2010 EVALS OF RUNNING BACKS

(Photo is of D J Howard From Lincoln HS and Raymond Sanders of Georgia)

When the 2008 College Football Season ended, the CATS had rushed for 1,657 yards (3.7 yards/carry), and scored 18 touchdowns. The team then returned all of their runners from ’08 to the ’09 season with the exception of Tony Dixon. Among, the returners were: speedster Derrick Locke who was returning from a torn ACL suffered in the Arkansas game, John Conner, the all purpose fullback who had some preseason honors bestowed upon him by several magazines and the SEC Coaches as well, and Alphonso Smith a running back who was thought to be able to finally break out of the injury bug which had stalled his collegiate career. These 3 players along with Moncell Allen, another short back were seen as the main reason that the Wildcats would improve upon the all important ground game for the 2009 season. In addition to these men, Randall Cobb was also thought able to also spark the team to victory by running from the “WildCat/WildCobb” formation.

While the 2009 season was indeed much better in the ground game, it would have been even better had the team been able to improve upon the ’08 passing numbers of 54.7 completion rate, for 13 TDs and 11 INTs for a total of 2234 yards. In fact, it was thought that by increasing the passing yardage by 50 or so yards/game, cutting down on the INTs to single digits, while increasing the TDs even modestly, that the ground game would be even more potent than ever. Interestingly enough, the passing game went into a significant tail spin, and yet the ground game still increased in production significantly. The end result of the ground game was that the CATS would finish the season for the 2nd yr in a row without anyone rushing for 1,000 yards (the last was R Little in 2007 with 1013 yards and 3 TDs). The final ground game stats for the ’09 season would be 2,486 yds. for a 4.5 average/carry and 26 TDs.

The season opened with uncertainty of how the ACL injury to D Locke would impact him for his career much less for the 2009 season. Derrick answered that question early in the season by laying hold of the starting running back position and never relinquishing it throughout the year. In fact, throughout the year, Derrick often displayed his truly world class speed at will and in various situations most notably on the stretch play that the CATS often ran to the left side of the field. The season finally ended with Locke leading the team in yardage with 844 for a 4.7 average and 6 TDs.

The other ground threat, Randall Cobb was 2nd in yardage and led the team in rushing TDs with 10. Cobb’s yardage was from the WildCobb formation which Randall ran in addition to being the team’s top receiver.

The rest of the UK running backs provided significant help at times throughout the year, but never really made consistent impact for sustained periods of time. Among the rest of the stats were: A. Smith 244 yds. and 2 TDs; M. Allen 209 yds. and 2 TDs; Freshman Donald Russell who led the team with a 10.5 yds/run for 137 yards and 1 TD; and Coshik Williams for 50 yds. and 0 TDs. Additionally, M. Newton chipped in with 130 rushing yards and 2 TDs while fullback John Conner ran for 156 yards and also had 2 TDs.

Neither Freshman Dakotah Tyler (look for Dakotah to move to Safety for the ’10 season) nor Jonathon George would be active for any of the games in 2009 and were redshirted.

With a month left until National Signing Day, the Wildcats have locked up Raymond Sanders from Georgia for the future. Sander’s 4.4 forty time, and stature remind you of Derrick Locke. Additionally, Raymond came on in his senior season to lead his team deep into the playoffs and also stealing another recruit’s notoriety by rushing for over 100 yards and scoring 3 TDs on a nationally televised game in the middle of the season. This outing caused him to rise in the recruiting services rankings to just a notch below being a 4 * recruit which goes to show that the staff at UK does indeed know how to evaluate players and get them to the Commonwealth.

Several names have been mentioned as potential signees: Storm Johnson (this would truly be a coupe and he is committed to “The U”. With the starting RB from The U getting hurt in their bowl game, Johnson can essentially play at his dream school and be an early contributor, so a word to the UK faithful, you may not want to get your hopes up); Miles Simpson is another name which gets batted around (he has had his chances to sign and something tells me that the staff has moved on from him); Rajaan Bennett (my personal opinion is the same as I see for Miles Simpson, but he may still on the radar); D. J. Howard from perennial powerhouse Lincoln HS (Ala.) is committed to Auburn. He had several offers from many other Big Time schools and definitely wants to run the ball, but many think that Auburn wants him to play DB. Finally, Brandon Gainer (see Aaron’s interview from Sunday 1/3/10) from Miami Fl. (I am going out on a limb and proclaim him as the other UK candidate for the ’10 class. The staff covets Brandon. Gainer is explosive and can come in and almost immediately contribute. While he is a dark horse candidate he would also open up the Wildcats to more Florida football talent and that can never be a wrong thing).