LEXINGTON, Ky. — Drake Jackson and Kash Daniel moved together in January 2016 from an athletic high to a place with low spirits.
The native Kentuckians were captains on the winning team at the U.S. Army All-American Bowl before sharing a dorm room as early enrollee football players at the University of Kentucky.
"It was just down everywhere," Jackson said. "Morale was low."
The Wildcats had lost to rival Louisville in late November, finishing one win shy of bowl eligibility and with a sixth consecutive losing record.
The feeling of unaccomplished goals would not last long.