UK will begin spring practice in less than 3 weeks, and there are a few players which need to step up this year, or they might find themselves buried in the depth chart to the point of getting almost no playing time in the future. These players have nothing to be ashamed of, and in fact should be proud of their accomplishments as athletes at the college level. In fact, several of them are no doubt at the crossroads of their careers. Should they drop down on the depth chart, look for a few of them to possibly transfer in order to keep their athletic careers ongoing (the list is in no particular order).
1. Ronnie Sneed (MLB) has backed up Micah Johnson. It is hard to imagine that if he is not at least in the 2 deep at this position (especially given the talent that has been added to the team in the past 2 recruiting classes) after spring practice that he will ever start, or see serious playing time again as a Wildcat; however, he does have the skill set to step down to Division II and be a serious player for some team (at the least).
2. Greg Meisner (DE) Greg has been on the 3 deep, but he is 6 ft 1 in and again there is a serious upgrade at talent coming into the program.
3. Patrick Ligon (DL/OL) redshirted in '09 and looks to be possibly be without a home this year. He has the size for any line position, but lacks speed and could wind up on the 3 deep (yes I know that he is only a redshirt freshman). If he can get up to the 2 deep on the O-line (he just does not seem to have the speed for a DE and must gain serious weight for DT), that might provide him some playing time for the future.
4. Chandler Burden (DL/OL) again looks like a player without a position. His best bet might be to redshirt this year (if he plans on staying at UK) and working as an O-lineman. He has the bulk for an OT, but does not seem to be fluid enough to handle one of the tackle positions (unless he has worked extremely hard this offseason).
5. Cartier Rice (CB) looks like his height may be an issue for playing in the SEC. Nothing personal at all with him (again, he like the others listed here could transfer to a smaller school and become the BMOC), but other teams consistently find, and challenge him on the field (he is only 5 ft 9 in, unless he has grown). Could probably transfer and be pretty good, especially since he has a year in a major program.
6. Coshick Williams (RB) could transfer and probably be a featured running back (besides, he has one of the coolest names on the team).
I am not saying that these players SHOULD transfer, I am saying that unless they have standout spring practices that they may be facing an uphill battle for playing time should they falter.
1. Ronnie Sneed (MLB) has backed up Micah Johnson. It is hard to imagine that if he is not at least in the 2 deep at this position (especially given the talent that has been added to the team in the past 2 recruiting classes) after spring practice that he will ever start, or see serious playing time again as a Wildcat; however, he does have the skill set to step down to Division II and be a serious player for some team (at the least).
2. Greg Meisner (DE) Greg has been on the 3 deep, but he is 6 ft 1 in and again there is a serious upgrade at talent coming into the program.
3. Patrick Ligon (DL/OL) redshirted in '09 and looks to be possibly be without a home this year. He has the size for any line position, but lacks speed and could wind up on the 3 deep (yes I know that he is only a redshirt freshman). If he can get up to the 2 deep on the O-line (he just does not seem to have the speed for a DE and must gain serious weight for DT), that might provide him some playing time for the future.
4. Chandler Burden (DL/OL) again looks like a player without a position. His best bet might be to redshirt this year (if he plans on staying at UK) and working as an O-lineman. He has the bulk for an OT, but does not seem to be fluid enough to handle one of the tackle positions (unless he has worked extremely hard this offseason).
5. Cartier Rice (CB) looks like his height may be an issue for playing in the SEC. Nothing personal at all with him (again, he like the others listed here could transfer to a smaller school and become the BMOC), but other teams consistently find, and challenge him on the field (he is only 5 ft 9 in, unless he has grown). Could probably transfer and be pretty good, especially since he has a year in a major program.
6. Coshick Williams (RB) could transfer and probably be a featured running back (besides, he has one of the coolest names on the team).
I am not saying that these players SHOULD transfer, I am saying that unless they have standout spring practices that they may be facing an uphill battle for playing time should they falter.
It is certainly fair to mention the six names above in the "crossroad" category. Of these six, the one who is really on the spot is Ronnie Sneed. Ronnie has been groomed to replace Micah Johnson, but he is now in immediate danger of falling behind Qua Huzie and Avery Williamson in 2010.
ReplyDeleteChandler Burden played a lot last year, and may very well play a lot in future seasons if he makes a successful move to a new position. Pat Ligon is a redshirt freshman who may be headed for a position change and has not yet had a chance to show what he can do. The other three players you mentioned are career back-ups who have already been recruited-over.
Anytime a new coach takes over, players get a new chance to show what they can do. This helps some and hurts others.
Here are other Wildcats who are truly at a crossroad in their D-1 careers in 2010. Some of these names will see their playing time increase as a result of hard work, while others will be washed to the end of the bench by the tsunami of new athletic talent flooding into the program now. Every one of these names will be watched closely by the staff in the spring to see how they fit....
Aaron Boyd
Randall Burden
Mark Crawford
Jacob Dufrene
Michael Hartline
Jake Lanefski
Matt Lentz
Gene McCaskill
Shane McCord
Billy Joe Murphy
Morgan Newton
Taiedo Smith
Collins Ukwu
Ridge Wilson
I agree with several more of the ones that you have posted. Burden should be at least the #3 or he will be on the list; Dufrene needs to step it up (big big big time); MH is a Senior and his days are almost over anyways; Jake L was hurt last yr and will at least be on the 2 deep somewhere if he does not start at center; Matt L should start at SLB; B J Murphy should start at OLT or you are correct; Morgan N was only a freshman, so he the jury is out on him until at least the end of this coming year.
ReplyDeleteHopefully, a full yr in the program will help Mark C to at least be on the 2 deep. I agree with you on the rest. Ridge only had 11 (?) tackles last year, that is not good by any stretch of the imagination (even if, he was only a freshman. He was highly heralded coming out of HS).
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