The Cats had trouble finding the quarterback this past fall, and you can expect for this to be a primary area of focus during the spring practices. While the defensive tackles will be responsible for inside pressure, the defensive end unit will need to close in from the outside and disrupt the offensive ability to pick up big plays through the air. Kentucky will return every defensive end from last season as well as adding several freshmen into the fold this fall. The spring practices will allow the returning players a chance to solidify their position on the depth chart before the addition of all the talented youngsters in August.
DeQuin Evans will return for his senior season as the most accomplished of the defensive ends on the roster. Having played the majority of the snaps in the 2009 season, he’ll also return as one of the most experienced ends despite being a junior college transfer. Evans will likely man the weak-side defensive end position where he can use his speed and athleticism to exploit slower linemen on passing plays. With the addition of so many talented young players, it will be important for Evans to play well and solidify his starting position during the spring practice sessions. Expect for him to be listed atop the depth chart at left defensive by the end of spring.
Most fans expected Chandler Burden to play on the offensive line or at defensive tackle when he was recruited as part of the 2008 class. Those same fans were surprised whennot only was he moved to defensive end, but also made the rotation as a true freshman. The playing time Burden gained as a freshman and sophomore should serve him well as he enters spring practice as the most experienced defensive end on the roster. He is likely to man the strong-side where his bigger frame will allow him to be more productive stopping the run. There is also a chance that, if the staff is comfortable with the other defensive ends on the roster, he could slide inside to defensive tackle where his experience at end will help him to provide a nice pass rush from the interior line. A solid effort during the spring practices could help him stay at End and also keep him in the mix for the starter on the right side.
Probably still best known for the hit that shook Tebow’s whole world, sophomore Taylor Wyndham will try to expand his play and become a more complete player this spring. He’ll need to put on more weight and strength during the offseason, but that shouldn’t be too difficult with the addition of Ray Oliver to the staff. If Wyndham can add the weight and strength, and can also show an ability to stop the run, it may allow Burden to move inside to tackle and make Wyndham the odds on favorite to win the starting job opposite DeQuin Evans.
There have been several of the “who’s that?” recruits that signed with Kentucky on National Signing Day since Brooks arrival, and one such player is Collins Ukwu. The redshirt sophomore from Tennessee has added a ridiculous 44 pounds to his frame to go from a 207 pound freshman to a 251 pound sophomore. He’ll need to add more weight yet, but he’s now a serviceable SEC caliber defensive end with enormous upside. He will probably work this spring on the strong-side defensive end position, but he does have the athleticism to play the weak-side as well. Expect his name to come up a lot this spring an for him to be a top backup going into fall camp.
While Kentucky has made a living off of finding low rated players and developing them into solid SEC contributors, Patrick Ligon is still a relative unknown amongst UK fans. He was committed to Memphis before switching over to Kentucky at the very end of January last year. With limited depth heading into spring, Ligon will have a great chance to showcase his ability and make his case for climbing up the depth chart. If he doesn’t make an impact in the defensive end rotation, there’s also the possibility of a move over to the offensive line. He was actually considered a better offensive line prospect as a prep player and could potentially make an impact at either position.
Coming off of his redshirt freshman season, Tristian Johnson is currently listed as a linebacker on Kentucky’s website. Despite this, he does show some potential as a pass rushing defensive end and played some at end during practices this season. Johnson is extremely strong for a player his size and standing at only 6’1, his lower center of gravity allows him to get underneath blocker’s pads and disrupt the play in the backfield. There have been some rumblings that 6’1 is just too short to play defensive end, but I would argue that people have said the same thing about colt’s defensive ends Dwight Freeney (6’1) and Robert Mathis (6’2), and they both have done extremely well in the NFL. There’s still a chance that Johnson is utilized as a middle linebacker or outside linebacker, but don’t be surprised if Johnson is officially moved to defensive end for good this spring.
With limited depth at defensive end, freshman Justin Henderson did himself a favor by enrolling at Kentucky in January. He’ll have an opportunity to go through spring practice with the team and will also reap the benefits of an offseason working out with Ray Oliver. With a good spring practice, Henderson could easily vault up the depth chart and find himself in the middle of the rotation at defensive end as a true freshman. Expect him to make an impact this spring and head into the fall camp as a top backup at one of the defensive end spots.
Kentucky is bringing in ten players who have potential at defensive end thin the 2010 class and while not all will end up at DE, several will stick there. Of the 26 members of the class, Henderson is the only early enrollee as a freshman. Henderson is making a case to be one that sticks and it’s highly likely Alvin Davis and Mike Evans-Douglas will as well. Both Davis and Evans-Douglas bring natural athleticism and basketball backgrounds to the position and should excel in pass rushing. Donte Rumph, Brice Laughlin, and Nermin Delic also should see some time at defensive end, although all have potential at other positions as well. Tim Patterson and Farrington Huguenin are both listed as linebackers, but could find their way to defensive end eventually because of their imposing size. Ronnie Shields and Tyler Robinson also both have experience as ends as well, but both may end up at tight end. Look for Kentucky to continue to recruit athletic defensive linemen to stock up talent at the ever important end position. Regardless of where anyone is placed, Kentucky should have more talent and depth along the defensive line than they’ve had in quite some time.
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