Hello everyone and welcome back to the final installment of our series looking at the 2025 Kentucky Wildcats. A huge thank you to everyone who’s been along for the ride. In case you missed them the last few focused on the defense. First, it was the linebackers followed by the secondary. Today we’re wrapping up with the special teams. It may not be the first thing you think of with your team. However, if your group is struggling you’ll certainly notice it. Let’s get right to it with our 2025 Kentucky Spring Preview: Special Teams.
A Couple Of Holes To Fill
Despite the 4-8 record in 2024 Mark Stoops and his staff must replace numerous big-time contributors. That includes special team as well. Alex Raynor came to Kentucky after transferring from Georgia Southern. He left Lexington as one of the most decorated kickers in school history.
During his two years in Lexington, he hit on 25 of 27 field goals including 18 in a row, the sixth-best streak in SEC history. In addition, his 93.8 field goal percentage broke the school record Raynor set in 2023. As a result, he made first-team All-SEC.
Another huge hole to fill comes on the return team. The most prolific kick returner in league history, Barion Brown, will be returning kicks for LSU in 2025. During his time in Kentucky Brown took five to the house setting an SEC record and 11th all-time in NCAA history.
Now that we’ve talked about who’s gone from last year as we continue with our 2025 Kentucky Spring Preview: Secondary let’s talk about who’s here.
Taking That Next Step
Replacing Raynor at kicker will be redshirt freshman Jacob Kauwe. He played in one game in 2024 handling kickoff duties against Murray State. During that contest, he had four touchbacks on seven kicks. Kauwe was ranked as one of the nation’s 20 best high school kickers by Kohl’s Professional Camps. Furthermore, he won the Kohl’s kicking kick-off competition in 2023.
While Kauwe has some impressive stats the kickoff specialist job goes to Aidan Laros. The senior transferred to Kentucky before last season after two years at Tennessee-Martin and one at Charlotte. In addition, he is the Wildcats’ punter.
Laros took over for Wilson Berry as UK punter for the last nine games of the season. He finished sixth in the SEC with a 45.4-yard average per punt. On 32 punts Laros put 11 inside the 20, had 10 fair catches, and 10 punts of over 50 yards. His season-long was a 66-yarder against Texas. He was an FCS All-American while at Tennessee-Martin.
As we mentioned he handled kickoff duties recording 32 touchbacks on 49 kicks.
Finishing up our 2025 Kentucky Spring Preview: Special Teams let’s look at the candidates for the return position.
Who Replaces Brown?
The role of kick returner will be helmed by Alabama transfer Kendrick Law. During his three years in Tuscaloosa, Law averaged 24.4 yards per return. In 2023 he ranked fifth in the SEC with 404 return yards and fourth in yards per return with 23.8. A season ago Law only had five kick returns but averaged 26.2 yards. He likely will see double duty as the primary punt returner as well.
Another player counted on to return punts is Ja’Mori Maclin. He handled that job in 2024 averaging 7.4 yards on 14 returns. Freshman Quintin Simmons out of Cincinnati is another player who could help on kick returns. He handled kick and punt duties for his Withrow High School squad.
Finally long snapper Alex McLaughlin returns for another season. He was solid last year at a position the Cats have had problems with in the past.
Final Thoughts
Many thought Kentucky would pursue a kicker in the transfer portal. However, that was not the case. It’s always possible they will look at one after the spring, but it certainly looks like UK is rolling with Kauwe. On the punting side, Laros has all-SEC potential.
Thanks for checking out our 2025 Kentucky Spring Preview: Special Teams at Last Word On College Football.
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