Former Kentucky All-American offensive lineman Bunchy Stallings still remembers the impact then offensive line coach John Schlarman had on him and others before his passing.
“Schlarman still influences me,” said Stallings, “I still think about him all the time. He never liked to yell it unless the situation really needed it. I remember times when coach Schlarman would yell and you knew if he raised his voice it had to be important for him to get the point across. He always treated people around him so well. I never forgot that.”
Stallings played in the NFL two years and then had COVID shut down football when he was trying to catch on with smaller professional leagues. He went to work in the corporate world but football was all in his passion and now he is the assistant coach at East Jessamine High School.
Even though his last season at UK was 2018 when Benny Snell set the career rushing record, Stalling still tries to go around the UK football program to talk with some players.
“I at least want to be somebody who can encourage them and tell them you got to stick to it. It starts in the weight room and I tell them to make sure we are doing that the right way and everything else will fall in place,” Stallings said. “Make sure you are living right.
“I tell them the biggest thing I fought for was to make sure I had a good relationship with the guys around me. Our guys loved each other when I played. We are always with each other and that makes a difference.”
That offensive line continuity made me wonder about UK’s potential plan to start four, or maybe five, transfers in the offensive line in 2025 even with starting guards Jalen Farmer and Jager Burton returning.
Kentucky offensive line coach Eric Wolford brought in five offensive linemen from the portal — Bowling Green tackle Alex Wollschlaeger, Western Kentucky center Evan Wibberley, New Mexico State left tackle Shiyazh Pete, Arkansas guard Josh Braun and New Mexico tackle/guard Wallace Unamba.
Stallings said the transfer portal has created a different world for college football.
“The guys we did get all have one or two years (of eligibility) left. They have all played a lot of football. They should be able to plug in and go, but I would not be surprised if we play a rotational style,” Stallings said. “We have a bunch of younger guys who are able to play and it could come down to who feels comfortable with each other but I do believe one of the tackles and the center start for sure.”
Stallings felt UK coach Mark Stoops and Wolford had to bring in competition, something UK missed last year, to rebuild the offensive line.
“When you have great competition that makes you appreciate going out there and fighting for this name across your chest,” Stallings said. “We talk about the Big Blue Wall and I see all this and that but it really is a mentality. It was always a group of people who dd not give up and no matter what defenses did we were running the ball.”
Stallings was the run game coordinator for East Jessamine High School last year and will also be coaching the offensive line this season. He enjoyed meeting with head coach Trenton Fields last season and was the coach’s “eyes in the (press) box” which was a new role for him.
“I think this will be a really fun year. I have some things in mind to show people what I can do with the players I have,” the former Kentucky All-American said. “We are going to put the work in. What I learned from Schlarman and how to go about things the right way is really needed in today’s world.
“My long-term goal is to gain all the experience I can and move up as high as I can if I get the chance. I would love to land a college position one day and help as many players as I can understand what it takes to be successful.”
