Franck Kepnang does not look like a player who’s gone through the kind of stop-and-start college career he’s had. At 7 feet and 275 pounds, Kentucky’s backup center arrives with a presence that shows up immediately, and so does the personality. He was all smiles with media members at a summer interview session and kept the same easy energy at Media Day earlier this week, laughing and joking as he talked.
That off-court warmth can be misleading, though. Kentucky coach Mark Pope made it clear that Kepnang is not some gentle giant once the ball goes up.
“I don’t know if you get more aggressive and physical than him,” Pope said. “He’s rounding into shape right now.
It’s been so fun to have him on the court. You know, guys get a little nervous about trying to take a charge when he’s around.
He’s a big body.”
Kepnang will be 25 when the season begins, and his path to Kentucky has covered plenty of ground. He spent two seasons at Oregon before four years at Washington, then transferred to Kentucky after a career that already includes 110 college games. Last season at Washington, he started 25 games, ranked third in the Big Ten with 55 blocks, and averaged 6.2 points and 6.3 rebounds while shooting 51.5 percent from the field.
Health has been the main issue along the way. Kepnang has been injury prone, playing in 20 or fewer games in four of his previous six seasons. He missed practice time this summer while working his way back into playing shape, but Pope said he’s now ready.
For Kepnang, that’s the point. After the stops and setbacks, just being on the floor again is enough to light him up.
“It’s a joy to be out there. It’s a joy to be out on the floor and compete.
When you’re off the floor, you miss the hard work. You miss being sore the next day.
You miss just being out there and competing,” he said.
“You miss failing. You miss going through the failures and trying to come back the next day and get better, and eventually get better every single day. Just a joy to be out there.”
That kind of attitude could make him a strong fit behind Malachi Moreno. Pope needs that backup spot to bring physical defense, rim protection and dependable team play, and Kepnang checks those boxes.
In Other News...
Kentuckys Offense May Hinge On One Thing Fans Arent Watching Yet
Mark Pope sounds encouraged about where Kentuckys offense could be headed in 2026-27, and the reason is pretty easy to understand. The Wildcats should have a group with real shooting punch, led by Milan Momcilovic and other capable perimeter threats, which gives Pope a foundation to build around as he shapes the next version of the roster. From a talent standpoint, the spacing potential is there, and that alone should matter to anyone trying to project how this team will score.
Still, Popes focus goes beyond just making shots. He has also pointed to cutting as a major part of the offense, which suggests Kentucky wants to create easier looks and keep defenses moving even on nights when the ball may not be flying in from deep. The shot-making will draw the headlines, but the way the Wildcats combine that shooting with disciplined movement could end up telling the bigger story of how effective this offense really becomes. [Read more 🡒]
Kentucky Heads Into South Carolina With Receiver Uncertainty And Thin Depth
Kentuckys trip to South Carolina comes with a little more uncertainty than Mark Stoops would probably like this early in SEC play, especially at receiver. The conferences first availability report for Week 5 put Grant Grayton out, while DJ Miller and Cole Marszalek were listed doubtful and Jay Clark questionable, leaving the Wildcats to sort through a thin group as they prepare for a road test that could demand more from the passing game.
There was at least one small positive on the report, with Tavion Gadson not listed, a sign he may be available. South Carolina, meanwhile, is dealing with its own personnel questions, as Stewart is suspended and Brownlow-Dindy remains uncertain after sitting out the previous game, so both sides head into the matchup without a full picture of who will actually be on the field when kickoff arrives. [Read more 🡒]
Kentuckys South Carolina Prep Suddenly Has A Receiver Concern
Kentuckys first SEC availability report ahead of Saturdays trip to South Carolina brought the kind of news that always gets attention this time of week, with the Wildcats sorting through a few injury designations before hitting the road. The report also surfaced an out status in the secondary, adding another layer of uncertainty as the team continues its preparation for an important conference matchup.
The bigger concern on offense, though, is the receiver group, where the Wildcats now have to account for a potential absence that could affect how they plan the passing game. With a busy Kentucky sports weekend ahead and basketball-related events also on the calendar, the football staff will keep its focus on cleaning up the picture before kickoff and waiting for the next update on who will be available. [Read more 🡒]