Kentucky Wildcat Football 2012 Positon Preview: Wide Receiver

La’Rod King

 

Returning Players: La’Rod King (Sr) EJ Fields (Sr) Aaron Boyd ( Sr) Gene McCaskill (Sr) Demarco Robinson (So) Daryl Collins (Fr) Rashad Cunningham (Fr) Bookie Cobbins (Fr)

Newcomers: DeMarcus Sweat (Fr, GA) AJ Legree (Fr, FL) Austin Sheehan (Fr, KY)

Projected starters:  King, Robinson, Collins

2012 Outlook: Improved, Increased big-play ability

Starters: King is one of the best in the SEC and has one spot locked down. Opposite him Robinson had a big spring and has carried that momentum into fall camp. Collins appears to be in the lead for the slot position. Fields and McCaskill have both produced in spurts but neither has been consistent enough to start, hopefully the light comes on for one of them this year. Don’t be surprised to see Sweat and/or Legree play this season, as the coaches have raved about them, but they would likely play complimentary roles.

La’Rod King: King is the sure thing at receiver, he has the ability to be All-SEC if the quarterback situation settles itself. King is explosive and has a knack for big plays, he led Kentucky in receiving yards and touchdowns last season. He has a bad tendancy to let his ball control slip when fighting for extra yards, leading to fumbles.

EJ Fields:  Fields has always had the tools to be a good receiver, evidenced by his 7 catches for 54 yards and a touchdown versus Louisville last year. Unfortunately he has struggled with confidence much like former Cat Matt Roark. Roark was an excellent blocker at wideout, Fields is not as good. If he can get his mind right, Fields could take the starting job from Robinson or Collins.

Aaron Boyd: The younger brother of former UK quarterback Shane Boyd, Aaron came to Kentucky with high expectations. It hasn’t exactly gone as planned, Boyd got a little playing time as a true freshman, then redshirted as a sophomore due to illness. Boyd has struggled to separate from defenders and rarely has seen the field. Most felt a move to tight end might help him but it has never happened.

Gene McCaskill: Poor Gene, he displayed so much promise as a young player but has had his career derailed by injuries. He is said to still be slowed by his surgically repaired knee nearly two years later. When healthy McCaskill is a shifty slot player who will have to rely on experience, his speed having been sapped from him.