Kentucky Wildcats Football: Sizing up the needs in the 2013 recruiting class
By Kyle
Linebackers
We’re including both hybrid positions here because, let’s be honest, both are way closer to linebackers than linemen or defensive backs. Considering both of these spots as linebackers gives Kentucky 10 total players at the four different positions (on the current roster). What is scary though, is that only Avery Williamson will even be a junior this coming season and all other players will be redshirt sophomores, sophomores, redshirt freshmen, or true freshmen this fall. In addition, a 2012 class full of projected defensive players could add up to five more linebackers to the mix. While the interior two spots are fully stocked, the exterior hybrids could use a body or two, depending on how the incoming freshmen fill out. If Daron Blaylock and Josh Harris can work their way into linebackers, the need here is lessened significantly. To be safe though, adding two fresh bodies to the position group would be a good idea.
Needs: 2
Defensive Backs
One might think that the staff could skip over recruiting defensive backs after signing a whopping nine players listed as DBs this year, but you would be wrong. Several of the players signed are projected as linebackers or hybrids and each individual’s placement will determine how many additional corners and safeties that the team needs to add this year. The current roster has four scholarship cornerbacks and three recruited scholarship safeties with Cartier Rice (CB) and Martavius Neloms (FS) leaving after the 2012 season. Adding 2012 signees Cody Quinn, Jonathan Reed, Shawn Blaylock, and Fred Tiller to Marcus Caffey, Eric Simmons and Eric Dixon will give Kentucky 7 cornerbacks after this season. Adding two more should be a no-brainer. The team will return both Glenn Faulkner and Ashely Lowery at safety along with 2012 signees Sterling Wright and Zack Blaylock. Depending on how Josh Harris and Daron Blaylock develop, they could be safeties as well. Assuming both grow into linebackers or hybrids, Kentucky will only have four safeties past the 2012 season. Adding two more should give the team enough depth for comfort.
Needs: 4