The 2010 recruiting class appears to be wrapped by most accounts. However, Joker said during his press conference that the staff wasn't done recruiting. It's still possible to add another player to the class. Two names that come to mind are Patrick Swilling Jr. (New Orleans, LA) and Tyrrell Willis (Murray, KY).
Swilling said he may not decide on signing day as he still had a few visits he needed to take, including one to UK. Swilling is being pursued by several BCS programs and would be another welcome addition to UK's program. Swilling projects to play LB or Safety at the next level.
Willis visited UK for the Louisville game, but then gave the Cardinal staff his verbal at one point. It's unclear if the new UL staff turned him away or he isn't going to qualify. Regardless, UK had some interest. There are some reports that Memphis is recruiting Willis as well. Willis projects as a middle linebacker or defensive end. He also ran the ball in high school so it could be possible he could play full back as well.
Joker has made it clear, UK will not take any players unless they are better than what they already have. Also, with 2011 being such a small class, the staff could elect to save scholarships for next year too.
First, let me say that you are doing a great job here with your blog. In terms of accurate and prospective discussions, you are outperforming the bigger UK fan websites. Thank you again for your excellent efforts.
ReplyDeleteObviously, we are talking about opinions here. My opinion is that Joker might offer Tyrrell Willis a preferred walk-on opportunity under certain circumstances, but not a full ride. After Wecdnesday, UK's roster is now three over the NCAA-mandated 85 scholarship limit. And even though the numbers will get worked out through academic issues and other roster attrition, the staff still has to worry about preserving scholarship opportunities for their smaller 2011 class. They won't give a scholarship to Willis that could be used to sign a WR or a DT in 2011.
Patrick Swilling is another matter. Joker's chance to sign Swilling isn't very good because LSU and Auburn (among others) are all over him right now. But if Joker gets him on campus, UK has a chance. They would take Swilling on scholarship because he represents everything Joker is trying to build in Lexington. He is fast and athletic, has a great pedigree, and is still growing. He could eventually be an all SEC OLB or DE. UK won't sign many prospects in 2011 with Swilling's excellent athletic upside.
With that said, UK's staff has a difficult task ahead to manage their 2011 signing class. Only 12 UK seniors are scheduled to graduate a year from now. They already have two verbal commitments from Darrian Miller and Jon Davis for 2011. Their future obligations to Ryan Wallace and Terrell Combs must be kept in mind. They will need a couple of WRs, a QB, a couple of LBs, a safety, and more linemen on both sides of the LOS.
I agree with your feedback. UK showed interest in Willis and he didn't seem to show the same in UK. It wouldn't surpise me to see him at Memphis or another Kentucky school. I wanted to point him out beucase it is possible he could join the program in some capacity.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you completely on Swilling. He was suppose to take two more visits. I believe it was Auburn and UK. If UK gets him on campus they have a shot in my opinion.
UK's 2011 class will be small (which many people aren't talking about). It stinks too becuse the 11' class is loaded with talent.
I'm hearing Huguein is a long shot to make it on camus and could grey shirt. Also, Patterson appears to be headed for a grey shirt as well. I've heard rumors that McAdoo may not qualify. The numbers always work out!
Aaron, I agree with you. I will be surprised if Patterson ever makes it to Lexington, although I think Joker did the right thing by signing him because it shows everyone that Joker can outrecruit Charlie Strong in UL's own back yard. A handful of other members of UK's class still have work to do before they will achieve academic eligibility, including McAdoo and Huguenin.
ReplyDeleteThere are also several current Wildcats who are on a slippery academic slope. A redshirt freshman TE is widely known to be one of those, and I have heard several other names as well.
Twelve seniors are tentatively scheduled to graduate next year, and Combs and possibly Wallace may go on scholarship in 2011 as well. But I suspect Joker will be able to sign 16-18 new prospects in his next class.
Your observation about the high overall quality of the 2011 class is a very good point to remember. One other thing to remember is that UK's roster needs in the next class will be more focused than this year or last year. In 2011, Joker needs another QB, a couple of WRs, one or two safeties, one or two LBs, and a handful of linemen on both sides of the LOS. Quite possibly, he may be able to get everything he needs by signing 15 new guys next year if they are the right ones.