 6 220 Benny Snell #56 RB Westerville, OH Westerville Central High School 5 11 200 Roland Walder #36 LB Dayton, OH Trotwood-Madison High School 6 3 220 Jamar Watson #112 LB District Heights, MD Bishop McNamara High School 6 2 220 Landon Young #6 OT Lexington, KY Lafayette High School 6 7 270 2016 2016 Kentucky Football Commitment List 2016 Kentucky Commits 2016 Players Commitments – Kentucky Kentucky Kentucky February 3, 2016 collapsible Personnel Coaching staff Kentucky head coach Mark Stoops enters his fourth season as the Wildcat's head coach for the 2016 season. During his previous three seasons he led the Wildcats to an overall record of 12 wins and 24 losses. On December 18, 2015, offensive coordinator Shannon Dawson announced he would not return to the program for the 2016 season as the offensive coordinator.Shannon Dawson out as Kentucky OC Jon Hale http://www.courier-journal.com/story/sports/college/kentucky/2015/12/17/report-shannon-dawson-out-uk-oc/77480196/ The Courier-Journal Louisville December 18, 2015 December 18, 2015Kentucky's Shannon Dawson won't return next season Jennifer Smith http://www.kentucky.com/sports/college/kentucky-sports/uk-football/article50245750.html Lexington Herald-Leader December 18, 2015 December 18, 2015 In his place Kentucky hired Cincinnati offensive coordinator Eddie Gran as the assistant head coach of offense at Kentucky. Cincinnati quarterbacks coach Darin Hinshaw has also joined the UK staff as quarterbacks coach and co-offensive coordinator.Gran, Hinshaw join Kentucky football staff Jon Hale http://www.courier-journal.com/story/sports/college/kentucky/2015/12/29/source-gran-hinshaw-join-uk-staff/78011934/ The Courier-Journal Louisville December 19, 2014 April 10, 2015UK football hires Cincinnati's Eddie Gran to be assistant head coach of the offense Jennifer Smith http://www.kentucky.com/sports/college/kentucky-sports/uk-football/article52048175.html Lexington Herald-Leader December 29, 2015 December 29, 2015 Kentucky Wildcats Name Position Consecutive season atKentucky in current position Mark Stoops Head coach 3rd Eddie Gran Offensive coordinator, Running backs 1st D. J. Eliot Defensive coordinator 3rd Steve Clinkscale Defensive backs 1st Jimmy Brumbaugh Defensive line 3rd Lamar Thomas Wide receivers 1st Vince Marrow Tight ends, recruiting coordinator 3rd John Schlarman Offensive line 3rd Darin Hinshaw Quarterbacks 1st Matt House Special teams coordinator, inside linebackers 1st Corey Edmond Strength and conditioning 1stReference: 2016 signing class American football positions Glossary of American football Recruiting (college athletics) Returning starters Offense Player Class Position Dorian Baker Junior Wide receiver C. J. Conrad Sophomore Tight end Nick Haynes RS-Junior Offensive guard Garrett Johnson Junior Wide receiver Ramsey Meyers RS-Junior Offensive guard Jon Toth Senior Center Stanley Williams Junior Running backReference: Defense Player Class Position Mike Edwards RS-Sophomore Safety Blake McClain Senior Safety Denzil Ware RS=Sophomore Linebacker Chris Westry Sophomore CornerbackReference: Special teams Player Class Position Austin MacGinnis Junior KickerReference: Roster 2016 Kentucky Wildcats y 1 SR Ryan Timmons WR 2 JR Dorian Baker WR 3 SR Jojo Kemp RB 6 JR Blake Bone WR 7 SO Drew Barker QB 8 FR Jabari Greenwood WR 9 JR Garrett Johnson WR 10 FR A. J. Rose RB y y 11 FR Tavin Richardson WR 12 FR Gunnar Hoak QB 13 JR Jeff Badet WR y 14 SO Luke Wright QB y 15 JR Stephen Johnson QB 16 FR Davis Mattingly QB 17 JR Alexander Montgomery WR 18 JR Stanley Williams RB 19 SO Kayaune Ross WR 20 SO Ryan Kendall WR 22 SO Sihiem King RB 24 FR Zach Johnson RB 25 FR Harold Turks RB 26 FR Benny Snell RB y 30 FR Ditalian Tabler RB 31 SO David Bouvier WR 32 JR William Mahone RB 42 FR Kynan Smith WR 48 SR Will Collins FB 49 SR Tanner Fink TE 52 FR Drake Jackson C 55 SO David Baumer OG 57 SR Zach Myers OG 61 FR Tristen Salyer OG 62 JR Dylan Greenburg C 63 FR Wells Purdom OG 64 SO George Asafo-Adjei OG y 65 SO Jervontius Stallings OG 67 FR Landon Young OT y 68 JR Nick Haynes OG 69 JR Ramsey Meyers OG 71 FR Logan Stenberg OG y 72 SR Jon Toth C y 73 JR Kyle Meadows OT 74 JR Cole Mosier OG 75 JR Tate Leavitt OT 77 FR Mason Wolfe OT 80 FR Marvin Robinson WR 81 FR Dakota Holtzclaw WR 83 FR Justin Rigg TE 84 JR Charles Moushey WR 85 JR Greg Hart TE 86 SO Darryl Long TE 87 SO C. J. Conrad TE y 88 JR Charles Walker WR 89 FR Zy'Aire Hughes WR 3 FR Jordan Griffin CB 4 FR Marcus Walker S 5 JR Kendall Randolph CB 8 SO Kobie Walker LB 9 FR Davonte Robinson CB 11 JR J.D. Harmon CB 14 FR Dorian Hendrix LB 15 SR Marcus McWilson S 16 SR Cody Quinn CB 17 FR Tobias Gilliam CB 20 SO Kengera Daniel DE 21 SO Chris Westry CB y 23 SO Jared Tucker DB 24 SR Blake McClain DB 25 SO Darius West S 27 SO Mike Edwards S y Mike Edwards (safety) 28 FR Kei Beckham CB 29 SO Derrick Baity CB 30 FR Isaiah Brown CB 31 FR Jamar Watkins LB 32 FR Eli Brown LB 33 FR Roland Walder LB 34 SO Jordan Jones LB 35 SO Denzil Ware DE 36 JR Jacob Hyde DT 37 SO Spencer Foy LB 38 FR Alex Brownell LB 39 FR Elijah Barnett LB 40 SO Nico Firios LB 41 SO Josh Allen LB y Josh Hines-Allen 43 SO Logan Blue LB 44 JR De'Niro Laster LB 45 FR Jaylin Bannerman LB 46 FR Drew Schlegel LB 47 FR Jordan Bonner LB 51 JR Courtney Love y Courtney Love (American football) LB 59 FR Kordell Looney DT 60 FR Calvin Taylor DE 69 JR Matt Elam DT 77 JR Naquez Pringle DT 78 SR Zane Williams DT 90 FR T. J. Carter DE y T. J. Carter (defensive lineman) 91 FR Kevin Kirby DE 92 JR Alvonte Bell DE 93 FR Ja'Quize Cross DT 94 SR Courtney Miggins DT 98 SO Tymere Dubose DE 99 SO Adrian Middleton DT 53 FR Blake Best LS 80 FR Grant McKinniss P 93 SO Bryan Kirshe P 1 SR Ryan Timmons PR 88 JR Charles Walker PR 95 SO Miles Butler PK 99 JR Austin MacGinnis PK y 22 SO Sihiem King KR http://www.ukathletics.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/kty-m-footbl-mtt.html May 7, 2015 Mark StoopsFootball – 2015 Coaches http://www.ukathletics.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/m-footbl-coaches.html University of Kentucky Department of Intercollegiate Athletics May 7, 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20120103222550/http://www.ukathletics.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/m-footbl-coaches.html January 3, 2012 dead Eddie Gran Offensive coordinator/running backs Darin Hinshaw Quarterbacks coach Lamar ThomasWide receivers Vince MarrowTight ends John SchlarmanOffensive line D. J. EliotDefensive coordinator/linebackers Jimmy BrumbaughDefensive line Steve ClinkscaleDefensive backs Schedule Kentucky announced its 2016 football schedule on October 29, 2015. The 2016 schedule consists of 7 home and 5 away games in the regular season. The Wildcats will host SEC foes Georgia, Mississippi State, South Carolina, and Vanderbilt, and will travel to Alabama, Florida, Missouri, and Tennessee.http://www.ukathletics.com/news/football-s-2016-schedule-announced-10-29-2015 Football's 2016 Schedule Announced University of Kentucky Department of Athletics October 29, 2015 November 27, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20151207001603/http://www.ukathletics.com/news/football-s-2016-schedule-announced-10-29-2015# December 7, 2015 dead The team will host three out of four of its non–conference games which are against Austin Peay from the Ohio Valley Conference, New Mexico State Aggies from the Sun Belt Conference, Louisville from the Atlantic Coast Conference, and Southern Miss Golden Eagles from Conference USA. 2016 AP Poll released prior to game Eastern September 3 7:30 p.m. l y Southern Miss Commonwealth Stadium Lexington, KY ESPNU 35–44 57,230 September 10 3:30 p.m. l y Florida rivalry Ben Hill Griffin Stadium Gainesville, FL CBS 7–45 85,821 September 17 4:00 p.m. w y New Mexico State Commonwealth Stadium Lexington, KY SECN 62–42 49,669 September 24 7:30 p.m. w South Carolina Commonwealth Stadium Lexington, KY SECN 17–10 51,702 October 1 7:00 p.m. l y Alabama 2 Bryant–Denny Stadium Tuscaloosa, AL ESPN 6–34 101,821 October 8 4:00 p.m. w Vanderbilt † rivalry Commonwealth Stadium Lexington, KY SECN 20–13 55,030 October 22 7:30 p.m. w Mississippi State SEC Nation Commonwealth Stadium Lexington, KY SECN 40–38 50,414 October 29 12:00 p.m. w y Missouri Faurot Field Columbia, MO SECN 35–21 50,234 November 5 7:30 p.m. l Georgia Commonwealth Stadium Lexington, KY SECN 24–27 62,507 November 12 12:00 p.m. l y Tennessee rivalry Neyland Stadium Knoxville, TN SECN 36–49 101,075 November 19 4:30 p.m. w y Austin Peay Commonwealth Stadium Lexington, KY SECN 49–13 48,948 November 26 12:00 p.m. w y y Louisville 11 Governor's Cup Papa John's Cardinal Stadium Louisville, KY ESPN 41–38 54,075 December 31 11:00 a.m. l y y Georgia Tech TaxSlayer Bowl EverBank Field Jacksonville, FL ESPN 18–33 43,102 Schedule source:2016 Kentucky Wildcats Football Schedule http://www.fbschedules.com/ncaa-16/2016-kentucky-wildcats-football-schedule.php FB Schedules November 27, 2015 Game summaries Southern Mississippi Kentucky Wildcats ;text-align:center; autocollapse Southern Mississippi vs. Kentucky September 3, 2016 7:32 p.m. EST Golden Eagles 7 10 21 6 21 14 0 0 Wildcats Commonwealth Stadium, Lexington, Kentucky 57,230 Temperature: 76 F • Wind ENE 7 mph on • Weather: Sunny Ken Antee ESPNU Anish Shroff (play-by-play), Ahmad Brooks (analyst) Game RecapWildcats Drop Opener to Southern Miss Deb Moore http://www.ukathletics.com/news/wildcats-drop-opener-to-southern-miss-09-03-2016 University of Kentucky Department of Athletics September 3, 2016 September 3, 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160907183739/http://www.ukathletics.com/news/wildcats-drop-opener-to-southern-miss-09-03-2016# September 7, 2016 dead Florida Kentucky Wildcats ;text-align:center; autocollapse Kentucky vs. Florida September 10, 2016 3:30 p.m. EST Wildcats 0 0 0 7 Gators 14 10 14 7 Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, Gainesville, Florida 85,821 Temperature: • Wind: • Weather: CBS Verne Lundquist (play-by-play), Gary Danielson (analyst) New Mexico State Kentucky Wildcats ;text-align:center; autocollapse New Mexico State vs. Kentucky September 17, 2016 4:30 p.m. EST Aggies 21 14 7 0 Wildcats 14 21 14 13 Commonwealth Stadium, Lexington, Kentucky 49,669 Temperature: • Wind: • Weather: SEC Network South Carolina Kentucky Wildcats ;text-align:center; autocollapse South Carolina vs. Kentucky September 24, 2016 7:30 p.m. EST Gamecocks 0 7 3 0 Wildcats 0 3 7 7 Commonwealth Stadium, Lexington, Kentucky 51,702 Temperature: • Wind: • Weather: SEC Network Alabama Kentucky Wildcats ;text-align:center; autocollapse Kentucky vs. Alabama October 1, 2016 7:00 p.m. EST Wildcats 3 0 0 3 #1 Crimson Tide 3 14 14 3 Bryant–Denny Stadium, Tuscaloosa, Alabama 101,821 Temperature: • Wind: • Weather: ESPN Vanderbilt Kentucky Wildcats ;text-align:center; autocollapse Vanderbilt vs. Kentucky October 8, 2016 4:00 p.m. EST Commodores 3 0 7 3 Wildcats 7 10 0 3 Commonwealth Stadium, Lexington, Kentucky 55,030 Temperature: • Wind: • Weather: SEC Network Mississippi State Kentucky Wildcats ;text-align:center; autocollapse Mississippi State vs. Kentucky October 22, 2016 7:30pm EST Bulldogs 0 14 10 14 Wildcats 0 6 21 13 Commonwealth Stadium, Lexington, Kentucky 50,414 Temperature: • Wind: • Weather: SEC Network Missouri Kentucky Wildcats ;text-align:center; autocollapse Kentucky vs. Missouri October 29, 2016 12:00 NOON EST Wildcats 7 14 7 7 Tigers 0 7 0 14 Faurot Field, Columbia, Missouri 50,234 Temperature: • Wind: • Weather: SEC Network Georgia Kentucky Wildcats ;text-align:center; autocollapse Georgia vs. Kentucky November 5, 2016 7:30 p.m. EST Bulldogs 7 6 3 11 Wildcats 7 7 7 3 Commonwealth Stadium, Lexington, Kentucky 62,507 Temperature: • Wind: • Weather: SEC Network Tennessee Kentucky Wildcats ;text-align:center; autocollapse Kentucky vs. Tennessee November 12, 2016 12:00 NOON EST Wildcats 10 3 3 20 Volunteers 14 7 14 14 Neyland Stadium, Knoxville, Tennessee 101,075 Temperature: • Wind: • Weather: SEC Network Austin Peay Kentucky Wildcats ;text-align:center; autocollapse Austin Peay vs. Kentucky November 19, 2016 4:30 p.m. EST Governors 7 6 0 0 Wildcats 0 21 21 7 Commonwealth Stadium, Lexington, Kentucky 48,948 Temperature: • Wind: • Weather: SEC Network Louisville Governor's Cup (Kentucky) Kentucky Wildcats ;text-align:center; autocollapse Kentucky Wildcats at #11 Louisville Cardinals November 26, 2016 12:00 p.m. EST Wildcats 14 7 10 10 #11 Cardinals 7 17 7 7 Papa John's Cardinal Stadium • Louisville, Kentucky ESPN Mike Patrick (play-by-play), Ed Cunningham (color), Dr. Jerry Punch (sideline) Source:http://www.espn.com/college-football/boxscore?gameId=400869071 ESPN Box Score: Kentucky at Louisville First Quarter (12:57) LOU TD: Lamar Jackson 19-yard rush (Blanton Creque PAT). (12:39) UK TD: Stephen Johnson 75-yard pass to Garrett Johnson (Austin MacGinnis PAT). (4:07) UK TD: Stanley Williams 36-yard rush (Austin MacGinnis PAT). Second Quarter (14:54) LOU TD: Lamar Jackson 18-yard pass to Reggie Bonnafon (Blanton Creque PAT). (8:13) LOU FG: Blanton Creque 19-yard field goal. (3:09) LOU TD: Lamar Jackson 24-yard pass to Cole Hikutini (Blanton Creque PAT). (2:13) UK TD: Stephen Johnson 63-yard pass to Garrett Johnson (Austin MacGinnis PAT). Third Quarter (10:58) UK TD: Benny Snell 18-yard rush (Austin MacGinnis PAT). (9:19) LOU TD: Jeremy Smith 3-yard rush (Blanton Creque PAT). (2:43) UK FG: Austin MacGinnis 35-yard field goal. Fourth Quarter (14:19) UK TD: Stephen Johnson 35-yard pass to Dorian Baker (Austin MacGinnis PAT). (7:44) LOU TD: Lamar Jackson 1-yard rush (Blanton Creque PAT). (0:12) UK FG: Austin MacGinnis 47-yard field goal. Top Passers UK – Stephen Johnson: 16/27, 338 yds, 3 TD, 1 INT LOU – Lamar Jackson: 16/25, 281 yds, 2 TD, 3 INT Top Rushers UK – Stephen Johnson: 8 att, 83 yds LOU – Lamar Jackson: 25 att, 171 yds, 2 TD Top Receiving UK – Garrett Johnson: 5 rec, 164 yds, 2 TD LOU – Cole Hikutini: 7 rec, 100 yds, 1 TD Georgia Tech 2016 TaxSlayer Bowl (December) Kentucky Wildcats ;text-align:center; autocollapse Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets vs Kentucky Wildcats December 31, 2016 Long Mark Georgia Tech tops Kentucky 33-18 in TaxSlayer AP News December 31, 2016 https://apnews.com/georgia-tech-tops-kentucky-33-18-in-taxslayer-5affc907e2c54cfe8e89f13dc44badd4 December 29, 2024 11:00 a.m. EST Yellow Jackets 10 10 3 10 Wildcats 0 3 0 15 EverBank Field • Jacksonville, Florida ESPN Source: References Kentucky Category:Kentucky Wildcats football seasons Kentucky Wildcats football