Episodes

Kentucky Stuns LSU Again: Walk-Off 2-Point OT Win, Power K Night, and What’s Next at Oklahoma Jarmon and Newton recap Kentucky’s second straight 35-34 overtime win on a walk-off two-point conversion, this time at Kroger Field against LSU in a Power K tribute game marked by an elite atmosphere, music, light show, and a field storm. They break down key moments including CJ Baxter’s 77-yard first-play TD run, LSU’s trick-play score, Brock Coffman’s punt return TD, strong linebacker play from Bar...

Kentucky Stuns South Carolina in OT, Honors Jeff Van Note, and Previews No. 10 LSU at Homecoming UK LetterWinners recap Kentucky’s 35–34 overtime win at South Carolina, highlighted by Will Stein’s premeditated decision to go for two and Kenny Minchey’s protection change and game-winning toss to Willie Rodriguez, completing the program’s biggest road comeback and first OT road win. They honor UK and Falcons legend Jeff Van Note and note the team’s season-long helmet sticker for Nick “Happy” Smit...

Kentucky Runs Wild vs South Alabama, But Rat Poison Looms at South Carolina | LetterWinner Podcast Jarmon and Newton recap Kentucky’s 45–21 win over South Alabama as Will Stein challenges the idea that this level is the standard despite a 3–1 start and No. 24 ranking. They break down a first half scare, halftime swing plays, and a dominant second half fueled by 390 rushing yards, three 100-yard backs, and praise for the “Big Blue Wall,” including advanced metrics showing strong run blocking and...

Kentucky Shocks No. 9 Texas A&M: 21-0 3rd Quarter, Minchey’s Clinic & Why UK Must Go All-In on Will Stein LetterWinners Jarmon and Newton recap Kentucky’s 31-21 road upset of No. 9 Texas A&M in late September 2026, highlighting a 21-0 third quarter, silencing 105,000 at Kyle Field, and Will Stein’s first SEC win, first road win, first ranked win, and first top-10 true road win by a first-year UK coach. They praise OC Joe Sloan and QB Kenny Minchey’s efficient 14-of-18, 250+ yard, 2-TD performan...

LetterWinners Jarmon and Newton break down Kentucky’s loss to Alabama, emphasizing an electric Kroger Field atmosphere, a strong first half fueled by Mi’Quise Humphrey-Grace’s pick-six and multiple defensive takeaways, and a second-half collapse marked by Alabama’s 32 straight points, UK’s net two rushing yards, and a 1-for-14 third-down day. They discuss Kenny Minchey’s SEC learning curve, Joe Sloan’s offensive plan, the fake punt’s impact, and Jay Bateman’s defense playing at a high level befo...

Will Stein Era Starts 1-0: Kentucky Dominates Youngstown State, Preps for Alabama Showdown The LetterWinners recap Kentucky’s season-opening 45–13 win over Youngstown State in extreme heat and a successful whiteout as the Will Stein era begins, highlighting Stein’s emotional return and the team’s clean, well-run operation. Jarmon and Newton break down Joe Sloan’s diverse, motion-heavy offense, praising Kenny Minchey’s poise and efficiency, the strong offensive line protection, productive screen...

Game Week in Lexington: Will Stein’s DNA, QB Talk, Transfer Portal Chaos & Pope Roster Talk | LetterWinner Pod Jarmon and Newton open year two of the LetterWinner Pod with game-week excitement as Kentucky kicks off Saturday vs. Youngstown State, discussing Will Stein’s emphasis on building “DNA,” impressions from fall camp and a scrimmage, and what they need to see early (Big Blue Wall, offensive efficiency, and creative game plans with Alabama looming). They recap LCA’s 1–0 high school start, ...

The LetterWinners open with a brief discussion on Kentucky’s spending on leadership changes, including Mitch Barnhart’s retirement details and Jay Batt’s discounted buyout from Michigan State, plus skepticism about “private money” claims. They touch on a court ruling affecting eligibility, the Protect College Sports Act and fears of Power Two consolidation and private-equity super leagues, and SEC/UK Media Day takeaways centered on new coach Will Stein’s confidence, roster turnover, new training...

Will Stein Won’t Call Plays? Kentucky’s New Era, Tough SEC Slate, NBA/WNBA Draft Cats & Ja Morant’s Fresh Start This episode dives into Kentucky football’s coaching change from Mark Stoops to new head coach Will Stein and the realization that Stein won’t call plays, exploring why fans expected his play-calling prowess, how Joe Sloan may fit, and how early games like Youngstown State and a Sept. 12 home matchup with Alabama will reveal the offense. The hosts discuss the difficulty of Kentucky’s ...

Jay Batt to Kentucky, College Sports Power Plays, and a 4th of July Grab Bag (World Cup, LeBron, McConnell, MJ) | LetterWinner Pod The episode opens with a wide-ranging LetterWinner Pod conversation around Independence Day, Kentucky’s 234th birthday, and mixed feelings about July 4th and Juneteenth. Jarmon and Newton discuss Kentucky hiring athletic director Jay Batt away from Michigan State amid reports of a $5 million buyout, his $2.6 million-plus compensation, MSU’s $401 million donation, an...

LetterWinner Pod: Remembering Nic Smith, the Future of College Sports & UK’s New Era Jeremy Jarmon and Morgan Newton open the LetterWinner Pod with sponsor notes and then react to the death of UK redshirt freshman defensive lineman Nic Smith, discussing the impact on his family, teammates, and the need for better mental-health support for athletes. They pivot to the shifting business and legal landscape of college sports, including proposed federal legislation, conference power plays by the SEC...

Jeremy Jarmon and Morgan Newton kick off Kentucky Derby season with lighthearted talk about betting at Churchill and Keeneland, JJ’s kindergarten Derby float, and what “responsible gambling” looks like. They pay tribute to Lexington Urban League leader PG Peeples and question how UK and its athletics department engaged with him and the Urban League. The hosts discuss top recruit Tyran Stokes’ UK visit and commitment to Kansas, contrasting it with momentum in UK women’s basketball as Kenny Brooks...

Jeremy Jarmon and Morgan Newton react to Memphis’ FB HC Huff banning practice music, arguing it’s an old-school “splash” that could hurt Gen Z recruiting and game-like preparation. They highlight Oscar Tshiebwe’s big recent G League stat lines with Utah and discuss how production can outweigh measurables, plus whether there’s still an NBA role for his skill set. The conversation turns to their lingering attachment to John Calipari, concerns about Mark Pope’s ability to close “Kentucky-caliber” r...

UK Basketball’s Rough Finish, Pope Pressure & Transfer Portal Outlook + Kentucky Football Spring Buzz On the LetterWinner, Jarmon, Newton, and Lewellen recap Kentucky basketball’s 22–14 season and round-of-32 exit, roster construction, ball handling, and injuries, debating Mark Pope’s strategy, noting staff changes, including Mo Williams. They discuss UK’s standards, media accountability, revenue, and broader program factors from the Calipari era through NIL, plus concerns about constant transf...

Jarmon and Newton reflect on forgetting to acknowledge International Women’s Day, sharing how they celebrate the women in their lives and noting Morgan’s 11-year journey with his wife. They pivot to Lexington’s winter weather disruptions again, joking about “warm weather” as a gold standard snow removal process. The conversation turns to Kentucky basketball’s matchup with Santa Clara and links to upcoming UK women’s sports guests, then broadens into a candid assessment of Kentucky’s slipping sta...

Mitch Barnhart Retires: What’s Next for Kentucky Athletics + Athlete Mental Health, NIL, and the Future of College Sports On the LetterWinner, Jeremy Jarmon and Morgan Newton react to reports that longtime Kentucky athletic director Mitch Barnhart is retiring and moving into a new, athletics-funded academic-side role paying $950,000 annually for five years, discuss his legacy, and speculate on an insider-driven AD succession process and possible candidates. They then address the death of former...

The episode recaps a K Club gathering at the K House that drew more than 200 former University of Kentucky letterwinners and families, including offensive coordinator Will Stein and over 20 staff members, with attendees spanning seven decades and multiple sports. Jarmon and Newton discuss the strong turnout and memorable moments. Jim Green and Derrick Ramsey were both in attendance. Jarmon transported some “Sissy Cakes” to the event this month. They then break down Kentucky men’s basketball’s ro...

LetterWinners Jarmon and Newton reconnect after a break and apologize to listeners, citing NTI days, work and life be lifing. They discuss the impact of NTI days that left schools close for over a week. Then pivot to the Super Bowl snooze and the halftime show featuring Bad Bunny, framing it as a global business decision tied to the NFL’s international growth and Spanish-speaking North America, and compare popularity metrics with Kendrick Lamar. The conversation turns to the NFL coaching cycle...

The State of UK Football and UK Basketball: Transfer Portals, Coaches, and the Quest for Success On this episode of the Letter Winner Pod, we delve deep into the current state of University of Kentucky (UK) sports. Former QB Dusty Bonner joins Jeremy Jarmon and Morgan Newton to discuss the significant storylines surrounding Kentucky Football Coach Will Stein and Kentucky Basketball Coach Mark Pope, including speculation on salary cap numbers for each team. Breaking news of Kentucky landing QB K...

The State of Kentucky Sports: From Festive Cheers to Hard Truths In this episode of the LetterWinner Pod, Jarmon and Newton delve into the current state of Kentucky sports with a mix of holiday cheer and critical analysis. They discuss the Kentucky Volleyball team's recent near-win at the National Championship, and Mark Pope's basketball team's promising three-game win streak. The conversation shifts to football, highlighting new head coach Will Stein's promising offense and the future of Kentu...

The End of an Era: UK Football's Transition to New Leadership This episode delves into the recent shake-up within the Kentucky Football (UK Football) program as Mark Stoops' tenure as head coach concludes after 13 seasons. The discussion spotlights the imminent hiring (as of the start of the livestream) of Oregon offensive coordinator Will Stein as Stoops' successor. With notable alumni like Morgan Newton, Stephen Scaldaferri, Trevard Lindley, and Corey Peters, the conversation explores Stoops'...

Jarmon and Newton discuss Thanksgiving and reflect on what they are thankful for this calendar year. They discuss the significant loss by the (UK) football team against Vanderbilt, drawing parallels to a similar past defeat that ushered in a new Stoops era. The conversation then transitions to UK's basketball team's blowout loss to Michigan State, highlighting issues with the roster and management. Both hosts reminisce about past games, discuss their Thanksgiving plans, and exchange thoughts on ...

Big Blue Nation: Football Triumphs Amidst Basketball Turmoil In this episode of the LetterWinner Pod, former Kentucky football players Jeremy Jarmon and Morgan Newton discuss the current state of Kentucky sports. They highlight the impressive achievements of Mark Stoops and the football team's tactical prowess as they approach a pivotal game against Vanderbilt that could secure them a bowl game. Conversely, they delve into the struggles of the Kentucky basketball team, which recently suffered a...

In this episode of the LetterWinner, hosts Jeremy Jarmon and Morgan Newton delve into the recent performances of Kentucky's basketball and football teams. They discuss Kentucky basketball's struggles, particularly in defense, and the promising performance of Denzel Aberdeen. The discussion shifts to football, where quarterback Cutter Boley's strong play and leadership are highlighted. The hosts also explore team dynamics, injuries, and strategies for the upcoming games. They emphasize the import...