Jordan Prather-Imagn Images

Major SEC Program Reportedly Facing ‘Make-Or-Break’ Year In 2025

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By J.C. Shelton | Last updated May 24, 2025 2:16 AM ET

The transfer portal and Names, Image and Likeness era has forced teams to adapt. Roster attrition on a yearly basis is more pronounced than ever, and making efforts in retention, while also bolstering positions through the transfer and high school ranks, seem pivotal for success.

Longtime Kentucky head coach Mark Stoops hasn't adjusted to the new standard, according to an anonymous SEC coach polled by Athlon Sports.

“Stoops doesn’t seem like the guy who’s going to radically adjust to win in this NIL and portal era, and it’s starting to show up on the field," he said.

The Wildcats were in SEC contention back in 2021, winning 10 games and securing the fourth bowl win under Stoops. However, things have dropped off considerably over the last few years.

Kentucky posted back-to-back 7-6 seasons before dropping to 4-8 in 2024. It is the worst season for the program since Stoops' first season in 2013.

Given the surge from SEC foes like South Carolina and Vanderbilt, the 2025 season could be a "make-or-break" year.

“This is a make-or-break year for the future of this program," the coach said. "He’s got a very friendly contract that makes him hard to fire, but right now it’s hard to look at the overall roster here and think they’re keeping pace with programs like Vanderbilt and South Carolina, who changed with the time.”

Stoops received a contract extension in 2022 that committed him to Kentucky through the 2031 season. He currently holds a $9 million salary with a favorable buyout of $3 million, as of July of this year.

While the Wildcats might have not been as active in the transfer portal as other programs, Stoops and his staff appear to have increased that aspect in the 2025 cycle.

Kentucky signed a program-record 26 transfers, including seven four-stars. The class ranks 10th in the country (247Sports), the best output for the program to date. The challenge will be building cohesiveness with the new talent, as the Wildcats also lost 31 transfers.

Kentucky lost its top two wide receivers to transfer in Barion Brown and Dane Key. Stoops and Co. answered by signing multiple transfer wideouts, including Kendrick Law (Alabama), Troy Stellato (Clemson), J.J. Hester (Oklahoma), Hardley Gilmore IV (Nebraska) and Ashton Cozart (SMU).

Perhaps the biggest question remaining is at quarterback. Former Texas A&M and Auburn transfer Zach Calzada is expected to fill the role after spending last season at Incarnate Word.

And the SEC schedule is shaping up to be a tall task. Kentucky will host Ole Miss, Texas, Tennessee and Florida with road trips to South Carolina, Georgia, Auburn and Florida.

The Wildcats will open the 2025 season at home against Toledo on Aug. 30.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: