As Kentucky fans count down the final days before the 2025 football season kicks off, analytics are offering a revealing glimpse of what lies ahead. National metric analyst Kelley Ford projects a blueprint that may not thrill highlight-seekers but could spell success: Kentucky’s path runs through defense and special teams.
The surprise comes in the third phase of the game. Traditionally inconsistent, special teams is suddenly projected to be among the best in the nation. Ford’s model ranks Kentucky’s unit 12th nationally with a 91.1 rating. At the center is punter Aidan Laros, whose booming leg has become a hidden weapon.