Kentucky Wildcats Football: Projecting freshmen III
By Kyle
Its been said countless times that the heart and soul of a good football team is always the defensive front-seven and Kentucky’s team is no different. The Cats are bringing in several versatile players that can contribute to the team in different types of ways, and the different looks that Rick Minter uses will offer plenty of chances for them to show their stuff. You can check out the skill-positions HERE or the offensive line HERE.
Patrick Graffree – DT – 6’4 / 270 – Elizabethtown, KY
When he first committed to Kentucky, most fans had never heard of Patrick Graffree. A solid camp outing for him resulted in an automatic offer from the staff and a prompt commitment to the program. In the months since, no player has been more vocal about their excitement to be a part of the program or their love for Kentucky fans. When Graffree arrives on campus this summer though, the staff will have to figure out how to utilize him. He has the body and frame to play right away as a defensive end in three-man fronts. On the flip-side though, Graffree could also be developed as a tackle on the interior of the defense. While his versatility makes him a valuable addition to the class, a season in the weight room will allow the staff to see how his body is going to develop and how he can be used in the future.
Chances of playing in 2012: 20%
Thomas Chapman – DL – 6’4 / 285 – Louisville, KY
With a very similar body type to Graffree, Chapman is going to be a similar conundrum for the staff. He is actually a pretty lean 285 at this point though, and he is more likely to be developed as a defensive tackle/nose guard in the defensive scheme. That being said, Chapman has great physical strength and an exceptional high football IQ for a player at his position and at his age. A lack of depth at defensive tackle added to the staff’s recent dismissal of reserve tackle Nermin Delic could provide a real opportunity for Chapman to contribute early in his career. He is only a year removed from a season ending injury, and a redshirt year would probably further help his development, but his long-term upside and current abilities make him more likely to play as a true freshman.
Chances of playing in 2012: 60%
Langston Newton – DL – 6’4 / 254 – Carmel, IN
The Kentucky defense is complex and different athletes are going to contribute in different ways. Langston Newton may be a more traditional 4-3 defensive end, but his versatility and huge frame will offer him more opportunities in this defense than he might get otherwise. If he can add weight/muscle to his body while maintaining his current level of athleticism, he can be the prototypical 5-technique that the three-man front requires. When Kentucky moves over to a four-man front, he has the skills/body to contribute right away and not only help stop the run, but rush the passer as well. Langston is probably best known for being the younger brother of UK quarterback Morgan Newton, but I would argue that his upside and potential impact on the program could be much higher than his brother’s despite the differences in the positions they play. The staff will have a tough choice on whether to play Langston Newton as a freshman or not, but the long-term benefits of developing him as a jumbo defensive end might outweigh his potential impact as a freshman.
Chances of playing in 2012: 20%
Kadeem Thomas – LB – 6’0 / 225 – Tallahassee, FL
There is a lot up in the air about the crop of defensive prospects that Kentucky added in the 2012 class and several of the freshmen will be given a look at multiple positions. Thomas is unlikely to be one of those. The middle likebacker position vacated by Ronnie Sneed looks to be Avery Williamson’s to lose at this point. Past him though, converted quarterback Tyler Brause and redshirt freshman Jabari Johnson will be the only backups. Brause looks promising, but Johnson has been fighting injuries and is being held out of the spring. Thomas will almost certainly be developed for the middle linebacker position and will come in this summer at third string. Even if he cannot overtake Brause for the backup position to Williamson, his value on special teams will make him an asset even as a true freshman. The staff could elect to sit him in an attempt to put an additional year between him and Brause, but his ability makes the prospect of him seeing the field this year very good.
Chances of playing in 2012: 70%
Khalid Henderson – LB – 6’0 / 213 – Mableton, GA
It came down to the wire for Henderson, but the former Tennessee commitment ultimately chose Kentucky over several other options. Luckily for the Cats, he comes in at a great time and will most likely step into the #3 spot on the depth chart at weak-side linebacker behind projected starter Malcolm McDuffen and redshirt freshman Demarius Rancifer. With the complexity of Rick Minter’s defense, Henderson could actually play a couple of different positions depending on how his body develops. Like Thomas, he should also be able to contribute on special teams from the moment he steps on campus. As talented as he is, Henderson could probably use a year in the weight room to add some strength and bulk up in preparation for the rigors of an SEC schedule. If the staff decides to keep Demarius Rancifer at the weak-side linebacker position, they may also elect to redshirt Henderson to separate the two by a year, but that’s no guarantee.
Chances of playing in 2012: 50%
I’ll be back to touch on the safeties and hybrids on Thursday.