Tonight I spoke with Xavier McFadden's father regarding his son's recruitment. His father told me that Xavier wants to play for Kentucky and has tried to commit. His father also told me that Xavier had to take an online course to get his grades straightened out (which he has done), but will be qualified after his first semester. Xavier played in the Shrine Bowl (NC/SC All Star Game) and has received a ton of interest since then. He is currently being recruited by N.C. State, Auburn, Illinois and Louisville. Xavier is currently playing basketball and will run track in the spring. It appears that Xavier could have fallen on UK's recruiting board or grades could have caused some concern for the coaching staff. McFadden has played against some stiff competition and even attended UK for camp, so the coaching staff is very familiar with his ability. You can check previous posts for his highlight video as well. Sometimes recruiting is not fun for either the players or coaches.**Update**
I guess I wasn't clear as many people think Xavier was holding out for a better offer. Xavier tried to commit in September during the Florida game. I'm speculating that grades were a concern for the coaching staff or he wasn't their top priority. At the time he tried to commit, UK didn't have any DB commitments.
KY coachs begged McFadden to commit this summer and he wanted to wait for a bigger offer, since that time UK has moved on.
ReplyDeleteHe has some of the better highlights that I have seen for a UK DB. We already have 6 verbals for the '10 class and lose at least 3 players (T Lindley, C Harrison, and A Cobb). We have players with playing time returning (M Neloms, C Rice, P Warford, R Burden, W Guy, M Lentz, and T Smith), I wonder if there is one that did not make the grades? Was it P Warford who had to sit out in '08 due to grades?
ReplyDeleteAnyone else think that Matt Lentz may switch to SLB and be Sam Maxwell for the next 2 yrs? He would add speed, impact, and start in an area where we are extremely short on depth?
Curious what anyone else might think on this.
Thanks
Bill
I have been on board with Lentz to LB all season. He doesn't have the speed to play in the secondary in the SEC.
ReplyDeleteMcFadden tried to commit to UK while visiting during the Florida game. At that time, there were no DB's committed. He would have been their first. Why would they not accpet his commitment at that time? In my opinion, either they felt he wouldn't qualify or he was lower on their list than some others. The staff said early, they were not taking as many commitments as they could in case other players became available (Ex. Sloan).
Grades sounds likely, obviously they are quite familiar with the kid. On a side note, Im glad were gonna end up with a class that in my opinion is going to be better than than the last couple. As has been said so many times before out staff has a keen eye for talent and they are pretty amazing evaluators.
ReplyDeleteThe "Flash" players ie QBs, WRs and RBs are not there but there are "some very important pieces" to this class!!
ReplyDeleteSo many fans fail to realize what it takes to actually build a team and how long it takes too.
We are on th right track regardless of the naysayers.
Bill
It takes a long time. In my opinion, this class is better than last year's. UK needs at least one receiver and at least one more running back.
ReplyDeleteIMHO, receivers are the bigger need we have several RBs back from last yrs class IE D Russell, D Tyler, C Williams, D Locke (slight possibility) etc
ReplyDeleteReceivers typically take a yr or two to develop, so by the time Matthews leaves that wouls hopefully mean a receiver would have stepped up.
BTW, it would not surprise me if A Boyd never sees the field as a Wildcat again. I am still not sure that he understands what it takes to be a big time college player. We shall see
Bill
That was what got us in our class 2 years ago. We had to recruit the WR position so heavily b/c there was no balance in bringing in that position the previous couple of classes. Then we had to attempt to depend on the youth we brought in making plays and as weve seen there just hasnt been any real consistency at that position over the past 2 seasons. After Burton, johnson, and Tamme left the cupboard was dry. We definitely need at least one more receiver this class so we dont have the same issues in 2 years. I tell ya what, LaRod King is a big breathe of fresh air though. I love it when a under-hyped KY kid makes the magic happen. Merry Christmas everyone!
ReplyDeleteMickey I agree with everything you said!!
ReplyDeleteWhen Dickie Jr went down that left us very vulnerable.
Merry Christmas to you and all the readers as well
Bill
I'm confident UK will land a receiver in the 2010 class. Also, Boyd will be much better next year and don't count out Matt Roark. Roark is very long and will only be a junior. UK will lose Matthews after 2011 (senior) and could lose Cobb. Cobb will consider the NFL becuase the collective barganing agreement will be in effect if he comes back in 2012. Even if he is a lower pick, he could make more money. It's possible.
ReplyDelete