The Wildcats added two players to the 2012 class this weekend when news broke that Mason County linebacker Josh Harris and duPont Manual defensive tackle Thomas Chapman had committed to Kentucky after junior day. That got me thinking about the 2012 class and what needs the Wildcats will have to fill.
Quarterback
The Cats return Morgan Newton, and brought in Greyshirt Maxwell Smith in time for bowl practices. Bookie Cobbins is unlikely to have a serious impact during his freshman year after injuring his shoulder as a high school senior. It’s all walk-ons after that.
Need Level: 10
The Wildcats will need to sign at least one quarterback in the 2012 class, preferably two. With the uncertainty of Cobbins’ ability to recover from his surgery, he may be moved to another position at some point as well. If that happens, two freshmen and a JUCO might not be a bad idea.
Best Bet:Patrick Towles
Towles is an in-state kid from Ft. Thomas that has admittedly grown up a UK fan. He’s as polished as a high school player gets and is an excellent fit for the Kentucky offense.
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Running back
Kentucky lost their top two rushers from the 2011 season when Derrick Locke graduated and Donald Russell decided to transfer. That being said, the stable is still pretty full. Raymond Sanders took over the primary backup job after Locke was injured and will return as a sophomore. Brandon Gainer will be coming off his redshirt year and many expect him to compete for carries beginning this spring. Bruiser Jonathan George will be a sophomore and may be moved to fullback or kept as a between the tackles runner. And the Wildcats will add two highly rated freshmen in Marcus Caffey and Josh Clemons.
Need Level: 2
You can never have too many good backs, but Kentucky doesn’t really need to sign one in the 2012 class. If a good prospect wants to pick UK, the Cats should certainly take him, but it’s not a necessity.
Best Bet:Travis Elliott
With Kentucky not really needing a running back, Elliott might be a good guy to take a flier on. He’s got the size and strength to move to fullback down the road, which is an integral part of Kentucky’s offense.
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Wide Receiver
No single player will be more sorely missed than Randall Cobb. There’s not really a way to replace him, but UK will have to try. While he and Kentucky’s second leading receiver Chris Matthews are off auditioning for the NFL, the Cats will return Senior Matt Roark, juniors Gene McCaskill, LaRod King, E.J. Fields, and Aaron Boyd, and sophomore Brian Adams. With the expected arrival of Daryl Collins, DeMarco Robinson, Rashad Cunningham, Nile Daniel, Bubba Tandy, and Josh Forrest, the receiving corps looks to be pretty full. But there is a chance that changes could alter the need level. There’s been some speculation that Boyd and Fields may give up football at some point. McCaskill is coming off of a knee injury and his status still isn’t certain. Brian Adams is a promising baseball player and could eventually choose the diamond over the gridiron. Tandy and Daniel may end up in the defensive backfield, and Forrest could end up at tight end. Granted this is ALL speculation, but the need for receivers in the 2012 class is going to remain fluid for the time being.
Need Level: 5
With three juniors (until Fields is granted an extra year, which is likely) on the roster, the Cats probably need to take 2-3 receivers in the 2012 Class. If some added attrition possible, Kentucky may need to take as many as five receivers.
Best bets: Vincent Miller & Jordan Williams
Miller is an athlete that can hurt the defense in multiple ways, he’s not the biggest or the fastest guy our there, but he’s a proven playmaker and he’s from right here in Lexington. Williams is a 6’4 receiver from Indianapolis that fits Kentucky’s pro-style offense well.
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Tight End
Kentucky will return a stable of young and talented tight ends. Walk-on Nick Melillo will return from injury for his senior season and figures to at least provide depth. Sophomores Jordan Aumiller, Tyler Robinson, and Anthony Kendrick will return from last season and the three of them where the primary tight ends used in 2010 as freshmen. Possibly the most exciting players at the position are Alex Smith and Ronnie Shields, who both will come in off of their redshirt season. Smith was Kentucky’s highest rated recruit from the 2010 class and Shields has gotten rave reviews from the staff. Kentucky also singed Alvin Dupree and Josh Forrest in the 2011 class. While it appears Forrest will start out as a receiver or defensive back and Dupree will start out at defensive end, either could end up at tight end as well.
Need Level: 1
The Cats are loaded with young tight ends with no scholarship player being in their junior or senior year. Adding another tight end would be a luxury, but with Joker’s love for long athletes, it’s pretty likely Kentucky will bring one in.
Best bet: Taylor McNamara
The stud tight end from California has caught the eye of just about every major college in the country. With tight end not really being a need, swing for the fences. This guy has serious potential.
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Offensive line
The Wildcats lost part-time starter Brad Durham and top backup Marcus Davis to graduation, but return the majority of their offensive line. Starting tackle and rising senior Chandler Burden will likely anchor one side of the line with rising senior and part-time 2010 starter Billy Joe Murphy likely taking over the other tackle spot. The strength of the unit will probably be the three returning starters along the interior line with senior Stuart Hines, and junior Larry Warford at the guard spots and junior center Matt Smith all expected to retain their starting roles. The backup spots should be deep as well with sophomore center Sam Simpson, junior guard Dave Ullinski, sophomore guard Kevin Mitchell, junior tackle Trevino Woods, freshman tackle Teven Eatmon, and senior utility lineman Jake Lanefski all returning as well. To bolster the unit, local standouts Darrian Miller and Zach West were added in the 2011 class and guard prospect James Elliott is expected to enroll in January as a greyshirt.
Need level: 9
With three probable starters and a top backup in their final season of eligibility and four juniors along the line, the Wildcats will need to add some beef and soon. Kentucky probably needs to add at least 3 offensive lineman in the 2012 class, preferably 4-5.
Best Bets: Joe Manley, John Heile, Jake Meador
Manley is a beast of a human being from Bowling Green and has been on Kentucky’s radar for a while. He’s got the skills and size to play anywhere along the line in college. Heile is a talented interior lineman from Trinity high school, and could eventually play guard or center. Meador is an extremely talented tackle prospect from Indiana that is high on the Cats.
A look at the defense is coming on Thursday.
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