Kentucky Wildcats Football: Mid-Summer tidbits

July 18, 2012; Hoover, AL, USA; Kentucky Wildcats coach Joker Phillips during a press conference at the 2012 SEC media days event at the Wynfrey Hotel. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-US PRESSWIRE

I had an opportunity to catch up with a friend of mine that is very close to the football program this past week, and to pick his brain about the team. Here are his thoughts…
- The quarterback competition is not a done deal. Too many fans are assuming that Maxwell Smith is the starter, but in reality, Newton has a great chance to come out ahead as does Patrick Towles AND Jalen Whitlow. Smith IS still the favorite, but it is not a done deal.
- The staff thinks the receivers are going to have a big turnaround this year. Specifically, Robinson and Collins are being counted on to take some pressure off of King.
- Rashad Cunningham has some big-time potential. He’s not there yet, but when things click for him, he’ll be unstoppable.
- Tyler Robinson will be a bigger part of this offense than people realize. What he lacks in athleticism, he makes up for in blocking ability and reliable hands.
- Fans should be more comfortable with the offensive line than they are. Darrian Miller and Zach West will be two of the best UK OL ever when they leave.
- The defensive line is WELL stocked. When in a three-man front, a steady rotation of Ukwu, Rumph, Cobble, Douglas, Coleman, Huguenin, and others should be brutal for opposing offensive lines.
- Avery Williamson is apparently a name everyone needs to familiarize themselves with. Bud Dupree was the breakout freshman last season and is deservedly getting the buzz this summer, but Williamson was right on Ronnie Sneed’s heels since he arrived as a freshman and should be a dominant force on the UK defense.
- The Kentucky staff is more comfortable with the situation at corner than people realize. Cartier Rice has been a reliable option in the past, Marcus Caffey was a breakout star this past spring, and several of the incoming freshmen have the talent to play right away. Depth is a concern, but the situation isn’t as fire as it could be.
- Landon Foster is the real deal.