Below are the players who red-shirted last season. There are several players who will compete for playing time and others will have back up roles. We will take our best guess based on feedback and reports as to each player’s role for 2010. One thing is clear, UK is building depth within the program.
Brian Adams (WR) had to sit out 2009 due to heath concerns. Adams played quarterback in high school and is currently working out with the UK baseball team. In watching Brian’s film, he is a very good athlete. He will play receiver at UK and some feel he will make an impact immediately. I don’t believe Adams will start, but he should see action on special teams and work in the receiving rotation. The Cats didn’t sign any receivers in the 2010 class, but technically are adding one in Adams.
Dakotah Tyler (S) came to UK as a running back and spent the 2009 season working in the back field. However, Joker Phillips announced Tyler requested a move to Safety. My guess is prep star from Indiana saw the writing on the wall with the UK backfield and figured his opportunity for playing time would come in the UK secondary. Tyler has a good frame and will add more speed to the secondary. He will have his work cut out to earn playing time. However, he should make an impact on special teams.
Jarvis Walker (S) and his brother came to UK from Louisiana. Based on reports, Jarvis will play strong safety at UK. He does have the size to make a move to outside linebacker at some point in his career. He will need to have a big spring to move up the depth chart and compete for playing time this fall.
Jonathan George (RB) spent the 2009 season working on the UK scout team. George has good speed and there was no reason to waste a year of eligibility with UK having several running backs in 2009. George will back up Derrick Locke, Moncell Allen and likely Donald Russell heading into spring practice. Look for George to see action on special teams as speed is crucial for success.
Jordan Aumiller (LB) came to UK as an athlete that many felt could see action at tight-end. However, in 2009 the Boyle County athlete worked as a linebacker on the scout team. Aumiller needs to have a big spring and huge fall in order to compete for playing time. Outside of Danny Trevathan’s position, the other two spots are wide open. My guess is Aumiller spends 2010 as a back-up to Qua Huzzie, Ridge Wilson or Ronnie Sneed.
Kevin Mitchell (OL) will likely back up in 2010, but with UK losing four seniors the starting jobs are wide open. UK didn’t sign many offensive linemen in the 2010 class so Mitchell will be another freshman, except he should be stronger and understand the game plan a year later.
Mister Cobble (DT) earned the respect of his coaches and teammates after being named the scout team Defensive Player of the Year. Ricky Lumpkin will anchor one side of the interior line. However, the Cats lost Corey Peters and his job is open heading into spring. I believe Mark Crawford, Shane McCord and Cobble will battle for playing time. There have been some rumors that Chandler Burden could move to the interior line from defensive end. Cobble has a very low center of gravity and plays hard on every down. He needs to have a big spring and should be a factor heading into fall camp.
Myron Walker (DL) came to UK with his brother Jarvis (see above) and spent last season working on the scout team. Myron is a load up front at 260 lbs and been described as “bowling ball” because he is 5’10”. There have been some reports that suggest Myron could be leaving the program. I can’t confirm, but am just passing along what I have heard. If he sticks around at UK, expect him to back up Ricky Lumpkin, Shane McCord and Mark Crawford.
Patrick Ligon (DE) will likely back up at the defensive end position. Ligon could possibly move to the interior line at some point in his career. He is approx 6’5” and 260 lbs. Joker has stated many times, UK needs to get longer at the defensive end position to interfere with passing lanes. With Ligon’s height, he can do just that. However, he may not be as athletic as some of the other ends on campus.
Qua Huzzie (LB) came to UK as another under-the-radar recruit from LaGrange and many schools over-looked him due to his height. In watching Huzzie’s film, what he lacks in height he makes up in speed. Huzzie attacks the ball and plays up field. He also has the speed to match up with running backs coming out of the back field. Look for Huzzie to compete for the starting job this spring and fall.
Ryan Mosby (LB) came to UK as a three-star recruit from Texas. Mosby fits the OLB mold as he is 6’ tall and 200 lbs. Mosby has a good speed running a 4.5 forty-yard dash. Ryan will likely back up Danny Trevathan and compete for playing time this spring. Mosby could be one of the more underrated players heading into spring practice.
Ryan Mossakowski (QB) could be the top recruit from the 2009 class and will battle with Mike Hartline and Morgan Newton for the starting job in 2010. The staff has been impressed with his decision making ability and he could win the starting job this fall. The Texas star has always had great arm strength and needs to show his is fully recovered from his shoulder injury. Many people have written Mossakowski off because of Morgan Newton’s performance last year, but don’t count him out.
Sam Simpson (OL) was one of the prize recruits in the 2009 recruiting class for the Cats. The center could have earned playing time last year, but the staff had some depth and decided to use a red shirt on him. Simpson will compete for the starting job this spring and will likely battle Matt Smith for the starting center job.
Tristian Johnson (DE) is another LaGrange prospect Joker Phillips pulled out of Georgia. With UK’s depth at defensive end in 2009, there was no reason to waste a year of eligibility. Johnson will have to compete for a back up role behind DeQuin Evans, Taylor Wyndham and Collins Ukwu.
Brian Adams (WR) had to sit out 2009 due to heath concerns. Adams played quarterback in high school and is currently working out with the UK baseball team. In watching Brian’s film, he is a very good athlete. He will play receiver at UK and some feel he will make an impact immediately. I don’t believe Adams will start, but he should see action on special teams and work in the receiving rotation. The Cats didn’t sign any receivers in the 2010 class, but technically are adding one in Adams.
Dakotah Tyler (S) came to UK as a running back and spent the 2009 season working in the back field. However, Joker Phillips announced Tyler requested a move to Safety. My guess is prep star from Indiana saw the writing on the wall with the UK backfield and figured his opportunity for playing time would come in the UK secondary. Tyler has a good frame and will add more speed to the secondary. He will have his work cut out to earn playing time. However, he should make an impact on special teams.
Jarvis Walker (S) and his brother came to UK from Louisiana. Based on reports, Jarvis will play strong safety at UK. He does have the size to make a move to outside linebacker at some point in his career. He will need to have a big spring to move up the depth chart and compete for playing time this fall.
Jonathan George (RB) spent the 2009 season working on the UK scout team. George has good speed and there was no reason to waste a year of eligibility with UK having several running backs in 2009. George will back up Derrick Locke, Moncell Allen and likely Donald Russell heading into spring practice. Look for George to see action on special teams as speed is crucial for success.
Jordan Aumiller (LB) came to UK as an athlete that many felt could see action at tight-end. However, in 2009 the Boyle County athlete worked as a linebacker on the scout team. Aumiller needs to have a big spring and huge fall in order to compete for playing time. Outside of Danny Trevathan’s position, the other two spots are wide open. My guess is Aumiller spends 2010 as a back-up to Qua Huzzie, Ridge Wilson or Ronnie Sneed.
Kevin Mitchell (OL) will likely back up in 2010, but with UK losing four seniors the starting jobs are wide open. UK didn’t sign many offensive linemen in the 2010 class so Mitchell will be another freshman, except he should be stronger and understand the game plan a year later.
Mister Cobble (DT) earned the respect of his coaches and teammates after being named the scout team Defensive Player of the Year. Ricky Lumpkin will anchor one side of the interior line. However, the Cats lost Corey Peters and his job is open heading into spring. I believe Mark Crawford, Shane McCord and Cobble will battle for playing time. There have been some rumors that Chandler Burden could move to the interior line from defensive end. Cobble has a very low center of gravity and plays hard on every down. He needs to have a big spring and should be a factor heading into fall camp.
Myron Walker (DL) came to UK with his brother Jarvis (see above) and spent last season working on the scout team. Myron is a load up front at 260 lbs and been described as “bowling ball” because he is 5’10”. There have been some reports that suggest Myron could be leaving the program. I can’t confirm, but am just passing along what I have heard. If he sticks around at UK, expect him to back up Ricky Lumpkin, Shane McCord and Mark Crawford.
Patrick Ligon (DE) will likely back up at the defensive end position. Ligon could possibly move to the interior line at some point in his career. He is approx 6’5” and 260 lbs. Joker has stated many times, UK needs to get longer at the defensive end position to interfere with passing lanes. With Ligon’s height, he can do just that. However, he may not be as athletic as some of the other ends on campus.
Qua Huzzie (LB) came to UK as another under-the-radar recruit from LaGrange and many schools over-looked him due to his height. In watching Huzzie’s film, what he lacks in height he makes up in speed. Huzzie attacks the ball and plays up field. He also has the speed to match up with running backs coming out of the back field. Look for Huzzie to compete for the starting job this spring and fall.
Ryan Mosby (LB) came to UK as a three-star recruit from Texas. Mosby fits the OLB mold as he is 6’ tall and 200 lbs. Mosby has a good speed running a 4.5 forty-yard dash. Ryan will likely back up Danny Trevathan and compete for playing time this spring. Mosby could be one of the more underrated players heading into spring practice.
Ryan Mossakowski (QB) could be the top recruit from the 2009 class and will battle with Mike Hartline and Morgan Newton for the starting job in 2010. The staff has been impressed with his decision making ability and he could win the starting job this fall. The Texas star has always had great arm strength and needs to show his is fully recovered from his shoulder injury. Many people have written Mossakowski off because of Morgan Newton’s performance last year, but don’t count him out.
Sam Simpson (OL) was one of the prize recruits in the 2009 recruiting class for the Cats. The center could have earned playing time last year, but the staff had some depth and decided to use a red shirt on him. Simpson will compete for the starting job this spring and will likely battle Matt Smith for the starting center job.
Tristian Johnson (DE) is another LaGrange prospect Joker Phillips pulled out of Georgia. With UK’s depth at defensive end in 2009, there was no reason to waste a year of eligibility. Johnson will have to compete for a back up role behind DeQuin Evans, Taylor Wyndham and Collins Ukwu.
We may not have the super stars like Trevard and Micah, but we are building an awesome stovckpile of defensive depth. One will truly need an Excel spreadsheet to keep track of our DL, LB, S and CB. Our ST should be beyond fantastic.
ReplyDeleteGreat post Aaron. If you hear any more on Chandler Burden moving to tackle let us know. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteThere are future stars in this group of redshirts, but most of them will need some time to develop in the program.
ReplyDeleteIn the context of UK's 2010 season, five of these names merit discussion: Mossakowski, Simpson, Cobble, Huzzie, and J. Walker. All five will be in the thick of starting competitiions in April. One or more of them will become key players next fall. Actually, Cobble, Huzzie, and J. Walker are all very important pieces for the retooling of UK's defensive unit in April and August.
Down the road, I think George, Adams, and Tyler may play a lot in their UK careers. But probably not so much in 2010.
You may underestimate Johnathan George a bit. He actually redshirted last season after suffering a moderate leg injury. He had positioned himself ahead of Russell and was competing with Phonso for the #1 back up. I am expecting him to be the backup heading into spring.
ReplyDeleteAlso, I believe Aumiller was injured as well...he was that story where one of the trainers may have "saved his life".
The latter player to whom you referred with the "injury" was Brian Adams, not Jordan Aumiller. Brian was diagnosed with a thromboembolic illess last summer after a UK trainer became concerned about his medical condition.
ReplyDeleteAnd I did not "underestimate" Jon George. Look again. I said Jon will play a lot as a Wildcat. But Jon is not "ahead of Russell", not that it would mean anything at this early stage anyway. Russell gained valuable experience last season and played well in limited opportunities. In spring drills, both Russell and George will compete for back-up roles. We won't know who has the upper hand there until April, but both will play behind Derrick Locke and Moncell Allen in 2010 as situational reserves.