Now that the 2011 Kentucky Football season is officially over, we can spend a
bunch of time reflecting on what went wrong OR we can move forward and start
looking at what might be in store for 2012. I’m more interested in where we’re
going than where we’ve been, so today I’m going to look at the roster and see
what talent Kentucky returns. Because recruiting is an ever-changing landscape,
I’ve left off anyone not on the current roster. We’ll worry about the recruits
once they’re signed.
OFFENSE
Quarterback
Sr - Morgan Newton
So - Maxwell Smith
So- Jacob Russell
Fr- Bookie Cobbins
Losing: No one
It looks like Maxwell Smith and Morgan Newton will battle it out in spring
practice for the starting QB job. I would bet that Smith heads into spring
as the number one guy, but counting out Newton is premature. Russell is a
dark horse in the race and just might come out on top while everyone else is
focusing on Newton and Smith. Cobbins may be better suited for another position,
but could provide a change-of-pace option at quarterback if he stays.
Running back
Sr - CoShik Williams
Jr - Raymond Sanders
Jr - Jonathan George
So - Josh Clemons
So - Brandon Gainer
Fr - Marcus Caffey
Losing: No one
It looks like there will be a heck of a battle for playing a time at running
back this spring for the Wildcats. Raymond Sanders was the starter at the
beginning of the year, but injuries kept him from playing a full season. His
top backup Josh Clemons also missed much of the year to injuries. While there
will be a depth chart order for the running backs, I would expect most of them
to play at some point or another due to the physical toll the position takes.
Sanders is likely to be the starter going into camp because of his versatility,
but Clemons and Williams will be sure to give him a run for his money. I think
George and Gainer could really be surprises this spring and one of the two
could make a huge jump up the depth chart. Of course, either guy could transfer
too. Caffey is probably behind everyone else at this point, but I wouldn’t be
surprised to see him moved to defensive back. He excelled their in high school
and Kentucky loses a boatload of seniors at the corner and safety positions this
season. He could be on the field on defense this fall.
Fullback
So - D.J. Warren
Jr - Cody Jones
Jr - Andrew Joseph
Losing: No one
Warren was able to start as a true freshman and he did a very good job. I would
not expect him to relinquish the job to someone else unless he is injured.
Wide Receiver
Sr - La’Rod King
Sr - Gene McCaskill
Sr - Aaron Boyd
Jr - E.J. Fields
Jr - Brian Adams
So - Demarco Robinson
Fr - Rashad Cunningham
Fr - Daryl Collins
Losing: Matt Roark
The only guy that I think has earned a starting spot at wide receiver is La’Rod
King. The battle for playing time should be intense past him, because no one else
has been impressive enough to be considered a front runner. McCaskill really
struggled with drops throughout the season, Boyd has never been a consistent
contributor in his career, Fields (who will technically be a senior, but would
likely get a 6th year of eligibility if he applied for it) had a good game against
Louisville but was quiet after that game, and there’s been some talk of Adams giving
up football to focus on a promising baseball career.
When you look at the underclassmen, Robinson was used excessively on reverses that
rarely worked and didn’t catch the ball much, and Cunningham and Collins both sat out
with red shirts. Based solely on potential, I would say Collins and McCaskill would be
the other starters, but the spring practice session should help clear things up.
Tight End
Jr - Jordan Aumiller
Jr - Anthony Kendrick
Jr - Tyler Robinson
So - Ronnie Shields
Losing: Nick Melillo
This is probably the most confusing position to try to figure out on the offense.
UK doesn’t lose anyone but Nick Melillo, but he was probably the most consistent player
at the position. I think Aumiller will win out during the spring because he seems to
have the best blend of receiving and blocking skills. Robinson has been an impressive
blocker and Kendrick and Shields are very athletic, but they all have their weaknesses.
An impact recruit or transfer might help the position.
Offensive line
Sr - Larry Warford
Sr - Matt Smith
Sr - Trevino Woods
Jr - Sam Simpson
Jr - Kevin Mitchell
So - Darrian Miller
So - Teven Eatmon-Nared
Fr - Zach West
Fr - James Elliott
Losing: Chandler Burden, Stuart Hines, Jake Lanefski, Billy Joe Murphy.
The status of the 2012 offensive line will really depend on whether senior-to-be
Larry Warford returns for his senior season or enters the NFL draft early. With
Warford, the O-line will be a concern, but will have two returning starters and a
sophomore that played extensively at tackle. Without Warford, the offensive line will
be replacing four of five starters and will be one of the potentially weakest position
groups on the team. I would expect Warford to return, and he and Smith should have no
trouble locking down the center and one guard position. Darrian Miller played well
enough as a freshman to be the front-runner to start at left tackle too. The other
guard and tackle spot should be available though, and it will be interesting to see
who comes out on top. Sam Simpson is listed as a center, but can play guard as well.
He, Kevin Mitchell, and Zach West will probably all be in the running to win the open
guard position. I would imagine that Woods will put up a fight for the other tackle
position, but I can’t see anyone other than Eatmon-Nared winning the job at this time.
His combination of size and athleticism is rare.
Your projected starting offense heading into spring practice:
QB - M. Smith
RB - R. Sanders
FB - D. Warren
WR - L. King
WR - D. Collins
WR - G. McCaskill
TE - J. Aumiller
LT - D. Miller
LG - K. Mitchell
C - M. Smith
RG - L. Warford
RT - T. Eatmon-Nared
Disclaimer: This is all purely speculation on my part*
