With signing day in the rearview mirror, The University of Kentucky football team will shift its focus to spring practice and trying to fill out the depth chart. I’ll be breaking down each position group to see who’s in consideration for playing time and what each player brings to the table.
After Woodson, Tamme, Burton, and Stevie Johnson graduated, Kentucky’s offense has seen a drastic shift in philosophy from a pass-happy spread attack to a more run-oriented offense featuring more traditional Running back play. Most fans expect the 2010 season to focus heavily on the running game once again, and while the rushing attack did lose seniors Alfonso Smith and John Conner, several new players will get a chance to show what they can do.
Kentucky saw a break out year for true freshman Derrick Locke in 2007, and the lightly recruited track star from Hugo, OK has continued to make himself one of the most integral parts of what the wildcats do on offense. Known for his game breaking speed, Locke has improved each season, and if not for an injury riddled sophomore campaign, he would probably be in the NFL right now. Locke will return for his senior season to provide a Running back with speed and natural play-making abilities, but will also probably run the ball between the tackles more often to show NFL scouts he’s capable of being a complete back. He should also see more of the slashing runs to the outside that provide him an opportunity to showcase his speed as well. Barring injury, there is almost no chance he doesn’t start the season as the primary ball carrier for the UK offense.
John Conner will prove to be one of the most underrated players to suit up for Kentucky in a long time. There is no position less glamorous than Fullback and he was easy for most fans to forget about. Well, until he ran fifteen yards with three defenders hanging on his back that is. Senior Moncell Allen is expected to take over the roll of the power-back for the upcoming season, and while he measures only 5’7, he weighs in at a whopping 225 pounds. Coaches raved about his 2008 spring practice performance, but he has yet to put it all together on the field. Expect Allen to improve his blocking and receiving skills to make him a more complete back, and to help out on third downs. There’s a possibility that he may move to fullback to help offset the loss of Conner with an experienced playmaker.
Donald Russell came out of West Palm Beach, FL as a downhill runner who was expected to flourish in a pro-style system. As the only Running back in the 2009 class that did not redshirt, he was able to gain valuable experience in game situations, although most of his playing time came in mop-up duty. Russell will have the inside track at cracking the Running back rotation this spring, and should see a significant increase in his carries in the coming season.
Redshirt freshman Jonathan George was receiving great reviews during the fall camp before sustaining a high ankle sprain that slowed his progression, resulting in him redshirting. Before his injury, George was being considered to join the tailback rotation as a true freshman. Now that he’s fully healed, this do-it-all athlete will be able to participate in the offseason strength and conditioning program and get ready to contribute this coming season. Do not be surprised if he gets a significant number of carries in 2010, and could also factor into the return game as well.
CoShik Williams burst onto the scene during the 2009 spring practice session. He came to Kentucky as an overlooked walk-on from Hiram, GA and was listed as the fourth Running back on the depth chart as a redshirt freshman. With Kentucky adding so many quality rushers over the last two recruiting classes, he will need to step up his game to remain in the rotation. His ability to contribute on special teams could be huge for Kentucky this coming season as well.
True Freshmen Brandon Gainer, Miles Simpson, and Raymond Sanders won’t be on campus until the fall, so they will probably start out behind the above players. Sanders will fill the role of a “scat-back” running screens and sweeps. He has an extremely low center of gravity, so his agility will provide him with his biggest asset to the team. Simpson is a much larger back and should provide UK with a bigger between-the tackle presence. Look for him to run more of the off-tackle and dive plays. Gainer is an every down back that brings more to the table than just one skill sets. He can be used in a variety of ways, and if there’s a favorite to make the rotation this fall as a freshman, it’s probably him. The running back position is more about instincts and natural ability than other positions, so there’s a decent chance one of the freshman could see meaningful playing time during the 2010 season.
With so much talent, the running back position should be a team strength for Kentucky. The loss of Conner will hurt more than people realize, as Kentucky utilized the Fullback position heavily in their pro-style offense. Look for a lot more of the one back set formation, featuring three Wide Receivers or two Tight Ends to offset the lack of a proven fullback. The running backs should see their role change this season as Kentucky will likely bring a more experienced passer into the 2010 season, which should lighten the dependency on the running game.
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