Well, the 2014 recruiting class is shaping up quite nicely early in the process. The cats have seven known commitments at this point in time, and several others that are reportedly close to pulling the trigger. Here’s a quick rundown of the seven known commitments.

1. Dorian Hedrix – LB – OH
He’s a tough guy that loves to hit and inflict pain. Likely slates as a middle linebacker in Kentucky’s defense.
2. Kobie Walker – LB – MD
Tall (6’4) safety that projects as an outside linebacker in college. He’s rangy and should have no trouble covering tall tight ends.
3. Ty Dubose – DL – OH
Really raw player that only picked up football a year ago. Has prototypical height and weight (6’5 260) to play end or tackle in college.
4. Darryl Long – TE – OH
Athletic and long, he can be an immediate contributor in the new offense. Fills a dire need for the team at the tight end position.
5. Thad Snodgrass – WR – OH
Snodgrass is one of the most complete wide receivers Kentucky has gotten in the last three decades. He can do a little bit of everything and should play early and often.
6. Mikel Horton – RB – OH
More than just a sheer bruiser, Horton can block and catch the ball despite being built like a bulldozer. One of the most acclaimed running back recruits ever at Kentucky.
7. Drew Barker – QB – KY
He’s drawn comparisons to Tim Couch, but Barker is a completely different type of athlete. Deceptively mobile with savvy rarely seen in a teenager, Barker gives the staff a quarterback to build the class around.

As crazy as it is to say this class should be about halfway done by mid June. The staff is expected to take around 20 to 22 players, so three to four more pickups gets them to the halfway point. In the coming weeks, look for the following positions to be prioritized…

1. OFFENSIVE LINE
The Wildcats should probably load up on multiple offensive linemen this year. To effectively do this, the Kasti to look no further than the states it’s been so good to them so far, Ohio. I would expect the staff to take no fewer than four offensive lineman in this class.

2. DEFENSIVE BACK
The first domino on the defensive backfield has yet to fall, but that doesn’t mean it won’t soon. Again, the state of Ohio is expected to produce a lot of talent that Kentucky can target, and multiple players there are high on the Wildcats. Kentucky still desperately needs cornerbacks AND safeties, so versatile players like Mike Edwards and Darius West are extremely valuable.

3. WIDE RECEIVER
Kentucky signed for projected wide receivers in the 2013 class, and that still may not be enough. Snagging Snodgrass early in the process was a big win for Kentucky, but they’ll need more help than just him. It seems like Kentucky has offered a receiver in just about every state in the country. Guys like Braxton Berrios, Blake Bone, and TV Williams, should be top priorities.

4. DEFENSIVE LINE
The old saying is that you can never have enough defensive lineman, and that holds true even today. Stoops and his staff have targeted multiple defensive ends and tackles in various states and should be expected to sign at least four players at these positions.

These are exciting times to be Kentucky fan. The 2014 class is currently rated in the top 15 in the country, and could climb even hire more talented players being added daily. I’ll be taking next week off for vacation, but hopefully when I get back, we’ll have a couple more four-star players to add to the list.

Yesterday Kobie Walker committed to Kentucky. Normally, a commitment from a 5.7rated 3 star recruit would raise a lot of excitement around Lexington, especially in May. The reality is though, that not many people knew much about Walker or were excited about his commitment. To an extent that is fair. Walker is from Maryland which is not a state that Kentucky typically recruits very heavily and fans are likely still recovering from Drew Barker’s decision from last week. What’s important is that fans understand that Walker is a big time recruit.

Standing at 6′ 4 and weighing 200 pounds, Walker is a coaches dream. He’s a headhunter on defense and could conceivably play about five different positions at the college level. Rivals considers him the #36 safety in the country (which is pretty high praise) and Walker is 1/10 of a point away from being a 4 star player in their database. Walker has indicated that Kentucky recruited him as an outside linebacker, a position of dire need for Kentucky. As stacked as the 2013 signing class was, it did not include a single linebacker prospect. Now Walker will join Dorian Hendrix to form a solid start to linebacker recruiting. Both players could easily have their ratings changed to four stars by the time the camp circuits close and their senior year begins this fall. With the body of a linebacker and the speed and athleticism of a safety, Walker is a big pick up for Mark stoops defense.

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There’s nothing quite like watching your kids grow up. Anyone reading this that doesn’t have a child can’t fully understand what I mean by this, just like I couldn’t 19 months ago. You feel like you’re promoting a greater cause and that you are nurturing an extension of yourself and there’s an unmistakeable pride that goes along with it. Kentucky fans, maybe more than any other Fanbase, seem to feel this way about prospective athletes from inside the bluegrass state. In basketball, guys like Richie Farmer, John Pelfry, Travis Ford, and Marquise Estill have always held a special place amongst UK fans. In football, Tim couch, Craig East, the Johnson brothers, and many many others have been long time fan favorites. Maybe more than any other position in any sport, the Kentucky grown quarterbacks seem to be the most important in this regard. The recent history of this started with Tim Couch, and then carried over to Shane Boyd, Jared Lorenzen, Andre Woodson, and even current sophomore Patrick Towles. There are those fans out there that would rather see Towles starting at quarterback than Smith or Whitlow even if the other players are obviously better. The truth is, there really isn’t anything wrong with feeling this way. Just like in many other walks of life, sports fans want to promote, protect, and adore their own before others. That’s just the way it is. Now, northern Kentucky’s own Drew Barker has stepped up to be the next in-state signal caller to attract serious attention and Kentucky fans are rabid to get him.

Barker Has been called “the biggest potential recruit for Kentucky since Tim Couch.” While I am certain there are some feel that way, it is absolutely I’m fair to put those type of expectations on a 17-year-old kid. Many fans are acting as though to Barker is an absolute must get for the Kentucky football team to continue seeing success years into the future. I would tell those fans to relax. While Barker is very good, there’s no question about that, the situation is not quite as dire as some would make it out. If Parker were to choose South Carolina tomorrow instead of Kentucky, the world will continue to turn from Mark stoops and his staff. The simple fact of the matter is, the Kentucky currently has four scholarship quarterbacks, none of which will be older than a sophomore in 2013. There are three (Smith, Whitlow, Towles) that have played an SEC games as true freshmen, and a surprisingly talented freshman (Phillips) that really stood out in the spring game. ANY Quarterback recruit those signed in 2014 class will have one hell of a battle on their hands of the time they get to campus. It really doesn’t make any difference if they enroll in the spring semester or wait until the rest of the class arrives in the summer either. Barker, or any other 2014 quarterback, is not a necessity in this class.

Now, with that being said, Drew Barker is a very talented player. He could provide Neal Brown with the type of quarterback he can mold his offense around over the next four years. Barker has a big time arm, and surprisingly nimble feet for a player his size. We all know this. But Fansided to realize that Drew Barker is not going to single-handedly alter the future of Kentucky football. In the event that Barker chooses South Carolina, Kentucky still in good shape with other four-star quarterbacks, some of which are actually rated higher than Barker is. There is also a distinct possibility that Kentucky could opt to skip signing a quarterback this year altogether. As good as Barker is, it is important that Wildcat fans step back and look at the big picture. While he could be a very talented quarterback at UK, we can’t let the fact that he is a good ole Kentucky boy cloud our view of things.

If the young man picks Kentucky tomorrow, then it is great news. Neal Brown will have his first quarterback that he has recruited personally to build his offense around for the foreseeable future. Barker can join his friends already going to UK and come play with the Ohio recruits that he has come to know so well. I’m sure Thaddeus Snodgrass, Mikel Horton, and Darryl Long will be ecstatic to have their quarterback of the future decided on. He will likely redshirt his first season and should be in the thick of the QB competition in 2015.
In the event that he spurns Kentucky for the Gamecocks, it will still be ok. He is a smart young man that has made the choice he feels is best for his long-term future. There’s nothing wrong with that. It does NOT mean that the UK coaches didn’t give it their best or that the momentum from Stoops’ hire has died. It doesn’t mean that Kentucky won’t sign D.J. Gillins (the #1 dual threat QB in the country) down the road anyway. Most importantly, it does NOT mean that UK fans should harass Barker or anyone associated with him about his decision.

We love our Kentucky boys, but this is a clear case where everyone is better off taking a deep breath and looking at the grander scheme.

News broke yesterday that freshman running back Justin Taylor has decided to transfer from Kentucky to South Carolina State. With Taylor’s departure considered, it may be time to take another look at the running back depth chart.

Senior Ray Sanders has been lauded all off-season. The coaching staff has raved about his ability in this offense, and it’s not exactly surprising. Sanders was regarded as an all-purpose back coming out of high school and one of the top players at that particular position in the country. He’s a proven blocker and receiver out of the backfield at this point in his career, with the only real question mark being his ability to be a natural runner and break tackles in traffic. Sanders probably doesn’t have the wow factor some fans are looking for, but he’s a capable and experienced option at the position.
Josh Clemons will be a sophomore this season after sitting out last year due to injury. If he can play like he did in the early parts of his freshman season again, he may be the favorite to win the starting job. Clemons is a little more of a traditional running back than some of the others and might be the most balanced back on the roster. He isn’t blazing fast, but he’s more than fast enough. He isn’t a true power back, but can easily run between the tackles. The real question regarding Clemons, is how much he has recovered from his injury. If he’s back to 100%, he will make some serious noise in the competition for carries.
Dy’Shawn Mobley I had a disappointing freshman season. With the body of a traditional power back, he was expected to excel in Kentucky’s pro-style offense. Instead he was relegated to a reserve role and struggled as a goal line back early in the year. Most observers assumed that Mobley would transfer from Kentucky due to the change to the spread offense. At his size, he doesn’t really fit the traditional running back in any type of spread-based system, so his departure was all but a foregone conclusion. Instead, he came out in the spring game and showed everyone that he does have the skill set to be successful in Neal Brown’s offense. If Mobley can prove capable of picking up blitzers and catching the ball out of the backfield, he’s definitely one that can make a big impact this fall
Jonathan George is a senior and at this point has been a relatively productive player in limited roles. He seems to be pretty good just about everything without actually excelling in anyone area. It seems he’s probably a longshot to receive very many carries or snaps in general this fall. Of all the backs in the spring game, George probably had the least impact.
So really, the depth chart should look something like this going into camp.

1. Sanders
2/3. Clemons/Mobley
4.Jonathan George
5/6. Kemp/Thomas

There’s still plenty of time for any of the running backs to unseat Sanders as this projected starter. On top of that, I would highly expect JoJo Kemp to end up no worse than third on the depth chart at the conclusion of camp. So, had Justin Taylor stayed at Kentucky, he was probably looking at duking it out with Jonathan George and incoming freshman Khalid Thomas for a spot near the bottom of the depth chart. I cannot see a scenario in which he would have been any higher than fifth.

You always hate to have players leave the team, but in this case, it appears that it may have been in the best interest of all parties. I’m sure Taylor will find success at SCSU this fall where he will be eligible to play immediately.

Awaiting the arrival of the teams incoming recruiting class is always an anxious time for fans. After a disappointing end to the 2012 season the incoming recruiting class for Kentucky could potentially make or break the 2013 campaign. With several holes to fill on the roster, several of the new additions will be expected to play immediately, and some will even be expected to win starting rolls. Positions like quarterback and running back should be fine, but there are others that need a serious infusion of talent, and in some cases, just warm bodies. Here are the top five spots were freshmen are needed the worst.

#5 – THE DEFENSIVE LINE
Juniors Bud Dupre and Za’Darius Smith should be a formidable duo at the end positions and the senior trio of Mister Cobble, Donte Rumph, and Tristian Johnson should be a solid core of defensive tackles. Past those five though, there are just too many question marks. Christian Coleman was impressive as a freshman, but disappeared as a sophomore. Langston Newton, Thomas Chapman, and Patrick Graffree, all redshirted last season and have yet to play their first college game. Even Travaughn Paschal is still trying to find a position as the coaches try him at end and linebacker. Alvonte Bell, Jason Hatcher, Jacob Hyde, and Regie Meant should form a quality defensive line one day, but all four could be counted on to contribute as freshmen this season.

#4 – THE OFFENSIVE LINE
Similar to the defensive line, the starting group looks pretty solid on offense. Darrian Miller, Zach West, and Kevin Mitchell are all expected to return as starters in some capacity and gigantic sophomore Jordan Swindle is expected to start at right tackle after playing well as a true freshman last year. With only one spot to fill and some versatility from the starters, someone out of a group that includes Zach Myers, Jordan Watson, Teven Eatmon-Nared, Jon Toth, T.J. Jones, and even Jack Gruenschlaeger should provide a suit able starter. The real concern is that there is precious little experience along the offensive line. Four of the players expected to challenge for the last starting position and provide roles as primary backups are redshirt freshmen and one is a walk-on. With injuries occurring relatively frequently along the offensive line, reinforcements are needed soon. Incoming freshmen Justin Day, Ramsey Meyer, Nick Haynes, and Kyle Meadows will arrive this summer and should give the staff enough depth to feel comfortable.

#3- SAFETY
Losing Martavius Neloms and Mikie Benton to graduation hurts some, but the problem is not quite that simple. The staff failed to sign a single linebacker in this class, so the dire need there could result in one or more of the safeties moving. The big problem with this is that the teams projected starting safeties at this point (Junior Ashely Lowery and Sophomore Daron Blaylock) are clearly the best physical fits at the linebacker position. Redshirt sophomore Glenn Faulkner has made almost no impact at this point in his career and sophomore Zach Blaylock played sparingly last season. Redshirt freshmen Sterlig Wright and Josh Harris both sat out the 2012 season redshirting and both remain unknowns now too. Marcus McWilson was the only true safety signed by Stoops and company in February and he may be counted on right away.

#2- WIDE RECEIVER
The coaching staff has made no bones about their need for receivers. The nature of the arrayed offense requires a lot of bodies due to the number of the receivers on the field, and the amount of running required from each player. The cupboard is certainly not bear with Demarco Robinson, Darryl Collins, A.J. Legree, Demarcus Sweat, Bookie Cobbins, and Rashad Cunningham all returning this season, but they’ll need help. Junior College transfer Javess Blue is expected to be an immediate contributor when he arrives, but the freshman trio of Ryan Timmons, Jeff Badet, and Alex Montgomery will all be counted on as well. If the staff is serious about needing 12-15 bodies at the position, every scholarship player will play and play a lot this fall.

#1 – CORNERBACK
I have discussed the issues at cornerback more times than I can keep track of. The worst thing is it feels like we do this every season. Once again, the roster is dangerously thin at one of the most important positions on defense. The game of football is becoming more and more about passing, and the Wildcats went to the spring game with only four scholarship cornerbacks. Sophomores Fred Tiller, Cody Quinn, and walk-on sophomore J.D. Harmon all played pretty well last year as true freshman. Shawn Blaylock was forced to sit out his freshman year after a preseason injury. It’s hard to have a lot of faith in Eric Simmons at this point. The redshirt junior has failed to make much of an impact for going on four years in Lexington. Like Javess Blue, junior-college transfer Nate Willis is expected to content for starting position as soon as she arrives on campus. Freshmen signees Jaleel Hytchye and Blake McClain will almost certainly be counted on right away as well, and they might both contend for starting jobs in their first year. Unfortunately, all of these players combined still give the Wildcats only seven scholarship corners, not even enough for a two-deep in the common ‘Dime’ personnel package. To make matters worse, four of the players on the roster have played sparingly or for less than one year (Simmons, Tiller, Quinn, and Harmon) and the other four of them (Willis, Blaylock, McClain, and Hytchye) have never played a snap in a division one game period. If the old saying is “there’s no rest for the weary,” then the cornerback position is headed for one weary season.

Every couple of years Kentucky fans have a player that they can get excited about when NFL draft time comes around. This year, it’s Larry Warford. The monstrous guard from Richmond Kentucky (expected to go anywhere in the first three or four rounds of the 2013 draft) and a couple years back it was Randall Cobb.
As exciting as this is for Kentucky’s fans, it’s also relatively rare. Possibly the most exciting aspect of the hiring of Mark Stoops is the potential for this to change in the near future. On the current roster, guys like Bud Dupree, Za’Darius Smith, and Avery Williamson, have a decent chance of getting drafted one day. However, this is the exception not the rule. It looks like the roster will be infused with talent over the next several years and we can get a little more excited about the draft as it rolls around. For now though, here are the top 10 guys on the current roster that have a decent shot at being drafted one day.

1. Za’Darius Smith
Smith is a freak of nature. He has the size and speed than NFL teams are looking for, and they made it plainly obvious that you can’t have enough pass rushers in the league. His ability to take down quarterbacks should make him a hot commodity. Granted, this is assuming he lives up to his potential.

2. Darrian Miller
The transition to a pass happy NFL has made athletic tackles like Miller that much more valuable. With more and more athletic pass rushers, guys like Miller are needed to protect franchise quarterbacks. With tight end athleticism and 3.5 years of starting experience in the SEC, Miller could be a big name when he enters the draft.

3. Bud Dupree
Dupree’s versatility has become more valuable in the past few years. His ability to play linebacker and defensive end make him an ideal fit for a team running the 3-4 defense as an outside linebacker. The more teams that choose to run this defense, the more valuable Dupree becomes.

4. Zach West
As tackles become more valuable, so do guards. West has prototypical size to play guard or center at the professional level and more importantly, also possesses the intelligence necessary. Being a potential four-year starter in the SEC won’t hurt his case either.

5. Avery Williamson
Similar to Dupree, Williamsons versatility is what makes him so valuable. Very few linebackers have experience playing inside in both before 3-4 and 4-3 schemes, and Williamson possesses the skill set to do both. Any teams needing a linebacker can feel safe drafting Williamson to fit their scheme.

6. Fred Tiller
Granted, he’s only a sophomore and has not played a ton, but I still think Fred Taylor is a future star. He started in several games as a true freshman against the country’s top receivers and played admirably. As he becomes bigger, stronger, and faster, he will become more valuable and as the league continues to progress towards the pass, defensive backs will become more valuable. It should be hard for teams to pass up a possible 3.5 year starter in the SEC at cornerback.

7. Jordan Swindle
Just like Miller, Swindle’s value is based mostly on his position and size. Although not as athletic is Darrian Miller is, he is a big powerful tackle that can play either side of the football and can pass block as well as run block. Being 6’8 is something that you can’t teach.

8. Dante Rumph
Defensive tackles seem to become more and more valuable every year and we see more and more of them picked up in the first round every year. Dante Rumph needs to have a big senior season, but if he recovers from injury, he has the size and skill set to play in the NFL. More importantly, he’s played against SEC competition for four consecutive years.

9. Steven Borden
Once thought to be nearly obsolete, the tight end position has made somewhat of a comeback in recent years. Borden Foods the role of an H-back, similar to Chris Cooley and Washington or Aaron Hernandez in New England. Borden’s combination of size, strength, and speed, make him a valuable asset to any NFL offense. This is all assuming his play lives up to his measurables though.

10. Khalid Henderson
Linebackers are getting faster and faster, and if there’s one place where Henderson stands out, it’s speed. If he can get a little bigger and stronger, he can be a prototypical week side linebacker and a 4-3 scheme. The thing hurting his value, is the transition of many teams from the 4-3 to the 3-4 defense, where he is not as good of a fit. However, as long as there are still teams running the 4-3, Henderson’s ability makes him valuable.

You may notice a theme about. The office of individual lines are clearly an area of emphasis for NFL teams and luckily or two areas were Kentucky is relatively well stocked with talent. Quarterbacks, receivers, and running backs are so difficult to judge, not only in how they will adapt in their college careers, but also the type of impact that they could have in the NFL. It is really tough to forecast where they might go and how a team’s scheme will be factored in that I left all three positions off the list here. Alternatively, offense of lineman, defensive linemen, and defensive backs are all in such high demand that those players are significantly more likely to find at least a short-term home in the NFL. Regardless of all of this, Kentucky’s simple infusion of more talented players should give fans something to look forward to in future drafts.

Nov 24, 2012; Knoxville, TN, USA; Kentucky Wildcats quarterback Jalen Whitlow (13) scrambles for yardage against the Tennessee Volunteers during the first half at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports

Of all the things that stood out in Saturday’s Blue/White Game, the emergence of Jalen Whitlow is the one that took most by surprise. The staff had praised his performance during spring practices, but he really showed up for final scrimmage.
The breakthrough Whitlow has seen is so fascinating for a couple of reasons.
A.) Whitlow was an average to below-average player as a freshman last season. He completed just over 50% of his passes and seemed to loose control when the pocket broke down. If the defense could manage even a slight pass rush, Whitlow would often freeze up and take a sack on frantically try to escape. He seldom seemed confident or poised and his accuracy lacked.
B.) Whitlow was even signed as an “athlete,” which seldom leads to a player playing quarterback. Conventional thought was that Phillips and his staff planned on using Whitlow as an emergency quarterback, but planned to develop him long-term as a wide receiver they could also use in the Wildcat package. Injuries and ineffective play by other players on the roster led to him spending his entire freshman season under center.
C.) With Maxwell Smith and Patrick Towles on the roster as fellow sophomores, Whitlow would be worked into a switch to receiver. Technically speaking, Smith and Towles are both more natural fits for the air raid offense and the depth at receiver is such that he could possibly land a starting job there anyway. Add Reese Phillips’ addition to the roster and there seemed to be a possibility that Whitlow could be as far down as fourth on the depth chart at the end of spring.

Before the commencement of the 2013 spring practices, it appeared that Whitlow had little or no shot. An inaccurate sophomore-to-be that collapsed under pressure and wasn’t even good enough to start on his high school team at QB as a senior is seldom the best guy for the job.

Then The spring session kicked off. Week after week the coaches praised all three of their sophomore signal callers (Whitlow, Smith, and Towles) and continued to reiterate that it was a three man race. Whitlow seized the opportunity and completely reinvented himself as a passer. Prior to the Blue/White game, reports started to leak that Whitlow might, in fact, have worked his way into the competition and could possibly even be leading.

Most fans kept an I’ll believe it when I see it attitude understandably. But as improbable as it might have been, a new quarterback walked on the field last week. Exuding confidence and ability, Whitlow has cleaned up his footwork, improved his accuracy, and seems to fully grasp the playbook. He was easily the top performer of the three sophomore contenders and took the opportunity to show off something no one else has: elite athleticism. Now, the race is still on, but there’s a new favorite heading into the offseason. Whitlow not only brings a cannon of an arm and the poise of a player much older than himself, but backs it up with a knowledgable understanding of the playbook and knowing he adds another dimension to the offense with his legs.

The battle for the starting job is far from over and there’s still plenty of time for Smith and Towles to overtake him, but right now the leading candidate to start at quarterback might be one of the most unlikely ever.

The Blue/White game has come and gone, to my personal dismay. The most anticipated event in recent Kentucky Football history certainly lived up to the hype and the pageantry on Saturday nearly outweighed the actual game. Nearly being the key word there.

Today I’m here to highlight the top performers from Saturday. We won’t be looking into the players that didn’t do as well because its only spring and the staff has only worked through 14 practices with the team. There’s plenty of time for the best players to make an impact before the team takes the field this fall. Without further ado, here’s the top ten “Winners” from spring practice.

#1 – Rashad Cunningham – WR – SO
There’s little question as to who the breakout star was from the spring game. Cunningham hauled in 8 catches for 80 yards and a touchdown while playing several series against the first team defense. Remember, Cunningham has never caught a pass in a game or even played meaningful snaps in his college career yet. Although he let a couple of passes slip through his fingers early, the big target finished strong and his emergence will be one of the top stories through the rest of the offseason.

#2 – Dy’Shawn Mobley – RB – SO
The arrival of Neal Brown’s offense theoretically should have been the first step towards the end of Mobley’s playing time in Lexington. Instead, the power back adjusted his game and has obviously adapted well to the new scheme. Mobley ran the ball 15 times for 79 yards and caught an eight yard pass Saturday. Most importantly, he was constantly moving forward and wasn’t caught in the backfield. An average rush of 5.3 yards a carry is hard to argue with and Mobley should now have worked his way into consideration for some serious playing time.

#3 – Za’Darius Smith – DE – JR
It’s hard to say Smith was a surprise because of how highly regarded the JUCO transfer was, but he looked good. He has prototypical size for a defensive end and was a constant disruption to the offense on his way to six tackles. It might be the shock of the century if Smith isn’t one of the starting defensive ends come fall.

#4 – Bud Dupree – DE – JR
As good as Smith was, Dupree was tight there with him. He didn’t light up the stat sheet or anything but to truly appreciate Dupree’s performance, you had to watch the game. He was giving the offense hell on every play and his athleticism was blatantly obvious all night. This is the first time that Kentucky has had two defensive ends of this caliber and both should be monsters come fall.

#5 – A.J. Legree – WR – SO
Cunningham stole the show on Saturday, but Legree had a not-so-quiet coming out party as well. He hauled in 7 catches for 68 yards and a touchdown and looked like the type of complete receiver that can flourish in this offense.

#6 – Tristian Johnson – DT – SR
Its easy to forget Johnson. He has a super common last name, is short and not all that heavy for a defensive tackle, and has been on the team for almost five years. After the Spring Game though, people are going to remember him. Johnson’s elite athleticism (for a DT) was on display and the former linebacker was all over the field. He finished with 4 tackles and a sack, but his presence was more valuable than the stats would indicate. The new defensive scheme should allow Johnson to be featured as an interior pass rusher, so don’t be surprised if he follows up this season with a big final year.

#7 – Ashely Lowery – SS – JR
Lowery played significant minutes as a freshman and started as a sophomore, so his play shouldn’t be a surprise. Still, his 3 tackles and interception were impressive and his ability to play sideline-to-sideline set him apart from the other defensive backs. With so much youth back there, Lowery will be counted on to be the leader of the unit.

#8 – Jalen Whitlow – QB – SO
Many folks would have Whitlow higher than this, but I can’t bring myself to do it. Whitlow was certainly impressive and has improved dramatically from his freshman year, but its hard to judge a scrambling quarterback that knows he can’t be hit all game. Whitlow’s biggest weakness last season was collapsing under pressure, so I’d be interested to see how he does in a live scrimmage. Still, the man completed 61% of his throws for 193 yards, 2 touchdowns, and zero picks, so if he can replicate that stat line under real pressure, the coaches could have something special on their hands.

#9 – Tyler Robinson – TE – SR
Many thought Robinson’s days as a tight end were over when Brown was hired. Not only does he rarely feature the tight end, but Robinson wasn’t exactly athletic enough to be a serious receiving threat. Instead of accepting his fate, Robinson slimmed down, sped up, and emerged as the best tight end on the roster Saturday night. It remains to be seen how much the staff uses his position this fall, but Robinson was able to pile up 54 yards on only three catches, so the staff may have to find a way to use him.

#10 – Demarco Robinson – WR – JR
Last year Robinson was the breakout star of the spring game and it did not translate to success in the fall. This year Robinson stood out again on his way to 6 catches for 93 yards and a touchdown. He is probably a better fit for this type of offense and proved his big play ability on a 47 yard bomb from Maxwell Smith. The competition at receiver is fierce, but Robinson seems to be clicking again.

#11 – Reese Phillips – QB – FR
I know his performance doesn’t REALLY matter, but you have to be impressed by Reese Phillips. The man went 10 for 12 (83%) for 75 yards and no touchdowns or picks. I highly doubt he will seriously challenge for the starting job this year and he may even redshirt, but Kentucky may have found a gem here.

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.

September 22, 2012; Gainesville FL, USA; Kentucky Wildcats kicker Landon Foster (9) kicks against the Florida Gators in the second quarter at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

We covered all of the offensive and defensive positions and its time to touch on the specialists. While they can be the oft forgotten men this time of year, their roles remain important nonetheless.

The Roster:
#9 – Landon Foster – SO – 6’1 / 210 – Nashville, TN
#88 – Joe Mansour – SR – 6’2 / 190 – Lagrange, GA

Walk-ons:
#44 – Max Strong – RFR – 5’2 /180 – Louisville, KY
#90 – Tanner Blain – RFR – 6’2 / 190 – Lindenhurst, IL

Newcomers:
Austin MacGinnis – FR – 5’10 / 175 – Prattville, AL

The Breakdown:
The changes in offensive and defensive scheme have no bearing on the specialists, so it’s really just business as usual but with new coaches. Joseph Mansour will be back for his senior season after spending his first three years on campus focusing on kickoff duties. Mansour has been cross trained as a kicker and punter in the past, but is expected to continue focusing on kickoffs and should be adding placekicking duties to the fold this spring as well. Punting should be all but wrapped up by sophomore Landon Foster, who was arguably the team’a best player last season. If he can continue to change field position in the Wildcats’ favor, he will continue to be a difference maker for the team. Max Strong and Tanner Blain are both coming off of redshirt seasons and both are completely unknown at this point. Austin MacGinnis is expected to compete with Mansour for the placekicking duties in the summer.

The Skinny:
We can pretend like the specialists don’t matter but we all know deep down that we’re kidding ourselves. A bad kicker or punter can lose a game for you in a heartbeat but a good one can win one for you. Kentucky fans have had the luxury of elite punters for the better part of a decade and have one of the country’s best this season in Foster. Kicker is a different story though, and Kentucky fans have seen the good, the bad, and the nauseating from their placekickers. Mansour was as hyped as a kicker can be coming out of high school but was never able to unseat Craig McIntosh over the past three years. Now that McIntosh has graduated, Mansour is going to have to solidify himself as the starter prior to the end of spring. If he cannot, he will find himself in a battle with Austin MacGinnis this fall.

My Prediction:
The punter position is by far the easiest one to predict a starter at this point. Landon Foster was excellent in his first season and no one is expecting a drop off moving forward. The real intrigue will surround the placekicking duties and whether Mansour can not just get by, but whether he can impress the staff this spring. I think he will and will hold off the walk-ons for the starting gig. Whether he can hold onto it once MacGinnis arrives is a discussion for summer camp.