Mark Stoops states paying players is a good thing to help players transition to SEC

NIL and the transfer portal have gone hand in hand over the past half decade. In the SEC and around the country, it has become a staple of the college football landscape.

Debate over whether it’s good for college athletics or not rages on, but Kentucky head coach Mark Stoops shared an interesting perspective on how being able to pay players has helped his program. He’s seen first-hand how motivated athletes are to becoming their best selves in the modern age.

“I think one thing I’ve seen possibly different, that’s a good thing, as players or players are getting paid. You know, that business-like approach is a good thing. I mean, they’re really dialed in,” Stoops said. “There’s some guys that needed to get stronger, needed to get bigger, and they’re coming up in there. They’re doing that.”

Stoops pointed toward offensive linemen Alex Wollschlaeger and Evan Wibberley as two players in particular who have made strides to improve this offseason. Both are incoming transfers from Group of 5 conferences and have a chip on their shoulder that they can compete at the SEC level.

“As you can see, we’ve got some got some bodies and some experience and some strength there,” Stoops continued. “You know, and really, I could go on and on with the (entire) team. After last season, we had a meeting and looked at all facets of the program.”

Last season’s offensive line didn’t live up to the standards set by the Big Blue Wall during the John Schlarman era. However, Stoops recruited with the intent of filling in the gaps exposed by last season’s woes. In turn, Stoops and staff pieced together the No. 14 overall transfer portal class in the country this offseason.

Some key names from the transfer portal that Kentucky fans may hear often as the season begins includes QB Zach Calzada and WRs Kendrick Law and JJ Hester. Defensively, DL David Gusta is the crown jewel of Stoops’ transfer portal class, coming in as the 44th highest-ranked transfer in the 2025 cycle.

All of these players will have an opportunity to play college football at the highest level in Lexington this season. Not only that, but they’ll be paid handsomely to do it.

Their effort begins on Aug. 30 against Toledo. However, Kentucky will kick its season into full gear early with Ole Miss coming to town for Week 2. The Rebels will be seeking revenge after last season’s upset, while the Wildcats are looking to play spoiler for the second year in a row.