Aaron's UK Football Blog

We've moved to a new site!!!

2010-07-21T20:30:00.001-04:00

Aaron's UK Football Blog has changed names and moved to a new site called Bleed Blue Kentucky. All of the people and content will remain the same, our hope is to provide better coverage and more options. Thank You!

SEC Media Day Notes: UK

2010-07-21T16:28:00.004-04:00

Here is a snap shot of reports coming through from various sources. We will update this thread as the day continues.

Paul Warford is not listed on the UK roster (which confirms ineligibility rumors and Joker has confirmed)

Mister Cobble is listed on 3rd team for UK (academic work to complete)

William Johnson is not listed on the roster (which confirms what we reported several days ago)

Joker mentioned Myron Walker was transferring (we knew that).

First three games TV schedule released: Louisville @ 3:30pm on ABC, Western Kentucky @ 7:30 on CSS and Akron @7pm on FSN.

Notes from Joker Phillips press conference:

Four freshman still have work to do to gain eligibility (likely Trimble, Rumph, Johnson and Patterson, possibly McAdoo)

Reports everyone will be ready for camp, no injuries at this time.

QB race is even, but would like to name a starter early. Doesn't want QB to manage games, but to win games.

Joker confirms 14 verbal commitments

Randall Cobb will be the sorest guy in the league from the number of touches he is going to get.

Will recruit South Carolina and Georgia hard.

Tee Martin has a bright future as a coach. He understands facebook and can recruit.

Brian Adams is a beast!

Best advise from Coach Brooks, "Don't listen to the noise."

Joker likes how Mike Summers' OL line up and punch people in the mouth.

Miss State players on David Turner

2010-07-21T15:08:00.003-04:00

Larry Vaught interviewed several Mississippi State players today in Alabama for the SEC's media days. The interview gives great insight into the coaching abilities of David Turner. The Cats will need a very physical defensive line in 2010 and it sounds like Joker hired the right person for the job.

Pre Camp 2010 UK Depth chart

2010-07-21T12:27:00.002-04:00

Here is the 2011 UK Depth Chart for the Preseason which has been released at Media Day.

LEFT TACKLE

66 Chandler Burden

52 Billy Joe Murphy

LEFT GUARD

70 Stuart Hines

79 Kevin Mitchell

CENTER

69 Matt Smith

63 Jake Lanefski

RIGHT GUARD

67 Larry Warford

59 Dave Ulinski

RIGHT TACKLE

75 Brad Durham

74 Trevino Woods

83 Ryan Wallace

TIGHT END

42 Nick Melillo

82 Anthony Kendrick

83 Ryan Wallace

WIDE RECEIVER

8 Chris Matthews

87 Brian Adams

27 Aaron Boyd

WIDE RECEIVER

18 Randall Cobb

16 La’Rod King

19 E.J. Fields

WIDE RECEIVER

13 Gene McCaskill

3 Matt Roark

QUARTERBACK

5 Mike Hartline

OR 7 Ryan Mossakowski

OR 12 Morgan Newton

FULLBACK

30 Moncell Allen

37 Greg Meisner

TAILBACK

20 Derrick Locke

23 Donald Russell

25 Jonathan George

PLACEKICKER

9 Ryan Tydlacka

93 Craig McIntosh

DEFENSIVE END

55 DeQuin Evans

51 Tristian Johnson

90 Justin Henderson

DEFENSIVE TACKLE

53 Ricky Lumpkin

92 Shane McCord

45 Antwane Gleen

DEFENSIVE TACKLE

98 Mark Crawford

68 Luke McDermott

97 Mister Cobble

DEFENSIVE END

96 Collins Ukwu

94 Taylor Wyndham

95 Patrick Ligon

STRONGSIDE LINEBACKER

57 Jacob Dufrene

48 Ridge Wilson

MIDDLE LINEBACKER

46 Ronnie Sneed

2 Qua Huzzie

WEAKSIDE LINEBACKER

22 Danny Trevathan

44 Ryan Mosby

CORNERBACK

15 Martavious Neloms

35 Cartier Rice

STRONG SAFETY

6 Taiedo Smith

33 Josh Gibbs

FREE SAFETY

21 Winston Guy

28 Dakotah Tyler

CORNERBACK

24 Randall Burden

14 Anthony Mosley

PUNTER

9 Ryan Tydlacka

Here is the final update

2010-07-21T09:41:00.002-04:00

The new site will go live tonight around 8pm. It's been an experience designing a website from scratch, but fun as well. We will make one final post on this site (Aaron's UK Football Blog) tonight which will provide a link to direct everyone to the new site. All of the site content has been transferred. I think everyone will enjoy the new look and features. I'm sure we will run into a few glitches and all I ask if for everyone's patience. Thank You all for the support! Aaron

Status of the 2009 UK Red Shirts

2010-07-21T07:19:00.002-04:00

A LOOK AT THE 2009 RED SHIRTS FOR UK

We now turn our attention to the 2009 Red-shirts for the UK football team. These players have had a year in the UK system and will now be counted on to become contributors to the team for the 2010 season. The good news about these players is that in times past, some/many of them would have immediately found themselves on the field as true freshmen. As it is, they have had another year to mature, get stronger, learn the system, and in some cases deepen their understanding of the game. We will look at the players in 3 separate categories: first we will look at the big name players who are expected to contribute in some big way to the team, at players who are perceived as being key backups this season, and then at players who are more unknown as to how they may impact the team.

Players ready to step up their careers:

Ryan Mossakowski (QB): Ryan spent last year red shirting due to a shoulder injury sustained in HS. He has a rocket for an arm and at some point will make a statement for the starting QB job. If Hartline, and Newton are inconsistent, look for him to get the nod in the last few games of the year.

Mister Cobble (DT): By some accounts, Cobble could have played his freshman year, but is now a year stronger and more familiar with the system. He was a beast in HS (200 tackles his last 2 yrs), and is vertically challenged, but by all accounts, Cobble is a real player. There continue to be rumors floating that he might be academically ineligible for the 2010 season. In some ways, he is the most important cog in this year’s defense due to a dearth of impact players at the DT position.

Qua Huzzie (LB): Qua was expected to compete for playing time in the ’09 season, but was injured during training camp, and had to red shirt. Although short in stature, he is known as a playmaker, for his ability to get to the ball, as well as a ferocious hitter. Look for Qua to become a player this year, at worst he should be in the 2 deep if not starting.

Key Backup Players:

Dakotah Tyler (S): Dakotah came to UK as a RB, but has transitioned to Safety. He has speed and has spent a year at UK learning the system and getting stronger. He should be in the 2 deep at safety, and is known for his striking ability on defense. He should be a Special Teams demon.

Jarvis Walker (S): Walker has much of the same skill set as Tyler. Again, at worst, he is a Special Teams demon and may also be in the 2 deep. He really seems to have a bright future in the defensive backfield with Tyler at some point in the future, especially if Mychal Bailey does not make it to UK.

Kevin Mitchell (OL): Kevin came to UK as an underappreciated OL. He is tall at 6’ 7” and most thought that he would require at least 2 years in order to make a significant impact on the team. At this point, Kevin is listed as the #2 OLG (behind S Hines), but may have a look in the future at OT. My understanding is that Kevin is one of those pleasant surprises in the program. Obviously, Kevin has worked harder and made more progress than some thought possible which is a testimony to his work ethic.

Brian Adams (WR): Brian came to UK as an athlete and red shirted last year due to a health issue which almost cost him his life. Brian has worked hard, and according to the coaches is really beginning to separate himself from some of the other WRs (reportedly, he is one of the fastest WRs on the team). Brian may get some field time this year, but look for him to really make a statement in 2011.

Anthony Kendrick (TE): Anthony red shirted last season and is now listed as the #2 TE behind N Melilo. The TEs at UK have been very lackluster over the last 2 seasons, so he, like J Aumiller now has their chance to shine.

Jordan Aumiller (TE): Jordan has begun to create some separation between him self and other players. His chance is now.

Tristian Johnson (DE): Tristian is an undersized DE at 6’ 1”. He is probably best suited as a pass rush specialist and is really probably more suited for a 3-4 defense as a linebacker. He is known as a fierce competitor and is listed as the #2 RDE behind D Evans, and ahead of J Henderson who is really making a statement for the #2 spot.

Patrick Ligon (DE): A coach’s kid from a winning HS program. Patrick is listed as the #3 LDE (strongside) behind C Ukwu and T Wyndham. His time does not seem to be now, but in the future. If he could add about 30 lbs, he might find a home at the DT spot where we are desperate for talent.

Still a Little Away:

Sam Simpson (OL): Sam came to UK as an OC and was ranked in the Top 10 at his position by some services. Like Ligon, Sam is a Coach’s kid and is known as a competitor. At this point, he is still probably a year away from making a significant move up the depth chart. It looks like Matt Smith, Marcus Davis, and probably Jake Lanefski are ahead of him, so there is a serious log jam for him to overcome. He has also been working out at OG some, so that may also help him move up as well.

Jonathon George (RB): A truly freakish athlete (Wrestler, Track Star, and Football player). He plays a position that UK continues to improve as far as recruiting. He is deep on the depth chart with more explosive talent coming in the 2010 class. It is hard to fathom how he will get many carries unless there are a significant number of injuries at the RB position.

Ryan Mosby (WLB): Ryan came to UK and it was thought that he would push for playing time. At this point, he has had a rough go of it and at times has been lost. The word on the street is that William Johnson is no longer with the team and if true, that should give him more reps and get him more comfortable on the field, if not, he may never see the field. He seems to be the #2 WLB behind D Trevathan, like many others, he has a chance to demonstrate his skills this year.

Player Profile: Jordan Aumiller

2010-07-20T20:47:00.001-04:00

Aumiller hails from Danville, Kentucky where he attended Boyle County High School. That is the school that former UK and NFL Tight End Jacob Tamme went. It is also the same High School as 2011 LB prospect Lamar Dawson goes. Aumiller Redshirted last season and will be a Freshman this year. I've read some good things about Aumiller from the spring. He has good size (6-4) and has good hands.

Clint Tucker waivering?

2010-07-20T20:26:00.002-04:00

Tonight I was a guest on Larry Glover's talk show and Jeff Drummond was the guest before me. Drummond reported that Clint Tucker could be "wavering" with his commitment to UK. I've been unable to reach Tucker, but did catch up with his teammate, Glenn Faulkner, who said, "I don't know really what's going on with Clint ,but I'm sticking with UK". I'm sure between Faulkner and Tee Martin, Tucker will be a Cat.

Player Profile: Ryan Tydlacka

2010-07-20T20:17:00.004-04:00

Tydlacka is a junior from Louisville,Kentucky. He has played in 23 total games and has performed very well. He is the starting Punter and has Kicked Field Goals in some occasions. His career long is 51 yards against South Carolina.

Joker gives insights on team

2010-07-20T16:30:00.002-04:00

Larry Vaught has a nice article on Joker Phillips comments from the recent convention in Ohio. The article has quotes from Joker that gives great insight into roles of certain players. There are no real surprises, except for putting to rest the rumors of Miles Simpson's move to linebacker. Could it happen? Absolutely, but it doesn't sound like it has happened yet. Some reports have suggested the move has already happened.

Nick Waisome narrows list to five

2010-07-20T15:40:00.002-04:00

Nick Waisome (2011-CB) has narrowed his college choices down to five. No real surprise, but UK didn't make the list. The Cats had reportedly offered and expressed interest, but Waisome is down to Florida, Florida State, Georgia, LSU and South Carolina. The Cats currently have a commitment from Riyahd Jones and Daylen Hall for the 2011 class. The Cats are still in the mix with Justin Coleman and don't rule out Jared Boyd either.

All-SEC Coaches Team

2010-07-20T12:10:00.003-04:00

Reports are coming out that Derrick Locke and Randall Cobb have been named to the Coaches All-SEC first team and DeQuin Evans was named to the All-SEC second team. Congrats to all three players who deserve the honors.

LSU offers Dawson

2010-07-20T10:22:00.002-04:00

Another day, another big time program offers Lamar Dawson (2011-LB) from Boyle County, Kentucky. Dawson still remains priority number one for the Cats, however the staff isn't putting all their eggs in his basket either. The Cats have one commitment from Blake Terry and still in the mix for several other top linebackers.

Southern Pigskin takes a look at the Cats

2010-07-20T00:56:00.000-04:00

Monday, July 19, 2010

SouthernPigskin takes a look at the Cats
Primarily, the publication takes a look at our quarterback position and profiles the options under center and the possibilities that we have coming into the 2010 season. As expected, the article gives deserved kudos to Derrick Locke and also mentions the rewards of Randall Cobb being able to concentrate on his true position which is wide receiver. While some fans may argue and petition for Cobb to see a large percentage of his snaps in the "WildCobb" set, it's important to remember that, like Darin McCluster from Ole Miss, Randall can best be utilized when he can get the ball in space and make the most of his god-give talent. In the end, SP talks about our front four on defense and how Coach Turner is moving from a read/react scheme to an attack mode. Basically, the DT's are now going to an upfield one-gap scheme versus the two-gap control mode that we've witnessed in the past. Either way, Joker Phillips has taken the reigns and has set the tone with a new era of Kentucky football. It's going to be an exciting ride.
Posted by Mike at 9:25 PM

Labels: http://aaronsukfootballblog-mike.blogspot.com/search/label/http%3A%2F%2Fwww.southernpigskin.com%2Findex.php%2Fsite%2Fkentucky_qb_shuffle%2F

It's getting closer

2010-07-19T22:38:00.002-04:00

Hat Tip to Rob Gidel for finding this video and sending out! It's getting closer!!

Jon Davis rumors

2010-07-19T21:54:00.002-04:00

Rumors are flying wild suggesting Jon Davis has decommitted from Kentucky. I spoke to Jon exactly one week ago and he told me, "I don't know where the rumors are coming from." Could something have changed in the last week? Absolutely, but based on my interviews with him, I can't imagine there is any truth to these rumors.

Again, he told me he would be taking a couple of other visits to make sure he is 100% comfortable with his decision. I realize some fans have a difficult time with verbal commitments taking other visits, but it's part of the process.

Player Profile: Josh Gibbs (Safety #33)

2010-07-19T21:00:00.003-04:00

Gibbs enrolled at UK after attending Junior College at College of the Canyons in California. He was rated a 3* by Rivals.com. He is from Long Beach, California. He looks to be a backup this season.

Player Profile: Anthony Kendrick (Tight End #82)

2010-07-19T20:52:00.003-04:00

Kendrick was rated as a 3* TE by rivals.com. He is from Katy, Texas. He was ranked the 30th best Tight End in the nation. He will be in the running for the starting job this year, but will likely be the backup. He Reshirted last season and will be a Freshman this year.

Joker on Greg Nord

2010-07-19T15:32:00.002-04:00

Larry Vaught has another great interview with Joker Phillips on the hiring of Greg Nord. The article points out Nord's recruiting ability instate and talks about what he brings to the table. Nord could play a huge role in trying to flip any current Louisville commits.

Thomas Finnie picks Gamecocks

2010-07-19T14:26:00.003-04:00

Per The Big Spur.com, Thomas Finnie (2011-CB) has committed to South Carolina. Finnie was a teammate of Brandon Gainer at Miami Central HS in Florida. The Cats had shown interest in Finnie, but it's unclear if an offer was ever extended. The Cats have also expressed interest in Delray Lewis (RB), Dwight Jackson (LB) and Marquis Lucas (OL) who are teammates of Finnie currently.

Leach's take on UK's offense

2010-07-19T10:36:00.003-04:00

(Photo Courtesy of Kentucky Ink)

Tom Leach gives his take on the UK offense heading into the season. Leach feels QB play will be the key for UK's success this season. He makes a great point about the team needing a leader to win games, however I feel the staff has bigger questions to answer.

Personally, I feel retooling the offensive line is a much bigger concern along with stopping the run on defense. The Cats lost four starters on the offensive line and without Corey Peters and Micah Johnson stopping the run, teams will test the Cats up the middle on defense.

Randall Cobb doesn't feel he will run the "wildcat" as often in 2010 and I hope he's right. If the offensive line struggles, Cobb will find himself under center more than most would like. It wouldn't surprise me to see Jerrell Priester take a few snaps in the "wildcat" either.

2011 Recruiting Outlook - Offense

2010-07-19T10:25:00.002-04:00

The 2011 recruiting is pretty close to being finalized with the Cats having 14 verbal commitments. As one recruit told me, the staff expects to sign 18-20 players for the class. Considering the Cats want to sign two more offensive lineman, that would leave roughly two to four more scholarships for other positions. Joker mentioned last week the staff is starting to pull back offers as they want to have a few spots available for key players. Here is my positional breakdown for the class along with the key names to remember. While there are other recruits who hold offers, these are the most likely candidates to choose UK based on interviews and discussions. We’ll cover defense tomorrow.

Quarterback

The Cats currently have commitments from Max Smith and Theltus Cobbins. Smith projects as a quarterback at the next level and will enroll in December. Cobbins will compete at quarterback, but could switch to another position if he doesn’t progress like the staff hopes. I can’t imagine the Cats taking another quarterback in this class unless they can sign either DaMarcus Smith or Shamier Jeffery. Smith is currently committed to Louisville and Jeffery is still uncommitted, but being recruited by a ton of other SEC programs.

Running Back

This is one area where the Cats can be picky for 2011. In last year’s class, the staff managed to sign Raymond Sanders, Miles Simpson and Brandon Gainer. There have been some rumors already that suggest Simpson will be moved to linebacker; however it hasn’t been made official yet. The staff stated Simpson would be a running back at UK on signing day last year. The only uncommitted recruit the Cats have extended an offer to is Ricky Lunford. The Cats are still pursuing Jerrell Moore who is committed to Louisville and Brandon Ford (Juco) has taken a visit to Lexington over the summer. Two other names to watch are Brandon Wilds and Devin Foster. Wilds camped at UK this summer and Foster was in attendance at the spring game. Neither holds an offer at this point, but could be options for the staff.

Wide Receiver

The Cats failed to sign a receiver in last year’s class, but have come out of the gates strong for 2011. The Cats currently have commitments Darien Thomas, Josh Forrest and Antonio Cannon. Some people feel Thomas could play Safety at the next level and Forrest has been rumored to play TE. However, based on interviews, all three will start out at receiver. Unless the Cats are able to add Collins Moore, Christian Jones or Shamier Jeffery, the odds of them signing another receiver are unlikely.

Tight Ends

Joker likes to sign Tight End type bodies as he feels the player becomes more versatile for the program. The Cats currently have commitments from Jon Davis and Terrell Mitchell. While Davis could play multiple positions, Mitchell will be a tight end at the next level. Davis wants to play offense and UK will give him that opportunity. However, most feel Davis has the potential to be an All-SEC type linebacker due to his size and speed. The Cats have been evaluating Mitchell Henry and Mark Wathen as possible tight ends. Neither holds an offer at this point, but both could play other positions as well.

Offensive Line

The Cats signed Tim McAdoo in the 2010 class, but most don’t expect him to qualify. The Cats have one commitment from Darrian Miller and plan to sign two more offensive line targets. The most likely candidates are Nick Martin, Zach West, Cody Robinson and Ray Ball. Two other names to watch are Zack Templin and James Lewis. Templin doesn’t have an offer from the Cats yet, but attended camp and many feel an offer could come at some point. Lewis committed to Vanderbilt over UK and others. With the coaching change at Vandy, the Cats could make another run at Lewis.

UK is #1 (in November)

2010-07-19T07:05:00.002-04:00

Per the Bleacherreport, UK is ranked #1 for the easiest schedule for 2010 in November. The CATS take on Charleston Southern, Vandy and Tennessee during that period. The Cats also have an Open Date the week before the UT game.

Player Profile: Ridge Wilson

2010-07-18T19:50:00.000-04:00

Wilson came out of Central High School in Louisville as a 3* LB. He has a chance to start this season if he performs well in the fall. He only had 1 tackle last season, but played a lot of Special Teams. He ran into Trouble last year when he was was charged with 4th degree Assault charge for punching a female student. He was suspended from the team. Wilson has put that past him and will contribute this year for the Cats.

Player Profile: Dave Ulinski

2010-07-18T17:42:00.001-04:00

Ulinski is a 6-5/320 pound Offensive Guard. He Redshirted his Freshman year in 2008, before playing in every game last season. He was rated as a 3* OL in High School where he attended DuPoint Manual in Louisville. He will be a backup this season but will likely see playing time.

Player Profile: Nick Melillo

2010-07-18T14:36:00.000-04:00

Melillo looks to be the starting TE, but will have to fend off some tough compettion to keep starting. He originally attended Lindenwood College, but transferred to UK. He started his career as a WR, but moved to Tight End. He caught 5 passes last season.

Player Profile: Ryan Mosby

2010-07-18T14:32:00.002-04:00

Mosby was rated as a 3* LB by Rivals.com. He is from Heath,Texas. He was ranked as a top 75 OLB prospect. He Redshirted his Freshman season and will try to compete this year for playing time.

Joker talks grade issues

2010-07-18T12:49:00.003-04:00

Larry Vaught has a great interview with Joker Phillips regarding the status of Paul Warford, Mister Cobble, Mychal Bailey and Donte Rumph's eligibility for the fall semester. Recently, Warford and Cobble have been rumored to be on the fence this fall while Rumph and Bailey have been working hard to gain eligibility. I've also had two people tell me William Johnson is no longer with the team.

Warford is the most experienced UK corner on the roster so if he is ineligible, I would imagine Martavious Neloms and Cartier Rice immediately become the favorites. The other two names to watch are Jerrell Priester and Dale Trimble. Unless Priester suffers an injury during camp, I can't imagine he will redshirt. He has the best chance to play as a true freshman as anyone. Trimble told me he was expecting to redshirt. Because he was a late qualifier, it appears the staff wants him focused on his grades his first year. However, he could be thrown into the mix.

Cobble was expected to take Corey Peters position on the defensive line. If he is unable to go this fall, then expect Mark Crawford and Shane McCord to compete for the starting job. Another name to watch is Brice Laughlin, who is as strong and fast as any defensive lineman on the roster. Laughlin will need a lot of reps during camp to be ready, however with the new defensive scheme, it's very possible.

I've heard Rumph has made several trips to Lexington this summer and everyone is very optimistic he will gain eligibility. The key for Rumph is being in football shape. He is another big body and someone who was highly recruited out of high school. Bailey could make an impact immediately. He would push for playing time in the secondary, but certainly make an impact on special teams. The other safety's have a lot more reps than Bailey so he has some catching up to do. The last time I talked to Bailey, he felt he would gain eligibility. He was taking two summer courses and passing both. We'll know the status of each for sure in the next couple of weeks.

It's getting closer!!!!!

2010-07-17T14:41:00.000-04:00

Hopefully this gets your heart pumping and ready for some football! Operation Win! First practice is in 20 days! The Governor's Cup kicks off in 49 days!

Bleed Blue Kentucky update

2010-07-17T06:00:00.000-04:00

We hoped to have the new site up and running by now, but I continue to make changes and the web designers probably hate me. It's my hope (everyone keep your fingers crossed) the new site will go live by Monday. I can promise you the new site has a much better look, more features and will be worth the wait (at least I hope). Once we are ready to go live with the new site, we will put up one final post on this site to direct everyone to the new site. It's been an interesting experience working on a website, but fun at the same time. Stay tuned!

Most important recruits by category

2010-07-16T21:21:00.003-04:00

I thought we would take a look at the most important recruits by category. The categories are committed to UK, uncommitted and committed to other schools. Typically, the most important recruits are the ones a team already has committed. Most people don't realize how difficult it becomes to hold off other programs when they come calling. Below is the breakdown.

Committed

The three most important committed recruits today are Jon Davis (ATH), Glen Faulkner (S) and Clint Tucker (DT). All three of these players have high ceilings and will contribute early at the next level. First, Jon Davis is from Kentucky and may be the best overall football player in the state. The Cats can’t afford to lose him. Glen Faulkner and Clint Tucker are teammates who will help create a new pipeline for the program. Not to mention, they have the potential to be game changers at the next level. All three are being pursued by other programs weekly. The staff will have their hands full signing them on signing day.

Uncommitted

Of the uncommitted recruits the Cats are pursuing, the number one priority is Lamar Dawson (LB) from Boyle County, Kentucky. Lamar has offers from USC, Florida, Tennessee and more are calling every week. After Dawson, the next two priority recruits appear to be Nick Martin (OL) and Zach West (OL). The Cats struck out with offensive linemen in last year’s class so they must make up ground in 2011. Martin’s father played at UK and his brother plays for Notre Dame. If the Cats land Martin, it’s another way to measure the success of the program. West is another local product from Lexington who is still considering UK along with Cincinnati, Penn State, Auburn and Tennessee. In recent years, no one would have given UK a chance to land a recruit with an offer list comparable to West’s. For the Cats, it’s imperative they protect their home ground and sign West.

Committed to other schools

There are nearly 75 known recruits who the Cats have offered, but committed to other programs. The three most important in this category are DaMarcus Smith (QB), Jamon Brown (DT) and DeVante Parker (WR). Why? All three are from Louisville and all three have given verbal commitments to play for the Cards. Smith is a Pro-Style quarterback who the Cats don’t want to face. He will be in the running for “Mr. Kentucky” along with the other names mentioned. Jamon Brown is a light footed run stuffer, who will help anchor a defensive line at the school he chooses on signing day. DeVante Parker could be the best overall athlete in the state and the Cats would love to add him to their program. Athlete’s like Parker don’t come around very often and he has a chance to be special.

Clearly Joker Phillips has placed an emphasis on recruiting when you consider the staff changes he has made. It’s important for fans to understand Joker realizes Charlie Strong is a great recruiter. However, there is only so much recruiting the head coaches can do, therefore Joker has increased the programs instate recruiting power by adding Mike Summers, David Turner and Greg Nord to the staff.

Player Profile: Sam Simpson

2010-07-16T18:51:00.000-04:00

Simpson was rated a 3* Center prospect by rivals.com. He attended Henry Clay High School where he played for his father. Sam will try to get in the rotation this season.

Player Profile: Shane McCord

2010-07-16T15:36:00.002-04:00

McCord was rated as a 2* DT from Hartwell, Georgia. He played in every game last season, and made a crucial interception in the win against Georgia. He appears to be one of the starters at DT this year. He has played in 29 career games.

Joker on recruiting strategy

2010-07-16T14:06:00.003-04:00

Larry Vaught has a great interview with Joker Phillips regarding recruiting. As Joker states in the interview, "You can't win," in talking about pleasing the fans. As everyone knows the Cats have 14 verbal commitments for 2011 and not finished.

Joker notes in the interview the Cats are pulling back on some offers. He also notes, they will hold a few scholarships for players who are not 100% sold on the Cats. With the addition of Greg Nord, who has a great pull in Louisville, Joker wants to make sure he wins the recruiting battle against Charlie Strong. While the Cats really want Lamar Dawson, they want to make sure they keep Jon Davis and continue to pursue DeVante Parker, Jamon Brown, Jerrell Moore and DaMarcus Smith who are committed to Louisville. The Cats are still expected to sign 18-20 players in the next recruiting class.

50 More Days til Kickoff

2010-07-16T09:55:00.003-04:00

In 50 more days the 2010 season kicks off with UK visiting the UL Cardinals!!

It will not get here soon enough!!

Edsel Caprice commits to USF

2010-07-15T22:10:00.002-04:00

3* OLB Edsel Caprice commited to USF today. He chose USF over North Carolina. Kentucky had extended an offer.

Player Profile: Matt Smith

2010-07-15T19:57:00.001-04:00

Matt Smith has the lead for the Center job going into fall camp. He will be going into his sophomore season with the Wildcats. He played in 6 games last season. He was rated a 2* by rivals.com. He is from Louisville, Kentucky. Played his High School ball at St. X.

Player Profile: Ricky Lumpkin

2010-07-15T16:45:00.002-04:00

Lumpkin will be going into his senior year with the Cats and will be a starter on the DL. He started all 13 games last season and recorded 26 tackles. He's caught the injury bug from time to time so he hopes to stay healthy for his final season. Coming out of HS he was rated a 2* prospect. He is from Clarksville, Tennessee.

Ineligible rumors

2010-07-15T14:55:00.003-04:00

Rumors are flying that two UK defensive players will be ineligible for the upcoming season. I have done some digging and thus far they are NOTHING BUT RUMORS. I've spoken to two people close to the program. I agree with Chip Cosby on this one...Summer school doesnt end until August 5th so nothing is final yet.

Steven Daniels update

2010-07-15T14:46:00.004-04:00

Brian Eldridge of KSR has an article about Steven Daniels (6' 225lb MLB)from St X in Cincy. Daniels is ranked the #14 MLB by Rivals and looks to be a real player. He has offers from BC, Ill, IND, UK, UL, Pitt, WVU and several others. Additionally (IIRC) the cousin of Antonio Poole (who the CATS are also recruiting), so the question remains, is there a package deal here?

The word on the street is that Steven is really high on UK!

Preseason--UK Football Roll Call

2010-07-15T11:29:00.002-04:00

Represent your UK Football allegiance by State and City here!

Indianapolis Indiana (via Madisonville KY)

DeQuin Evans named in Top 20

2010-07-15T10:30:00.002-04:00

Kentucky, Defensive End,Dequin Evans has been named as one of the Top 20 Defensive Players in the SEC entering the 2010 Season. Evans, who led the CATs in QB sacks in '09 was a transfer from Harbor College and enters the season as a senior.

Most under Rated Unit for 2010

2010-07-15T09:43:00.003-04:00

What is the most under rated unit of the UK Football team going into the 2010 Season?

2011 SEC Recruit Rankings

2010-07-15T08:04:00.002-04:00

The Bleacherreport has an article ranking the 2011 SEC Recruiting classes. Kentucky actually made the Top 10!!

Player Profile: Jonathan George

2010-07-14T19:48:00.000-04:00

George was a signing day surprise in the 2009 recruiting class. He was rated a low 2* and considered a sleper. George has shown that he has good size and speed and looks to be a quality back. He Redshirted his Freshman season and looks like he will be the 3rd string back this year, but will see playing time.

Thomas Niles DT from Gainesville GA

2010-07-14T19:31:00.005-04:00

Thomas Niles a 6'2" DT from Georgia has decommitted from NC State and reopened his recruiting. Niles is ranked the #59 DT according to ESPN (3* per Rivals). I wonder if UK would be interested in recruiting him since he is from the same HS as Brian Adams? Thomas also had offers from Arkansas and Tennessee before he committed to NC State.

UPDATE: Thomas Niles committed to UCF this morning. Man that was quick.

Greg Nord interview with Tom Leach

2010-07-14T16:15:00.002-04:00

Greg Nord has been announced as the tight ends and special teams coach at UK. Click to hear his interview with Tom Leach on recruiting.

Player Profile: Patrick Ligon

2010-07-14T15:41:00.002-04:00

Ligon was rated a 2* by rivals.com for the 2009 recruiting class. He is from Germantown, Tn. where he attended Christian Brothers. He Redshirted his Freshman season and will look for playing time this year.

Great article on the future of UK football

2010-07-14T13:45:00.003-04:00

Here is a great article by Rivals on Joker Phillips and his goal to turn the Cats into a Top 10 program. This is a very good read with comments from Joker and Tee Martin.

Overall UK Eval by the Bleacherreport

2010-07-14T12:27:00.003-04:00

Again, the Bleacherreport has an article on the overall status of UK football including an interview with Head Coach Joker Phillips.

It is a good read.

UK selected to play in a Bowl

2010-07-14T12:19:00.002-04:00

The bleacherreport has it's preseason Bowl Schedule out today. It has predicted that UK will face Houston in the Liberty Bowl in Memphis on Dec 31st!

CFN on Derrick Locke

2010-07-14T12:07:00.002-04:00

Collegefootballnews.com has an article about UK RB Derrick Locke and how under appreciated he is as an SEC player.

2009 Recruiting Class Impact Players Part 1

2010-07-14T09:22:00.002-04:00

In this installment, we look at the Recruiting class of 2009. This particular class looks to have the most players in the 2 deep depth chart for the 2010 season which will ultimately make the team better in the long run, but there will be issues as far as inexperience and growing pains for the 2010 season. In part #1, we will look at the players which had an impact/field time for the 2009 season.

IMPACT PLAYERS:

DeQuin Evans: Defensive End. DeQuin came into a Division I, major college program with only 3 years of football and was the 2nd best D-lineman on the team. He had 6.5 sacks and 12.5 TFL, not bad for someone who is still learning the game. DeQuin returns for his senior season and will look to position himself for the 2011 NFL Draft. Barring injury, he should really become a dominant player for the Wildcats this year.

Larry Warford: Offensive Guard. Larry came in as an overweight O-lineman that was naturally strong. He played extremely well as a freshman and looks to be the anchor at ORG for the next 3 years. At the spring game, it looked like he had dropped 30 lbs (from about 350 or so) and was beginning to resculpt his body into a Division I SEC Football player. The sky is the limit.

LaRod King: Wide Receiver. LaRod came into the season as a long rangy player that many suspected would redshirt. At the end of camp, King was on the team and actually made several key catches at critical moments of the season. It was interesting in that he and Morgan Newton seemed to be able to read each other’s minds at times, which was very encouraging.

Chris Matthews: Wide Receiver. Chris and DeQuin were teammates at Harbor College in California and came to UK to continue their careers. While Matthews did seem to lack concentration at times and drop a few catchable balls, he also caught some at critical moments and had a pretty good campaign for the ’09 season. He is probably the best WR at down field blocking and returns this year in hopes of cementing a career which leads to the NFL.

Martavius Neloms: Cornerback. Neloms came into the program as an unheralded CB from Memphis TN. He received tons of playing time and even made a few important plays in the season. He returns this year after a so-so offseason and must really get serious. It seems as though that Cartier Rice had a better offseason than him, yet both will probably be invaluable to the 2010 edition of the CATS. If he continues to work hard, he will be ok. He looks to probably be a #2 for this season, but he will get better given that he has been in the program for a year at this point in his career.

Mark Crawford: Defensive Tackle. Mark came into the program as an unknown commodity to most UK fans from a JUCO in Kansas. At times, Mark looked good, at other times, he seemed out of place. One thing is for sure, he has now been in the program for over a year, and while vertically challenged at 6’ 1”, he will be an important part of the D-line rotation for the next 2 years. His game should be vastly improved this year, and he might even start, if things work out right.

Ridge Wilson: Outside Linebacker. Ridge came to UK highly heralded as a home town product which was expected to make an impact. After a tough season, in which Ridge failed to distinguish himself, he did have a pretty good Spring Game where he was in on several tackles. Ridge plays the SLB position which is in drastic need of a playmaker, if Wilson can demonstrate even average ability on the field, he might actually start this year.

Donald Russell: Donald is a very important running back to this class. He had marginal impact for his freshman year, but will most certainly be the #2 RB for the 2010 season for the Wildcats. Donald had a good Spring Game running with power and speed. Since he now has a better grasp of the offense, it would be difficult for anyone to unseat him at the position.

Morgan Newton: Morgan came in as a freshman and led Kentucky to its 4th consecutive bowl game which is a 1st in school history. Morgan has caught a lot of flack over his play in 2009, but let’s remember that he was a true freshman thrown into the SEC fire and his lack of knowledge in regards to the playbook and the speed of the game really hurt his production (I know for a fact that he was not happy with his play). Most fans were expecting to see more positive play from him during the Spring Game; however, the O-line really put him and the other QBs in a crunch due to the fact that they had limited time playing together and all of the QBs were almost running for their lives (the UK Staff admitted as such). Morgan will be a better player this year, again, due to the experience gained in the 2009 season, and spring practices.

Zipp Duncan interview

2010-07-14T07:00:00.001-04:00

Tonight I had the opportunity to interview Zipp Duncan who is preparing for camp with the Philadelphia Eagles. Zipp recently attended the Eagles mini camp and said, “Overall the experience was positive.” He inked a three year deal with the team, but it’s contingent on making the roster. The Eagles are mainly working him out at the guard positions, but he could see a little action at tackle. He talked about playing for a new coach, learning a new technique and adjusting to the speed of the game. He said the Eagles staff told him they were not going to bring guys in here that can’t play at this level.

We also discussed the future of Kentucky football. Zipp said, “The program is in good hands,” referring to Joker Phillips. We chatted about the offensive line and the potential struggles they could run into with only one starter returning. “Anytime you lose four seniors it’s going to be tough, but the guys will be fine,” Duncan said. He went on to say, “It’s real crucial they work together and camp is a month to work things out.” I asked Zipp to name a player besides Stuart Hines that could anchor the line and he suggested Larry Warford. “He has a big body, big feet, very aggressive and will be highly touted,” Duncan said. When talking about new faces on the defensive line he said, “Mister Cobble. When he turns it on, he is a load and hard to block for anyone.”

I asked Zipp how he felt about the legacy his class left on the program. He said, “Five years ago Rich Brooks sold us on a dream. He said he wanted to go to a bowl game every year.” Zipp also talked about Rich Brooks and Joker Phillips changing the nature of the program. He talked about them recruiting players who are use to winning and guys pushing each other in practice. One thing is certain; the team will miss Zipp in 2010. He worked hard and became part of something special. On behalf of the Big Blue Nation, we wish you nothing but the best Zipp!

Player Profile: Donald Russell

2010-07-13T21:56:00.000-04:00

Russell was rated a 3* RB by rivals.com in the 2009 UK recruiting class. Russell didn't RS his Freshman year. He had a 79 yard rushing TD against Eastern Kentucky. He had a very good spring and looks to be the backup to Derrick Locke this year.

Player Profile: Tristian Johnson

2010-07-13T17:51:00.002-04:00

Johnson is another Lagrange, Georgia product that is on the roster for UK. He plays DE and was rated a 3* by rivals. He'll get playing time this year after he Redshirted last season.

Phil Steele on UK football program

2010-07-13T15:36:00.003-04:00

Click on the link to hear Tom Leach's podcast with college football reporter Phil Steele. It's a very good report from one of the best. Is this the year the Cats overtake the Vols in the SEC East?

The SEC's All-Star Team by ESPN

2010-07-13T15:24:00.002-04:00

ESPN's Chris Low has put together a SEC All-Star team and few Cats are mentioned. Everyone expects Randall Cobb and DeQuin Evans to receive honors in 2010, but how about Danny Trevathan and Stuart Hines? I'm glad these two are receiving some recognition after their play in 2009.

ESPN on UK's Key Stretch

2010-07-13T09:59:00.000-04:00

ESPN has an article on the Cats key three game stretch in SEC play. The article points out Auburn, South Carolina and Georgia as the stretch that will play a vital role for UK to gain bowl eligibility again in 2010. The Cats get all three at home this year after winning two of the games on the road in 2009.

Tavarez interested in Kentucky

2010-07-13T09:38:00.002-04:00

Chris Tavarez (2011-S) who plays at Westlake High School in Georgia is seriously considering UK as his possible college destination. Larry Vaught has a great article on Tavarez and his relationship with former teammate Eric Simmons, who signed with the Cats in February.

2008 Recruiting Class Evaluation

2010-07-13T06:53:00.003-04:00

In this 3rd installment of looking at UK Recruiting classes that will influence the 2010 UK Football team, we look at the class of 2008. It should be noted that these players are now considered upper classmen and should have at least begun to make some kind of impact on the team, of course there is natural attrition due to academics, injury and general wash outs. This class should also be a part of the backbone for the 2010 season but unfortunately, that lot has fallen to the 2009 class which is red shirt freshmen and sophomores.

IMPACT PLAYERS:

Randall Cobb: Mr. Everything. At some point his name will be in the Ring of Honor. He now has over 20 TDs which is a very good college career, yet he still has 2 more years to add to that total. After the injuries in 2008 (to D. Lyons and D. Locke), he was basically the only offensive threat that we had on the team. He has been Mr. Everything for the team (WR/QB/RB/PR/KR), so whatever accolades that he gets are not enough. He is probably in the Top 10 of all time for skill position players which are not fulltime QBs.

Winston Guy: Safety. Winston came to UK very highly heralded out of HS, during his tenure, he has played pretty well, but there is one thing about his game that he really needs to step up----tackling. Instead of trying to block tackle people, he needs to start wrapping them up. He has the potential to be very good and the UK version of Ed Reed, but until he corrects this issue, he will only be a good player. The decision belongs to Winston, the price is millions of dollars in potential contract money, Winston, please make the right decision.

Danny Trevathan: WLB. Danny came in as a safety, but was immediately moved to the WLB position. He has shown the ability to make plays and take his game to the next level. His experience and leadership will be highly needed for the 2010 season. Like Cobb and Guy, he is a very good player for this team, and he should at least get a look by a team to play on Sundays.

Taylor Wyndham: SDE. Taylor was a redshirt freshman in 2009 who really flashed talent at times. He has spent the offseason rehabbing a shoulder injury and looks to return to form at Fall Camp. Taylor has added bulk and shown some speed in getting up field. Taylor needs to work on getting stronger and adding muscle. His non stop motor is probably his greatest asset, and he should again be a starter as long as his should is healed.

Cartier Rice: Cornerback. Cartier is one of the smaller Corners on the team, but by all accounts had a huge Spring Practice. Rice did get extensive playing time in 2009 which will also make him better this year. He has shown the ability to make plays, yet he also gave up some last year as well. Look for him to be a key reserve this year and possibly contend for a starting position in 2011.

NOT QUITE THERE YET:

Matt Smith: OC. Matt started the Miami game in 09 due to a suspension by J Gonzalez and immediately broke his ankle. Most people think that the Center position is his for the 2010 season, but there may be others who have something to say about that namely J Lanefski (if he is healthy), and possibly a couple of other players. His position is one of the most contested entering the 2010 season, if he wins the starting job, it will not be by default. Grade: INC.

William Johnson: WLB. Johnson enters the 2010 campaign as the probable #2 WLB behind D Trevathan. He has been in the system, so he knows the playbook better than the other competitors for the job. As yet, he has made almost no impact on the field, but also like others, he now has the opportunity especially if something happens to Danny T. Grade: INC.

Chandler Burden: OLT. Chandler has previously been assigned to the D-line, but that changed this offseason. The coaches moved him over to the offensive side to compete with B J Murphy. Chandler has great size and feet which are absolute requirements for a first rate OLT. Chandler seems to be willing to pay the price, knows what is at stake and is willing to pay that price. He also seems farther along than most of us thought that he would be at this point in his career. GRADE: INC, but if he has 2 monster years for the CATS at OLT, not only will he be drafted, but he would also go into the A list for this article. A solid career probably puts him on the B list.

Collins Ukwu: DE. Collins came in as an undersized DE. He has gotten stronger and the hope is that he begins to become a playmaker for the team this year. Last year, R Brooks raved about him, but he never really had any type of impact. If he fails to establish himself this year, he may get buried on the depth chart and never recover his career. Grade: INC.

Dave Ulinski: OL. Dave redshirted his freshman year and came back to play on special teams last year. He has a nasty attitude, but concussions have really wrecked havoc on his career and life (due to headaches). Another moderate concussion probably ends his career which is sad. If he gets healthy and stays healthy, he is probably the #2 ORT or the #2 OG behind L Warford or S Hines. Grade: INC.

Aaron Boyd: WR. When he committed to UK the Big Blue Nation jumped up and down in anticipation. Mono, weight, attitude, and speed have worked to keep him suppressed on the depth chart. Aaron really needs a huge year in order to redeem his career. If he chooses to sulk, he might not have the opportunity to make any kind of mark for the team. Grade: INC.

Gene McCaskill: WR. Gene came to UK as an undersized player. His career so far has been undistinguished and is probably getting buried deeper on the depth chart. By all accounts, Gene is a great dude. Something about him says HS coach. Grade: INC.

Trevino Woods: OL. Trevino came to UK as an O-lineman. Much like Gene M. he has had an undistinguished career and seems to be on the way down on the depth chart. He has a cool name, and is listed as the #2 ORT behind Brad Durham. Grade: INC.

Sean Stackhouse: TE/OL. Sean came to UK as a TE, but was switched to an OL that has now been switched back again. Sean looks to get buried on the depth chart unless he has a monster breakout year. Again, a great dude, but seems to be slipping. Grade: INC.

Matt Roark: WR. A special teams demon that can block punts and amass penalties in the same game. His defining moment may have been the Vandy game in 2008 when he had 3 roughing the punter penalties in the same game. He has made a few catches, but does not really look to be an impact player, he too looks to be moving down the depth chart unless he can begin to make some type of statement on the field. He has great length as a WR at 6 ft 4 in, but really has not distinguished himself. Grade: INC.

Jon Davis (UK Commit) Update

2010-07-13T06:38:00.000-04:00

Yesterday afternoon I caught up with Jon Davis regarding his commitment to Kentucky. Last week one report suggested Davis may be "wavering" on his commitment to UK. Davis told me he was still committed to UK and didn't know where the report came from.

He went on to tell me schools such as Louisville, Cincinnati and Oregon were still recruiting him and he may take a couple of visits this fall. Davis has built a nice relationship with Coach Turner and said they speak often. UK fans shouldn't be concerned about Davis taking visits. He simply wants to make sure he is making the best decision.

This is no different than DaMarcus Smith, Jamon Brown, Jalen Harrington and Jerrell Moore who are committed to Louisville taking visits to Kentucky. Blake Terry, another UK commit, told me he would be taking some visits with teammates as well. Remember these players only experience recruiting once in their lifetime so it's just part of the process.

Player Profile: Jake Lanefski

2010-07-12T18:00:00.000-04:00

Lanefski was rated a 2* by rivals.com. He is from Mobile, Alabama where he attended McGill Toolen. Lanefski can play Guard or Center. He will be going into his Jr. season. He injured his knee after only 5 games last season. His Freshman season he played in every game, earning starts in 4 of those games. He looks to compete for a starting role this year.

Zeke Pike (QB-2012) future 5 star?

2010-07-12T13:40:00.002-04:00

JC Shurburtt thinks he could be. Pike attends Dixie Heights in Edgewood, Kentucky. It has been said that Pike really likes Kentucky.

Player Profile: Mister Cobble

2010-07-12T12:53:00.002-04:00

Cobble could be considered one of the most underrated guys in the Cats 2009 recruiting class. The Louisville, Kentucky native was only ranked a 2* prospect by rivals.com. He along with teammate Ridge Wilson attended Central High School. Cobble Redshirted his Freshman season. He had a solid performance in the spring game and will see alot of time this year.

Breakthrough player

2010-07-12T11:50:00.000-04:00

In 2009 Sam Maxwell became a house hold name among UK fans with his game changing plays. Who are the most likely candidates to become breakthrough performers in 2010? Below are a few names to watch heading into fall camp.

Chris Matthews has the size and speed to become one of UK's biggest threats in 2010. Matthews showed flashes of his ability last year, but had trouble learning the offense. During fall camp last year, Randall Cobb raved about Matthews play-making ability. The Cats need need to show confidence in Matthews and throw the ball his way more in 2010.

Randall Burden has received praise from the staff and most feel he could be the next "lock-down" cornerback at UK. Burden has received a lot of playing time over the past two seasons which has only helped his confidence. Now he needs to force game changing plays in order to take the next step.

Ronnie Sneed has backed up Micah Johnson during his tenure at UK. He understands the defensive scheme and assignments which will give him an advantage this fall. Sneed has the inside track on the starting MLB spot, but will have some stiff competition this fall. Sneed will need to show he is more than capable of stopping the run as teams will test UK up the middle in 2010.

Mike Hartline has been the starting QB at UK for two years already. He has also been a lightning rod among fans. As a redshirt sophomore he was handed the keys to run the UK offense and lost his starting role to Randall Cobb. Hartline bounced back with his Liberty Bowl performance, then again for his junior year. He is more than capable of running the offense and is less likely to make a mistake than the underclassmen.

Chandler Burden was moved from defensive end to offensive tackle for 2010. He went through his first spring practice on the offensive side and made an impression on the staff. Burden is pushing for playing time this fall and would become a huge part of the offensive line if he can earn a starting role. They key for Burden will be working on his technique and pass protection.

Ranking the 2007 Recruiting Class

2010-07-12T08:32:00.003-04:00

In this installment we look at the UK Recruiting Class for 2007. These players are now seniors (except for the red shirts and those who have been injured), so they are well on their way to defining their careers at Kentucky. This is the class which should be having the most impact for UK for the upcoming 2010 season.

IMPACT PLAYERS:

Randall Burden: Cornerback. Randall has been a part time starter and is just now reaching his potential. He has the ability to become a playmaker in the secondary and also has a chance to start making more plays on the ball. At this point, Randall is a solid C+ with the opportunity to become an A over the next 2 seasons.

Brad Durham: Offensive Tackle. Brad has been a part time starter and in the 2009 season really came on when Justin Jefferies went down with an injury. They are working on Brad’s technique and his is a pretty good drive blocker already; with modest improvement, he can really make the right side of the line a real strength of this team. At this point, let’s give him a C+ with the chance to improve that grade significantly with a strong season.

Stuart Hines: Offensive Guard. Stuart has been the best O-lineman since Garry Williams left. He already is considered an SEC caliber starter and barring injury will have his name in the Ring of Honor. He still has 2 more seasons to play, so look for him to continue to improve and probably play on Sunday. Grade: Solid A

Billy Joe Murphy: Offensive Lineman. Murphy has fantastic length and other skills which have gotten him onto the field at times. He is currently in a dog fight with Chandler Burden for the starting OLT position. Most thought that the position would be his by default at the end of the 2009 season, Burden has made it interesting. At this time, due to his filling in and starting a few games in emergency situations in the past, I give him a C-. If he wins the starting OLT position and anchors it for the next 2 yrs, he will probably go to an A-. The sky is the limit for him, he can be pretty good if he wants it.

Ryan Tydlacka: Punter/Kicker. As my old PE teacher (Jim Beshear) used to say, “Anybody, with 1 eye and half sense knows what’s going on here!” The name says it all. Grade: B+ He has really helped UK out at times. Really under appreciated.

Derrick Locke: Running Back. This undersized track star came to UK because no one else really wanted him. He has world class speed and shown that he can be a difference maker. My favorite play from him was a pass that he threw on a sweep. Grade: A- , I am sure that it will soon change to an A+

NOT QUITE THERE YET:

Taiedo Smith: Safety. Taiedo is another with the chance this year to prove that he belongs on the field. He has other players pushing him in D Tyler, and Jarvis Walker. There are also other players which may get in on some action as well IE Josh Gibbs, and possibly Mychal Bailey. If Taiedo fails to make it this year, he will never be on the field again except for special teams. Grade: INC

Ronnie Sneed: Middle Linebacker. Ronnie has been a backup to Micah Johnson, and as of yet has not demonstrated the ability to be a difference maker. Again, as with many others, this is his year to shine. The talent of the players behind him is immense, so if he fails this year, he, like Smith would immediately drop on the depth chart never to recover. Grade: INC

Greg Meisner: Fullback. Greg came to UK as an undersized defensive end, and until this year has played only sparingly. His transition to fullback will hopefully resurrect his career at UK . At this time, he just has not been on the field or done enough to grade out. Like others in this class, there is just not enough production with a moderate season, he can get his grade up to a C- or so. Grade: INC

Jake Lanefski: Offensive Guard. Jake has been a solid player that suffered a serious injury in the 2009 season and is in rehab. Jake has a nasty streak and if his rehab goes as planned he will be a very valuable backup for the CATS in the future. Grade: C- to INC due to injury. Still a player that hopefully has another chance. He has had some playing time and has had some positive impact for the team

Shane MCord: Defensive Tackle. Shane has had little impact so far in his career. He did have one spectacular play in the Georgia game in 2009. The coaches want him to win a starting position for the 2010 season. He has the chance, the time is now. Grade: His senior season determines everything. For now, he is a C-, a good year can get him to a C+.

Jacob Dufrene: Linebacker. Jacob has yet to have an impact on the field, yet his opportunity is now. There are some rumors that he will be the starting SLB for the 2010 season, if this is so, he will have the opportunity to really up his grade. At this point, you want to give Jacob a low grade, but he has a year to redeem his career. Grade: INC

MISSED DUE TO INJURY:

Matt Lentz: Safety. Looked to be a player until concussions subdued him
The 2007 class should be the backbone of the team at this point; however, due to a lack of talent and injuries at various positions, this class will have marginal impact in the number of players which will see significant action on the field (about 6 players or so). Locke, Hines, and Tydlacka have had a very significant impact on the team in the past, and are looking like very stellar players.

Kyreek Brown Interview

2010-07-12T04:07:00.001-04:00

I recently interviewed Kyreek Brown an OL/DL from Elmore HS in Stanhope AL. Kyreek is a 6' 4" lineman that played DE on goal line situations and ORT in the 09 season. Brown has expressed interest in playing at UK and is being recruited by Tee Martin.

On offense, Kyreek played ORT last year, but looks to transition to TE for the '10 season. Brown attended the Alabama Camp in June of this year and currently has offers from Southern Miss and may soon have one from UAB. In addition to these schools, he has an interest in UK, Alabama, and OSU. The Senior plans on majoring in either Communications or Architecture in college and will choose a school based upon the type of education he can get and the type of environment offered by the school.

Kyreek says that the most influential people in his life have been his Mother and Aunt. As far as coaches and their influence, he points to his current HS Head Coach Jeff Foshee.

Brown thinks that his current skill set includes being able to catch the ball and breaking tackles after having caught the ball. He plans on working on his blocking skills this year in order to make him a more rounded player. His favorite players growing up included: Ted Ginn Jr., Troy Smith, and Rolando Mc Clain. Kyreek says that he runs a 4.61 in the 40 yard, and that his HS team for this year will rely upon defense and a running ball control offense.

Player Profile: E.J. Fields

2010-07-11T19:48:00.000-04:00

Fields was rated a 3* athlete by rivals.com. He commited to UK the night that UK upset #1 LSU. He is from Frankfort, Kentucky. Fields took a Redshirt his Freshman season. In August of his RS Freshman year, he injured his foot, causing him to miss the entire season. Fields plays as a WR and will try to earn time this season.

Which Cats are most likely to receive SEC honors in 2010?

2010-07-11T17:51:00.000-04:00

Mike Hartline was an ALL-SEC QB his sophomore year when the conference had stiffer competition. The Big Blue Nation is divided on Hartline as UK's starting QB. Based on feedback, Hartline is working hard this summer and appears to be leading the team. I still believe Hartline will be the starting against Louisville. Assuming he is, there is no reason he can’t receive more recognition.

Derrick Locke has received honors for his special teams play. Is this the year he finally receives some recognition as a running back? In order for Locke to do so he will need to break some long runs and Moncell Allen will have to lead the way. While the staff feels Allen is more than capable, fans still seem concerned. The Cats are also trying to put together a new offensive line for 2010.

Randall Cobb could be the conference player of the year and a potential Heisman candidate if the Cats can win eight or more games in 2010. While Cobb hasn’t received honors as a wide receiver, he could in 2010. He will need to have another big year on special teams to receive the same honors again.

Chris Matthews is poised to have a monster senior season. I’m not sure most people realize how big and athletic he is for a wide receiver. Matthews has learned the offense after struggling last season. He can be a deep threat with his speed, but has the size to win jump balls. Bottom line, the Cats must get the ball to Matthews more in 2010 if they are going to take the next step. If so, Matthews could end up an All-SEC selection.

Larry Warford received playing time as a true freshman and based on feedback from coaches and former players, he is the most talented lineman on the team. Stuart Hines is also a candidate, but based on feedback Warford has a great opportunity to earn some accolades if he continues to progress.

DeQuin Evans led the Cats in sacks for 2009 and should do so again in 2010. The Cats have a solid secondary; therefore Evans will receive plenty of pass rushing opportunities. The key for Evans will be stopping the run in 2010 and making some game changing plays. The SEC is always loaded with talent on the defensive line, but Evans has the ability to turn some heads in 2010.

Danny Trevathan is quietly making a name for himself as a linebacker in the SEC. Trevathan is fast and ferocious. In 2009 he played with a cast on his arm, which limited some things he was able to do on the field. Based on his performance during the spring game and the staff pushing him to lead the defense, he is also poised for a breakout season in 2010.

Winston Guy could be the key to UK’s defense in 2010. No single player on the team is being pushed harder by the staff than Guy. He has the frame to play safety at the next level, it’s time to translate the look into play. Guy has the speed to return an interception for a touchdown and if he can come up with some big plays, he too could receive some recognition. Considering Eric Berry left for the NFL, the recognition is there for the taking.

Randall Burden seems ready to have a big year for UK in the secondary. While a lot of people feel Paul Warford is the guy, the staff feels Burden has “lock down” potential. The key for Burden will be making the big play. Instead of just breaking up a pass, he needs to come up with an interception. Burden has received a lot of playing time and seems ready to take the next step.

Player Profile: Mark Crawford

2010-07-11T16:42:00.003-04:00

Crawford is from Indianapolis, Indiana. He attended Ben Davis High School, but elected to go to a Junior College. He went to Coffeyville Community College before commiting to UK. He was a 3* DT, top 100 JUCO prospect in 2009. He played in every game last season and recorded 16 tackles. Mark looks to earn more playing time this year.

Which Freshmen will make an impact?

2010-07-10T17:05:00.001-04:00

(Photo of Jerrell Priester)

As we inch closer to the start of fall football camp, many people are asking questions about the freshman class. While the Cats have several freshmen who could contribute, most are likely going to red shirt the 2010 season. Below are predictions for each freshman heading into the fall.

Most likely to contribute next season:

Jerrell Priester (ATH) could be the most versatile freshman on campus. Most schools recruited Priester to play Cornerback while UK sold him on playing in the “Wildcat” and Special Teams as well. Priester is another track star who immediately becomes one of the fastest players on the team. Priester would love a shot to line up on offense and has the confidence to play on either side of the ball.

Alex Smith (TE) was the highest rated recruit in the 2010 class. He has the size and ability to be a real playmaker at tight end. UK needs someone to step in at tight end and make a play. Nick Melillo appears to have the starting job for now, but Smith could push for immediate playing time.

Avery Williamson (LB) is probably the closest signee physically ready in the entire class. He is already as strong or stronger than most linebackers on UK’s campus now. Avery has great speed and takes great angles to the ball. He will compete for a starting job if he learns the defensive assignments.

Raymond Sanders (RB) reminds many people of Dion Lewis (Pitt) due to his size. Sanders is very shifty like Cobb, but faster. Due to his low center of gravity he isn’t afraid to lower his pads and run over defenders either. Because of the depth at running back, Sanders will likely be buried on the depth chart. However, he should have an impact on special teams and could line up in the slot position. .

Joseph Mansour (K) will make an impact this fall and has huge potential for a kicker. He can consistently kick field goals from 50+ yards and put the ball deep on kick offs. Remember, he was named to the Georgia All-Decade team coming out of high school. Kickers often get over looked, but Mansour should become a household name early in his career.

Justin Henderson (DE) was the first commitment in the entire class. He comes from a high school program that produces a ton of talent. The staff feels he will be ahead of most due to the coaching he has already received. Henderson was the only freshman who enrolled early and was able to participate in spring practice. By enrolling early, it gives him a huge advantage over the other freshmen.

Brice Laughlin (DT) could turn a few heads this fall during camp. Ricky Lumpkin will start at one spot and Mister Cobble appears to have the inside track on the other starting spot. However, Mark Crawford and Shane McCord will push for playing time. While Brice is already strong enough, he needs to learn the system and technique necessary to make an impact.

Jewell Ratliff (LB) was a late addition to the 2010 recruiting class, but has excellent size and speed. I’ve been told Ratliff has impressed since enrolling in June and will compete with Ronnie Sneed and Qua Huzzie for playing time. Much like Avery, he must learn a lot quickly for the staff to have confidence in putting him on the field as a true freshman.

Most likely to redshirt next season:

Brandon Gainer (RB) could easily move to the list above if he has a strong fall camp. Gainer has the size and speed to contribute early, but the staff likely won’t burn a redshirt on him unless he is going to contribute. Last year the staff dressed five running backs, so we should expect the same in 2010. (Locke, Allen, Russell, Williams and one more). Gainer hasn’t been cleared by the NCAA yet, but told me he doesn’t expect any problems. He is not on campus yet, but plans to arrive in late July.

Dale Trimble (CB) could be the “gem” of the entire class. UK managed to hold off other SEC schools for Trimble’s services late in the recruiting process. Trimble is a playmaker and opened eyes with his play during a post season All-Star game. He is now qualified and shouldn’t have any issues getting cleared to play. I believe Dale can compete for playing time, however the Cats have depth at cornerback and it’s unlikely both he and Priester play. Like Gainer above, Trimble isn’t on campus yet either.

Miles Simpson (RB) already has the size to be an every down back in the SEC. However, many are not sold on his speed as a running back. Some people feel Simpson should transition to Linebacker or Safety. The staff has stated he will be a running back at UK. His size will allow him to rush for tough yards and take the pounding that is necessary to play in the SEC. I think Simpson has a slight chance to play as a true freshman, but mainly on special teams.

Mike Douglas (DE) is another very long athletic player who is oozing with potential. If Douglas had enrolled early like Justin Henderson, he likely could have contributed this year. However, I think he has to get stronger before he can make a big impact. Because he is 6’5” he will disrupt passing lanes and is very fast. Fortunately, UK has a lot of depth and will need to redshirt some talent.

Nermin Delic (DE) is very similar to Mike Douglas in terms of potential. Delic is another very long player who will disrupt passing lanes and is working hard in the weight room to get stronger. Joker Phillips called him a “Monster”. He isn’t as fast as Douglas, but has real good footwork. Delic played tight end in high school, but will play defensive end at UK.

Ronnie Shields (TE) has the size and speed to make an impact immediately. However, he will have to get stronger to block at tight end. He appears to fit the Jacob Tamme mold more than Alex Smith due to his speed. Just like his other two teammates, Shields is bringing a winning culture from Georgia to Lexington.

Jabari Johnson (LB) is another very aggressive defensive player. Johnson has the build to play linebacker or defensive end. He didn’t arrive in June with his teammates (Raymond Sanders and Ronnie Shields) which has some concerned about his eligibility. Johnson could use a redshirt year to get stronger by most accounts. I’ve been told he will report in late July.

Alvin Davis (DE) will likely need a redshirt year to get stronger and put on some weight. Davis is very athletic, but UK has too much depth for him to see action as a true freshman. Joker Phillips recruited Davis, therefore he saw something he wanted to bring to Lexington. Davis has the potential to end up playing Linebacker as well due to his speed.

Eric Simmons (CB) is a speed demon who went up against some very good competition in Georgia. Due to UK’s depth, he is a likely redshirt candidate. Based on reports, Tee Martin recruited him at New Mexico too. He is very athletic and could be one of the fastest corners when he takes the field at UK.

Malcolm McDuffen (LB) is from Hopkinsville, KY and considered pretty raw by most evaluators. He played Defensive End in high school, but has been projected to play Linebacker at UK. McDuffen has good speed, but will need to make the transition to a new position.

Tyler Robinson (TE) is another Aloca, TN pipeline connection. Some schools recruited Robinson to play offensive line. He is projected to play tight end at UK. While Robinson doesn’t have the speed of Ronnie Shields, he is bigger. Some people feel Robinson was overlooked because his high school team didn’t have to throw the ball. He could be a sleeper this summer and one who could end up seeing some action.

Teven Eatmon (OL) has one of the most exciting highlight videos of any recruit. It’s amazing to watch a 280 lb tight end running down the middle of the field. Most people feel Eatmon will become an offensive tackle due to his size. If this is the case, he will need to get stronger to make the switch. He is another very interesting player who has a tremendous upside.

Tyler Brause (QB) was recruited as an athlete and also his high school Valedictorian. The staff is allowing Brause an opportunity to play quarterback, but could end up making a position switch during his career. Brause will need to work on his arm strength and mechanics if he is going to stay at QB.

Most likely to greyshirt or not enroll:

Tim Patterson (DE) was the biggest surprise in the 2010 class in my opinion. All signs indicated he would sign with Louisville. In the end, Joker Phillips was able to secure his commitment. Patterson played Linebacker in high school, but most have projected him to move to Defensive End in college. I continue to hear that Patterson will not make it to UK this fall and likely head to a Junior College or Prep School.

Farrington Huguenin (DE) was another late surprise by Joker Phillips. Huguenin is from South Carolina and most consider him a high risk / high reward type of player. Huguenin posted an extremely fast shuttle time at one combine and plays hard every down. Huguenin has already confirmed he will attend prep school this fall and plans to enroll at UK in January.

Donte Rumph (DE) gets placed in this category because this is the third time he has signed with UK. The staff kept their promise with Rumph and stuck with him. It also speaks volume of his potential. Because of his age, he is older than most freshman, but will have five years to play four. If he makes it on campus, he will need to get back into football shape.

Tim McAdoo (OL) signed with UK and most considered him a “soft commit”. I continue to hear he will not qualify and have attend Junior College or prep school this fall. The staff stated they would move him to the offensive line and he was already drawing comparisons to Larry Warford.

Juco Signees:

Josh Gibbs (S) was a Juco player from California who enrolled early and participated in spring practice. Gibbs actually started at strong safety during spring scrimmage. Gibbs is faster than Matt Lentz and based on his film is always around the ball. He should be a factor on special teams as well.

Mychal Bailey (S) is finishing up two summer classes and then should be cleared to enroll at UK in late July. Bailey signed with UK out of high school, but had to attend a Junior College for academic reasons. Bailey has a reputation of being a big hitter on defense, but also could see action returning kick offs as well. Look to see him make an impact on special teams for certain.

Player Profile: Moncell Allen

2010-07-10T16:30:00.000-04:00

Moncell Allen will be going into his final season with the Wildcats. The New Orleans native was a 3* RB coming out of high school. He looks to be the starting Full Back this upcoming season. Allen has solid hands and good blocking skills. His family was displaced by hurricane Katrina in 2005. I think the Turtle will do a good job in replacing John Connor.

Player Profile: Martavius Neloms

2010-07-10T09:04:00.000-04:00

Neloms was rated a 2* DB by rivals.com. He is from Memphis, Tenn. He played last year as a true Freshman. He earned his first start in the loss against South Carolina. USC took advantage of UK missing both of their starting CB's and Neloms struggled. Neloms looks like he can turn into a solid CB down the road.

Terrance Coleman interview

2010-07-10T06:05:00.000-04:00

Last night I interviewed Terrance Coleman (2011-DE/LB) who plays for Copiah-Lincoln Community College in Mississippi. Coleman currently holds offers from Kentucky, Tennessee, Memphis and Southern Miss. He doesn't list a favorite at this time and hasn't taken any visits thus far. Coleman informed me Tee Martin is handling his recruitment for UK.

He is being recruited to plan defensive end and linebacker. Coleman plans to take his visits in November and then make a final decision in December. He will be able to enroll in January. The Juco recruit is listed at 6'1" and 243lbs. He runs a 4.51 forty yard dash time. He is considering majors in Physical Education or Criminal Justice.

Player Profile: Chandler Burden

2010-07-09T19:00:00.000-04:00

Burden switched from the DL to the OL this spring, and is already in the lead for a starting job. He was rated a 2* prospect by rivals.com. He is from Blue Ash, Ohio and played at La Salle High School. Burden will be a Junior this season.

Player Profile: Cartier Rice

2010-07-09T15:27:00.002-04:00

Cartier Rice is a 3* DB from Duncan, South Carolina where he attended powerhouse Byrnes High School. He redshirted his freshman season. Last season he had one interception and 5 tackles. He looks to earn more playing time this season.

Recruiting 101

2010-07-09T11:48:00.003-04:00

(Photo of Avery Williamson on signing day)

The Bleacher Report has a nice breakdown of the recruiting process. Even if you are pretty familiar with the process, it's a good read. Two quick things I would point our are regarding offers and unofficial visits. Many recruits think they have an offer when they really don't. Sometimes coaches tell players they are going to offer to see what type of reaction they receive from the recruit. Lastly, the article didn't point out recruits attending spring practices. Attending spring practices is another very important part of the process that falls under the "unofficial visit" category. In my opinion, it's one of the best way's to gauge a recruits interest in the program.

Justin Brooks Interview

2010-07-09T06:13:00.004-04:00

I recently had the chance to interview Justin Brooks (class of 2011 RB) from McDonough HS in Pomfret MD. Justin is a 5' 8" as yet unranked RB with 4.44 speed, who also plays WR, DB, and sometimes QB.

At this time, Justin is interested in attending UK (his dad is a UK fan) and he himself adopted the CATs along with WVU, and Florida. The strengths of his game are his speed and knowledge of the game as well as his agility.

Justin plans to attend college and major in either Sports Management or Software Security. His selection process will be based upon the value of the education and strength of the football program. The most influential people are his immediate family (Mother, Father and Older Brother) while his most influential coaches are his Head Coach (Coach Ethington) and his Defensive Backs Coach (Coach Freeman).

At this time, Justin holds offers from Concord and Navy. Several other teams are showing interest as well including: Virginia, Old Dominion, NC A & T, and possibly Bowling Green.

Justin also stated that his HS team would be pretty good this year and that he looks to lead them to the State Championship.

Player Profile: Gene McCaskill

2010-07-08T17:42:00.002-04:00

Gene will be going into his Jr. season for the Wildcats. He is from Chester, South Carolina where he was rated a 2* prospect. He started 6 games last season. Gene had a nice performance his Freshman year in the AutoZone liberty bowl where he had 3 catches for 64 yards. Gene will bring experience to a solid WR core.

Razorbacks offer Dawson

2010-07-08T13:37:00.002-04:00

Lamar Dawson (2011-LB) informed me today that Arkansas recently offered and Cal is showing interest. Dawson could be the most sought after recruit in the Bluegrass state since Dennis Johnson or Tim Couch. The offers continue to pile up. He also plans to wait until after his season to make his college decision. I believe UK will make the cut, but his recruitment is still wide open.

Player Profile: Jacob Dufrene

2010-07-08T12:08:00.003-04:00

Dufrene was rated a 2* by rivals.com. He is from Cut off, Louisiana. It looks like Dufrene will start this season at the strongside Linebacker spot. Dufrene started last season during the bowl game for injured LB Sam Maxwell.

Jon Davis named as most Important for 2011

2010-07-08T09:15:00.004-04:00

According to the Bleacherreport, Jon Davis is the most important UK recruit for the 2011 class. The article names Jon as the #9 recruit and says that he is "wavering" in his committment. Jon is a TE/ATH who plays at Eastern HS in Louisville KY. He was one of the earliest verbals to UK.

Most Important 2011 UK Recruit?

2010-07-08T09:12:00.003-04:00

Who is the most important UK Recruit for the 2011 Class?

Photo is of Josh Forrest

Babe Parilli named Top 10 QB in SEC History

2010-07-08T08:12:00.004-04:00

Per the BleacherReport, former UK QB Babe Parilli has been named as one of the Top 10 QBs in SEC history. Parilli played for UK from '49 to '51, he led UK to one of its greatest wins ever in the Orange Bowl when UK beat then unbeaten Oklahoma. Parilli then went on the have a stellar professional football career playing for the Boston Patriots. Babe checked into the list at #9.

Sorry about the misspelling, I corrected it!!

Thanks for helping me out.

Randall Cobb in Top 25 Players in SEC

2010-07-08T08:04:00.003-04:00

Randall Cobb has been named one of the Top 25 players by the BleacherReport in the SEC for the 2010 season. Cobb, a junior from Alcoa TN was 2nd in TDs in the SEC in 2009 and plays numerous positions including: WR, PR, and Wildcat QB. Cobb checked in at #16 on the list which begs one to ask the question, "Are there really 15 players better than Randall Cobb in the SEC?" Seriously?

Randall Cobb named #5 WR in SEC

2010-07-08T08:00:00.002-04:00

The Bleacher Report has named Randall Cobb, WR from Kentucky as the #5 WR in the SEC for 2010.

Dr Jim Kovach named to Academic All American HOF

2010-07-08T07:35:00.004-04:00

The UKAA has an article on Jim Kovach being named to the Academic All American Hall of Fame. Kovach, who played for UK from '74-'78 is the only NFL player who attended Medical School during the offseason in order to get a Medical Degree. Kovach later attended Law School and is now the Director of a center which studies aging and the effects/diseases of aging.

Kovach still holds the career tackles record of 521, and was on the '76 team which won the Peach Bowl over North Carolina. Additionally, he was also on the '77 team which went 10-0-1, but was not bowl eligible due to NCAA sanctions. Jim was also drafted by the New Orleans Saints and was on their 20 yr anniversary team.

Incoming 2010 freshmen

2010-07-08T04:09:00.004-04:00

Someone asked the question in one of the comment sections, as to which true freshmen would be seeing playing time this season for UK.

The answer seems to at least include this players:

Jerrell Priester--his speed and playmaking ability might get him there this year. He will be playing CB, WR and Wildcat

Raymond Sanders--his speed and playmaking ability should put him on the field as a PR and KR. This would allow the team to rest other skill players (D Locke and R Cobb) and get him some game experience.

Alex Smith--he plays a position that we are desperate at IE TE. He has playmaking ability, but might be eased onto the field gradually since he will have had minimal practice time and will need to be comfortable with the playbook.

Justin Henderson--will almost definitely see the field. He has been at school since January and plays a position that we need an impact player IE DE (to rest D Evans, although Tristan Johnson is listed ahead of him for now). He will be a 2 or 3 deep player, but he has tremendous potential. He should be far ahead of other rookies as far as conditioning, strength and knowledge of the playbook. I look for him to put a death grip on a starting DE position in the 2011.

Brice Laughlin--Like A Smith and J Henderson, he plays a position that we are desperate at for playmakers. He got to school in June and is picking up things fairly rapidly. He was benching over 300 some time ago and there are no other DTs in this class. It would not surprise me to see him in the 2 deep from the get go. We are desperate for playmakers at his position (oops, I said that already).

Nermin Delic--His name has been mentioned by others as a player for this year, but to be honest I am not sure. The staff will play him when he is ready.

Joe Mansour--Kicker, I am sure the staff will get him on the field. According to all accounts, he can boom it!

Wildcards:

Avery Williamson--The staff has already told him that he is already as strong as the rest of the LBs on the team. His greatest deficiency would be knowing the playbook at this time, but when he gets it down, he might be one of the more underrated players in the class.

Dale Trimble--Again, Dale might be one of the underrated members of the class. He is not quite as big as I thought that he would be, but he brings the swagger and can back it up. The issue with Dale is also that he plays a position in which we have great depth (CB), so he might not see the field until 2011.

There may be others which also get substantial playing time, but I think that these are the ones that stick out.

Player Profile: Brian Adams

2010-07-07T20:43:00.002-04:00

Adams is from Gainesville, Georgia where he was rated a 3* prospect. He looks to be the sleeper in the WR core. Many people raved about his size and speed. He also spent the spring playing baseball. He is a very gifted athlete overall and I think he will make an impact this year.

Desmond Floyd still undecided

2010-07-07T16:43:00.003-04:00

Desmond Floyd (2011-DE) from South Carolina is still taking visits and won't make a decision until he takes his official visits. A while back some reports suggested Floyd was narrowing his list of schools and UK was in the mix. While the Cats have offered, Floyd could fall victim to the numbers game at UK.

On radio tonight at 7 pm EST

2010-07-07T13:09:00.003-04:00

I'll be on the Sports Nightly talk show with Dick Gabriel tonight on 630 WLAP. We'll be talking Kentucky Football and I'm very excited for the opportunity. I'm not sure if we'll take any callers or the format, but you should be able to click here to hear the broadcast.

2011 Future Watch - DB's

2010-07-07T09:45:00.000-04:00

DB Offers (known)

Alex Dixon, Andrew Johnson, Bruce Dukes, Damian Swann, Jared Boyd, Justin Coleman, Lamont McMurry, Robenson Therezie, Ronnie Harris, Avery Walls, Chris Sanders, Devanta Burns

DB Watch List

Calvin Caldwell, Chris Tavarez, Jaylen Harris, Jerry Williams, Ken Mullen, Leon Melvin, Mitchell Nelson, Nick Waisome, Nigel Malone, Pat Martin, Steven Montgomery, Thomas Finnie, Anthony Swain, Franklin Shannon, Tony McNeal

Already Committed

Darren Waller (Georgia Tech), Daylen Hall (Kentucky), David Stevenson (UConn), Eilar Hardy (Notre Dame), Flo Hardin (Indiana), Glen Faulkner (Kentucky), Jalen Harrington (Louisville), Jermaine Whitehead (Miss St.), Nick Temple (Cincinnati), Riyahd Jones (Kentucky), Zep Grimes (Illinois)

Updates

There has been a lot going on with this group of players since our last update. Several recruits made their decision and a few were surprising. The Cats picked up verbal commitments from Daylen Hall and Riyahd Jones. Hall is a speedster and Jones was a surprise. Jones attended UK’s camp and the staff came away impressed. Unfortunately, Flo Hardin picked the Hoosiers over the Cats. Hardin told me the Cats were recruiting him hard, but I guess the opportunity to play with his brother was something he couldn’t pass up. Eilar Hardy picked the Irish over UK and others. Hardy had said publicly he liked the Cats and the SEC, but after a trip to Notre Dame he couldn’t turn down their offer. Also, Darren Waller picked Georgia Tech over UK. His decision could have an effect on Troy Gray’s decision. David Stevenson from Stephenson High in Georgia picked UConn. He didn’t have an offer from UK, but was a name to watch. Coleman from Georgia continues to list the Cats as one of his leaders. The Cats did offer Lamont McMurry from Louisville. Some feel he will play on the offensive side of the ball while other feel he is a candidate to play cornerback at the next level. We’ll consider him an athlete at this point. Jerry Williams has been receiving attention from UK and others, but doesn’t hold an offer yet. I’ve been told Steve Brown really likes Williams potential to play free safety.

Most likely to be a Cat

Justin Coleman, Lamont McMurry, Nigel Malone, Jared Boyd or Jerry Williams. Two of the players I picked last time here chose other schools. Just goes to show you how difficult it is to project where guys will end up. Granted signing day is still a long ways off and things could change. All of the above guys have offers from UK with the exception of Williams.

Dicky Lyons Jr waived by Broncos

2010-07-07T09:06:00.002-04:00

Reports came out yesterday that Dicky Lyons Jr. has been waived by the Denver Broncos. We wish Dicky the best and hope he gets picked up by another team. Click for the article.

Zach West Update

2010-07-06T23:13:00.002-04:00

Zach West (2011-OL) from Lexington, KY will visit Auburn on July 16th and 17th and Cincinnati on July 25th. It still seems he is targeting a late summer decision so he can focus on his senior season. He remains the one of the Cats top offensive line targets for the recruiting class.

Player Profile: Taylor Wyndham

2010-07-06T23:01:00.004-04:00

Wyndham is a DE from Swansea, South Carolina that is most associated with his hit on Tim Tebow last season. Wyndham was a 2* coming out of high school. Wyndham looks to be the backup to Collins Ukwu this season.

Bleed Blue Kentucky Update

2010-07-06T17:20:00.003-04:00

Just wanted to let everyone know we are targeting July 15th as the "go live" date for the new site. Make sure you save the new site under your favorites. Also, I will be on the radio in Lexington tomorrow with Dick Gabriel to talk UK football.

Player Profile: Ryan Mossakowski

2010-07-06T15:16:00.002-04:00

Mossakowski may have surprised some people the day he commited to Kentucky over the likes of Alabama and Auburn. Mossakowski was rated a 4* recruit and the #14 QB by rivals.com. He would have been higher if he didn't have a shoulder injury that cost him most of his Senior season. The Frisco, Texas native looks to compete for playing time this year. He is said to be the most pure passer on Kentucky's roster. Moss may not see much playing time this year, but look for him to push Morgan Newton for the starting job next year.

Joker on Operation Win

2010-07-06T12:30:00.000-04:00

(Courtesy of Kentucky Sports Network)

Nick Martin names UK

2010-07-06T11:02:00.003-04:00

Per Ky Ink, UK has made the cut down list for Nick Martin. Martin, a highly regarded OT (ranked in the top 40 of the 2011 football recruiting class) from Bishop Chatard in Indianapolis is also the son of former UK player Keith Martin.