Below are the players who red-shirted the 2009 season for Kentucky. There are several players who will compete for playing time and others will have back up roles in 2010. We will take our best guess based on feedback and spring reports as to each player’s role for 2010.
Brian Adams (WR) had to sit out 2009 due to heath concerns. Adams played quarterback in high school and was also a member of the UK baseball team this season. Tee Martin has already named Adams the fastest receiver on the team. Adams should see playing time this fall as his speed will help stretch the field. Look for him to make an impact on special teams as well.
Dakotah Tyler (S) came to UK as a running back and spent the 2009 season working in the back field. However, Joker Phillips announced Tyler requested a move to Safety. My guess is prep star from Indiana saw the writing on the wall with the UK backfield and figured his opportunity for playing time would come in the UK secondary. Tyler has a good frame and will add more speed to the secondary. This spring he found himself competing with Josh Gibbs for the bulk of playing time. Again, if he doesn’t find himself starting on defense, he will most certainly have an impact on special teams.
Jarvis Walker (S) and his brother came to UK from Louisiana. Based on reports, Jarvis will play strong safety at UK. He does have the size to make a move to outside linebacker at some point in his career. Reports suggested Walker had a good spring and will compete with Josh Gibbs and Dakota Tyler for the starting job this fall.
Jonathan George (RB) spent the 2009 season working on the UK scout team. George has good speed and there was no reason to waste a year of eligibility with UK having depth at the position last year. George has found himself in a battle for the back up role behind Derrick Locke. In all reality, Donald Russell may have earned the back up role with his performance in the spring game, but George will receive carries. He too is another speedster who will find himself on special teams.
Jordan Aumiller (TE) came to UK as an athlete that many felt could see action at tight-end. However, in 2009 the Boyle County athlete worked as a linebacker on the scout team. Before spring, the staff announced Aumiller would indeed move to Tight End for 2010. Reports suggest Aumiller had a good spring, but still has to learn the offense before he can assert himself. He will compete with Ryan Wallace, Anthony Kendrick, Nick Melillo and incoming freshman Alex Smith for playing time.
Kevin Mitchell (OL) will likely back up in 2010, but with UK losing four seniors the starting jobs are wide open. UK didn’t sign many offensive linemen in the 2010 class so Mitchell will be another freshman, except he should be stronger and understand the game plan a year later. Reports suggest the staff was disappointed with some offensive linemen they felt would step up in the spring and surprised by others. Could Mitchell be one of the surprises in 2010?
Mister Cobble (DT) earned the respect of his coaches and teammates after being named the Scout Team Defensive Player of the Year. The Cats lost Corey Peters to graduation and the NFL, therefore his job is open heading into the fall. I believe Mark Crawford, Shane McCord and Cobble will battle for playing time. Cobble has a very low center of gravity and plays hard on every down. Cobble had a great spring, but must show up in better shape for fall camp. Cobble is the one player on this list who could have the biggest impact on the team’s success.
Myron Walker (DL) came to UK with his brother Jarvis (see above) and spent last season working on the scout team. Myron is a load up front at 260 lbs and been described as “bowling ball” because he is 5’10”. There have been some reports that suggest Myron could be leaving the program, however he was listed on the UK spring roster. It appears he will have a back up role in 2010.
Patrick Ligon (DE) will likely back up at the defensive end position. Ligon could possibly move to the interior line at some point in his career. He is approx 6’5” and 260 lbs. Joker has stated many times, UK needs to get longer at the defensive end position to interfere with passing lanes. With Ligon’s height, he can do just that. However, he may not be as athletic as some of the other ends on campus. Because of spring classes and injuries, Ligon received a lot of reps this spring which should be huge for him heading into fall camp.
Qua Huzzie (LB) came to UK as another under-the-radar recruit from LaGrange and many schools over looked him due to his height. In watching Huzzie’s film, what he lacks in height is made up with speed. Huzzie attacks the ball and plays up-field. He also has the speed to match up with running backs coming out of the back field. Look for Huzzie to compete with Ronnie Sneed for the starting middle linebacker spot.
Ryan Mosby (LB) came to UK as a three-star recruit from Texas. Mosby fits the OLB mold as he is 6’ tall and 200 lbs. Mosby has a good speed running a 4.5 forty-yard dash. Ryan will likely back up Danny Trevathan and see action on special teams.
Ryan Mossakowski (QB) could be the top recruit from the 2009 class and will battle with Mike Hartline and Morgan Newton for the starting job in 2010. The staff has been impressed with decision making ability and he could win the starting job this fall. Many people have written Mossakowski off because of Morgan Newton’s performance last year, but don’t count him out.
Sam Simpson (OL) was one of the prize recruits in the 2009 recruiting class for the Cats. The center could have earned playing time last year, but the staff had depth and decided to use a redshirt on him. Based on reports from spring practice, Simpson will have a back up role at center and has been working some at the guard position as well. Simpson was also named the Scout Team Offensive MVP last season.
Tristian Johnson (DE) is another LaGrange prospect Joker Phillips pulled out of Georgia. With UK’s depth at defensive end and linebacker in 2009, there was no reason to waste a year of eligibility. Johnson will be competing for a back up role this fall behind DeQuin Evans, Taylor Wyndham and Collins Ukwu. Johnson had a great spring and Joker Phillips pointed out his intensity on several occasions.
