by Kyle
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.
From Wesley Woodyard to Braxton Kelley to Johnny Williams to Sam Maxwell, Kentucky has benefitted from spectacular play at the Outside Linebacker position. In Kentucky’s 4-3 base defense, the linebackers are responsible for stopping the run, covering tight ends and running backs, reading the offense, directing the defense and blitzing. The Cats will have to replace graduated senior Sam Maxwell this year and the order will be tall, but Weak-side linebacker Danny Trevathan will return to provide some continuity at the unit.
The position made famous by former Tampa Bay Buccaneer Derrick Brooks, the Weak-side or “Will” linebacker in the 4-3 is typically one of the most active players in the defense. His responsibility is to line up opposite of the tight end and do everything from blitz to cover the slot receiver at times. The premium on the position is speed and athleticism and returning starter Danny Trevathan fits the bill. He’s so fast that the staff experimented with him returning kicks last spring (unheard of for a linebacker), and the junior from Florida should have the inside track on the starting job this spring. He is a little light for a SEC linebacker at 220 pounds, but he shows an uncanny ability to recover quickly and play sideline to sideline. There is some speculation that the staff may try to put a little more weight on him and move him to the Strong-side spot, but his weight makes this seem unlikely. Expect Trevathan to enter and exit spring practice as the rock solid starter at the Weak-side linebacker position.
With now graduated Sam Maxwell’s emergence as a star during his senior year, there is some sentiment that senior-to-be Jacob Dufrene could fill the role. He had an opportunity to audition for the job during the Music City bowl while Maxwell was out with a torn labrum, and finished with 2.5 total tackles, one of those being a tackle-for-a-loss. If he hopes to play effectively, he’ll need to add to his 220 pound frame during the offseason with Coach Oliver. At the very least, Dufrene is a top notch special teams performer who can help in less noticeable ways. Expect him to be in the mix at the Strong-side linebacker position.
Many fans were surprised that sophomore Ridge Wilson didn’t play more this past season after the staff elected not to use a redshirt on him. Wilson is an extremely athletic option as a linebacker, and was an actually a McDonald’s All-American nominee as a prep basketball player. If Wilson hopes to win the Strong-side Linebacker job, he’ll need to add weight and strength to his 207 pound frame in hopes of holding up against the opponent’s running attack. A solid spring practice could actually make him the favorite to win the job heading into the summer. He should be senior Jacob Dufrene’s primary competition for the job.
It seems like déjà vu, but once again, Brandon Thurmond should be in the mix at both outside linebacker positions. Now a senior, fans are all too familiar with his emergence every spring, only to suffer an injury and miss the entire season. Thurmond has every tool you look for in a linebacker, but will need to stay on the field to have a chance to play. If he can stay healthy, he can definitely play. Thurmond is a long-shot to win a starting job, but there’s still a chance he stops Wilson and Dufrene for the Strong-side job. Expect him to be in the mix this spring.
UK recently announced a move from safety to linebacker for junior Matt Lentz. Originally recruited as a Quarterback, Lentz has bulked up to a 6’3 230 pound head hunter on defense and special teams. His speed and size will immediately add him to the mix for the Strong-side linebacker job, but he’ll have some catching up to do while getting acclimated to his third position since enrolling at Kentucky. Don’t sleep on Lentz in the competition for the starting job either. He has an obvious knack for getting bigger and stronger, and a passion for hitting that could make him a stand out. With an offseason working with Rock Oliver, Lentz could easily claim the job by the fall. Expect him to be in the mix at Strong-side linebacker this spring.
One player expected to be a top reserve is sophomore Antonio Thomas. Standing 6’1 and weighing in at 230 pounds, he can play either position and should contribute heavily on special teams. There is some speculation that he may eventually see a move to Fullback as well, but there has been no official indication that the move is forthcoming. Thomas could pull a shocker and get into the mix to compete as a starter, but it is more likely that he remains a backup and top special teams performer as he sees more playing time this season.
Never one to shy away from delivering a big hit, William Johnson should see more playing time in the 2010 season. While he’s a little light for a starting linebacker, the 6’2 205 pound sophomore has the athletic ability to contribute on special teams and on obvious passing downs. He’s got plenty of work to do in the weight room and at the dinner table to be considered a candidate to start at the Strong-side position, but Johnson could lock down a role as the top backup at the Weak-side position this spring. He should also continue his role as a top special teams player.
The smallest of UK’s Linebacker unit, sophomore Ryan Mosby stands 5’11 and weighs only 200 pounds. A naturally strong athlete, he’ll need a good performance this spring and a great offseason in the weight room to be considered a viable candidate to see the field on defense. Where he fits best at this point in his career is on the kickoff and punt coverage teams where he can use his speed and big hit ability to play early. With good work ethic, he could be in the mix at the weak-side Linebacker position next spring. Expect him to be a top reserve at linebacker and he could see the field on obvious passing downs.
Kentucky will bring in several freshmen this spring with potential at Outside Linebacker this spring. The most likely of the group to contribute early are Jabari Johnson, Tim Patterson, and Malcom McDuffen. There is a chance that Quarterback Tyler Brause and Running back Miles Simpson also are converted to linebackers down the road, but it appears that both will start out on offense for the time being. The spring practices will be extremely important to the upperclassmen as they try to cement their position on the depth chart before the freshmen arrive.
Overall, the Outside Linebacker unit is a little undersized compared to previous players, but well stocked. Kentucky should feature a capable backup for each position and could also see several reserve players on the field in different situations. Spring practices will go a long way in ensuring that Kentucky’s recent history of outstanding linebackers continues.
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