In 2009, the UK Football Coaching Staff had the luxury of redshirting several defensive players in order to better prepare them for their future careers as Wildcats. These redshirts were allowed to practice with all team activities except for playing in actual games; this allowed each of the players to enter the 2010 season faster, stronger and more brushed up on position skills which would assist them in developing as better players. Some of the redshirts are recovering from injuries which were sustained in either high school (especially on the offensive side of the ball IE Ryan Mossakowski and Brian Adams) or injuries sustained in training camp upon arrival at UK (Linebacker Qua Huzzie).
There were several Defensive Line players which were redshirted for the 2009 season including: Mister Cobble (Louisville Central), Myron Walker (Metairie Louisiana/Rummels) Patrick Ligon (Memphis TN/Christian Brothers HS) and Tristian Johnson (LaGrange HS in Georgia). Each, of these 4 players will enter the ’10 season having been in the strength and conditioning program at Kentucky for a year which will only help them in their player development.
Cobble (a 2*) and Walker (3*) project as Defensive Tackles and were already as strong as bulls. Additionally, each demonstrated the ability to disrupt plays and dominate the line of scrimmage in high school. The main knock on each of them was their height as each of them came into college around the 6 ft mark. Had either player been 2-3 inches taller, they each would have no doubt added a star to their rankings, and been considered as better players.
Several scenarios have been discussed in regards to Patrick Ligon (a 2* recruit). At Christian Brothers, he was a Defensive End, but his future position at UK remains up in the air with various opinions split on where he should wind up playing. Some feel he is strictly a Strong Side Defensive End (lacking the speed to play on the right side), while some have said that he needs to move in to Defensive Tackle, and yet others with the opinion that he needs to become an Offensive Guard. At this time, the consensus is that there is no consensus on him, yet he could be a valuable future player due to his size (he was 6 ft. 5 in. and over 250 lbs when he enrolled at UK) and his versatility.
Johnson, a 6 ft. 3 in. 3 * recruit from LaGrange is projected to play Defensive End. Tristian came in to UK under 225 lbs. which made him extremely light for the position; however, he has added bulk and muscle and looks to play a backup role during the upcoming season.
The most notable redshirt recruit which signed with Kentucky on the defensive side of the ball was Qua Huzzie. The explosive, 3 * player, from Georgia was redshirted after he injured his shoulder in training camp. Reportedly, Qua has recovered from the injury, and bulked up in the weight lifting program. He has also gained about 20 lbs of muscle which should help him better adapt to the college game, and make him a serious threat for playing time this year (possibly even starting later in the season).
Ryan Mosby, a 3 * Linebacker probably benefitted more from being redshirted than anyone. He came to Lexington weighing less than 200 lbs. with blazing speed and striking ability. The 6 ft player, from Texas looks to provide tremendous depth at the Linebacking position by backing up Danny Trevathan at the Weak Side Linebacker position (which given his size is probably the only position for him). He is the type of player that could ultimately start when Trevathan sets off to ply his wares in the NFL.
The only player from the Defensive Backfield which was redshirted was Jarvis Walker. Jarvis, brother of Myron is really a hybrid Linebacker or Safety candidate. The HS film on him shows that he has great range and knock out ability. Should he project at safety look for him to be a safety which provides run support. If he projects to Linebacker, he probably has enough speed to play Strong Side Linebacker and cover Tight Ends coming out of the backfield.
The redshirting of these players shows that UK is now in a position to hold back players for a year and allow them to better develop. The speed and size of most of these players increases the depth and talent base heretofore unknown in the Wildcat Nation which will ultimately move the Blue Nation up the pecking order of the SEC East.
There were several Defensive Line players which were redshirted for the 2009 season including: Mister Cobble (Louisville Central), Myron Walker (Metairie Louisiana/Rummels) Patrick Ligon (Memphis TN/Christian Brothers HS) and Tristian Johnson (LaGrange HS in Georgia). Each, of these 4 players will enter the ’10 season having been in the strength and conditioning program at Kentucky for a year which will only help them in their player development.
Cobble (a 2*) and Walker (3*) project as Defensive Tackles and were already as strong as bulls. Additionally, each demonstrated the ability to disrupt plays and dominate the line of scrimmage in high school. The main knock on each of them was their height as each of them came into college around the 6 ft mark. Had either player been 2-3 inches taller, they each would have no doubt added a star to their rankings, and been considered as better players.
Several scenarios have been discussed in regards to Patrick Ligon (a 2* recruit). At Christian Brothers, he was a Defensive End, but his future position at UK remains up in the air with various opinions split on where he should wind up playing. Some feel he is strictly a Strong Side Defensive End (lacking the speed to play on the right side), while some have said that he needs to move in to Defensive Tackle, and yet others with the opinion that he needs to become an Offensive Guard. At this time, the consensus is that there is no consensus on him, yet he could be a valuable future player due to his size (he was 6 ft. 5 in. and over 250 lbs when he enrolled at UK) and his versatility.
Johnson, a 6 ft. 3 in. 3 * recruit from LaGrange is projected to play Defensive End. Tristian came in to UK under 225 lbs. which made him extremely light for the position; however, he has added bulk and muscle and looks to play a backup role during the upcoming season.
The most notable redshirt recruit which signed with Kentucky on the defensive side of the ball was Qua Huzzie. The explosive, 3 * player, from Georgia was redshirted after he injured his shoulder in training camp. Reportedly, Qua has recovered from the injury, and bulked up in the weight lifting program. He has also gained about 20 lbs of muscle which should help him better adapt to the college game, and make him a serious threat for playing time this year (possibly even starting later in the season).
Ryan Mosby, a 3 * Linebacker probably benefitted more from being redshirted than anyone. He came to Lexington weighing less than 200 lbs. with blazing speed and striking ability. The 6 ft player, from Texas looks to provide tremendous depth at the Linebacking position by backing up Danny Trevathan at the Weak Side Linebacker position (which given his size is probably the only position for him). He is the type of player that could ultimately start when Trevathan sets off to ply his wares in the NFL.
The only player from the Defensive Backfield which was redshirted was Jarvis Walker. Jarvis, brother of Myron is really a hybrid Linebacker or Safety candidate. The HS film on him shows that he has great range and knock out ability. Should he project at safety look for him to be a safety which provides run support. If he projects to Linebacker, he probably has enough speed to play Strong Side Linebacker and cover Tight Ends coming out of the backfield.
The redshirting of these players shows that UK is now in a position to hold back players for a year and allow them to better develop. The speed and size of most of these players increases the depth and talent base heretofore unknown in the Wildcat Nation which will ultimately move the Blue Nation up the pecking order of the SEC East.
The above Photo is of Tristian Johnson of LaGrange
Demetri Merrit is not listed on the roster.
ReplyDeleteIn the fall he was mentioned as not being on the
team at all.
One thing I think a lot of we fans over look, myself included, is the improved quality of depth at all positions. Being able to redshirt this players is a testament to that and only bode well for the future. It is a slow steady climb, but we are doing it.
ReplyDeleteThanks!
ReplyDeleteYou are correct, every year we are replacing previous talent with better talent!