Kentucky Wildcats Football: Blue/White game recap

In what stratosphere would the lowly Kentucky Wildcats FOOTBALL team outdraw Georgia, Florida, Florida State, Texas, Ohio State, and every other school but one in the country so far for attendance? I personally would have never thought this was possible, but that’s exactly what happened Saturday when UK brought out 51,000 to Commonwealth Stadium. Here are my thoughts on the most intense spring game ever.

1. The Quarterback Competition
~ Jalen Whitlow looked like the best quarterback of the bunch, but he wasn’t as good as you thought he was during the game. He had 49 net rushing yards and its important to remember that the defense couldn’t touch him all game. He was 17 of 28 passing for both teams and remember, he knew he couldn’t be touched. My concern with Whitlow is that the format of the spring game may have hidden his weaknesses and amplified his strengths. All of that being said he was still the second best quarterback on the field.
~ Speaking of the format, WTF is the point of running designed quarterback runs if the defense can’t tackle him. I didn’t care for that at all.
~ So if Whitlow was the second best quarterback, then was is Smith or Towles that looked better? The shocking and somewhat terrifying answer is that it was neither. Instead, Reese Phillips came in as a mid year enrollee and went 10 for 12 and threw the sharpest passes of the bunch. He probably won’t be in the race because he really only received limited snaps on Saturday, but Phillips may be better than anyone realized.
~ Maxwell Smith was accurate and looked pretty good for most of the game. He never really stood out or made you say “wow,” but I guess no one else really did either. I think he has something special in that quick release of his, but it was hard to really take a lot from his performance Saturday. He did look like he’s healed up nicely though.
~ Patrick Towles….. I just don’t know. The guy looks like a first-round draft pick at times and looks completely lost at others. It’s hard to argue with 6 for 14 for 65 total yards, 1 touchdown and 1 pick. What is more concerning than those stats, is that the 65 total yards includes a 26 yard and 12 yard strike. So basically, just under 60% of his passing yardage came from two passes. I really thought Towles would put it all together, but he just doesn’t look ready right now. If he can’t make major strides this summer, a redshirt would be essential to his development.

2. The Rest of the “Skill” Players
~ Steve Borden is probably really good and all, but I forgot he was even on the team for most of the game. This guy had almost no impact.
~ You just have to love Patrick Ligon. The guy is about as athletic as a rock, but plays hard anyway.
~ The breakout star of the day was almost unquestionably Rashad Cunningham. Outside of some drops early, he looked very strong out there and was targeted by all the quarterbacks. It was hard to tell that Cunningham has had no impact at any point in his college career so far. The lack of bodies at receiver provided Cunningham with an opportunity to shine, and he certainly seized it.
~ Tyler Robinson was the best looking tight end again this year. He has a grittiness that’s very “Vince-Lombardi-Ish” in his game. No telling how prominently the tight end will be featured in games this year though.
~ If Cunningham was the best looking receiver, sophomore A.J. Legree was a close second. That guy is going to do big things this fall.
~ The best runningbacks were clearly DyShawn Mobley and Josh Clemons. Mobley was SHOCKINGLY good in this offense, and Clemons was back to pre-injury form.
~ As good as Clemons and Mobley were, seniors Ray Sanders and Jonathan George failed to stand out as rushers or receivers. To that extent, neither did redshirt freshman Justin Taylor.
~ Overall, the scrimmage made it crystal clear that there are not enough bodies at the wide receiver position. Big winners were Rashad Cunningham, A.J. Legree, DyShawn Mobley, Josh Clemons, Tyler Robinson, and Demarco Robinson.

3. The O-Line
~ Darrian Miller and Jordan Swindle looked like true SEC tackles out there.
~ Kevin Mitchell seems to have taken to his move to guard as well.
~ With Zach West returned from injury, he will be the key to the offensive line moving forward. He will be a starter at center or guard.
~ The rest of the offensive
Linemen played relatively well, although I’ll admit that it is tough to judge their performances without re watching the game.

4. The D-Line
~ I’ll speak for every person in attendance when I say that Za’Darius Smith and Bud Dupree are SEC defensive ends. We’ll see what happens come game-time in the fall, but these two might be the most talented pair of ends Kentucky has had in a hundred years. Both looked like NFL players.
~ Tristian Johnson is going to surprise people this year.
~ The defensive tackles (outside of Johnson were relatively absent for most of the game). This was disappointing to say the least.
~ There is a lot of talent at the top of the depth chart on the defensive line, but there are some quality backups and role players too. Once the recruiting class arrives, I think that the defensive line will be one of the strongest position groups on the team.

5. Those Pesky Linebackers
~ Avery Williamson is a man and plays like one. He is the unquestioned leader of the defense and played very well (as expected) Saturday.
~ After Williamson, things get complicated. Pancho Thomas, Malcolm McDuffen, and Demarius Rancifer looked like the best linebackers on the team. The problem is that they were playing with the second team defense. So, did they all look good because they are talented young players? Yes. Did they look better against the reserves on O? Sure. Would Khalid Henderson, Kory Brown, and Josh Forest have looked better NOT playing in Williamson’s shadow? Absolutely. It really is tough to say whether the circumstances made players look good or bad in any scrimmage but the linebacker position is just so tough to figure out. I worry that there’s Williamson and then there’s 8-10 players better suited as backups.