WBN Nightcap: Kentucky Wildcats Football Loses Another to Academics

Recently I posted a season preview for the tight end position and I described Anthony Kendrick thusly, “Kendrick probably had the most potential of any tight end on the roster when he came in and still does. He simply hasn’t seemed to put it together consistently, showing brief flashes here and there in games. If the light comes on, Kendrick could be a dangerous weapon for the Wildcats this year.” Well, that isn’t going to happen now that Coach Phillips announced that Kendrick has been deemed academically ineligible for the fall semester.

Much like Marcus Caffey, Kendrick can still practice with the team and is enrolled in school, he simply can’t play in games. Unlike Caffey, he is a redshirt junior who will now only have the 2013 season to play football. It wouldn’t be surprising to see him transfer to an FCS program in order to play immediately.  It would provide his best chance for playing time and free up another scholarship for a team short of them this season.

So what does this mean for the Wildcats offense? Not a whole lot. Kendrick has always been high on potential but low on production. He seems electric when fans see him make a play but they don’t notice how rarely he makes it onto the field. He was currently no better than 3^rd on the depth chart at tight end, competing for 3^rd place with former Frosh All-SEC pick Jordan Aumiller.  With this news , it appears that Aumiller will be the primary back-up to Ronnie Shields at the “move” or “joker” tight end postion, with Tyler Robinson handling the more traditional tight end duties.

Hopefully Anthony learns from this experience and lets it light a fire under him for next season, like defensive tackle Mister Cobble did. If he decides to move on, then I certainly wish him the best of luck in his future endeavors.