Kentucky Wildcats Football: The possible effects of Thaddeus Snodgrass
By Kyle
Feb 20, 2013; Lexington, KY, USA; Kentucky Wildcats mascot during the game against the Vanderbilt Commodores at Rupp Arena. Kentucky defeated Vanderbilt 74-70. Mandatory Credit: Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports
It has become very clear that the Kentucky coaching staff has made the wide receiver position a top priority in the 2014 class. Kentucky is sitting pretty with several big names at the position and, while signing day for 2014 is a long way off, things are starting to shape up nicely. I’ve already highlighted why Cincinnati native Derek Kief should be a top priority for UK, but now another receiver from the Buckeye state has worked his way into the picture.
Thaddeus Snodgrass is a name that Kentucky fans should really get to know. The 6’1 receiver from Springfield Ohio has made a big impression on the Kentucky coaching staff…and they’ve made a big impression on him too. Snodgrass is a consensus four-star wide receiver and a top-25 player at his position nationally. He has good height, speed, and hands, but can really hurt defenses in open space. He has the ability to play on the perimeter of the offense or inside in the slot and is as versatile as any receiver that Kentucky is recruiting this year. Springfield is only about two and a half hours from Lexington and takes about the same amount of time as to drive to as Bowling Green KY. Essentially, Snodgrass is an in-state recruit for UK and the staff can sell him on coming down to Lexington to play in the SEC.Cincinnati-area players and create a big Buckeye caravan down I-75. But, what does Snodgrass mean in the grand scheme?
Kentucky has limited scholarships in the 2014 class at this point and it is expected to be smaller than this year’s signing class. Those wondering if this affects the recruitment of wide receivers can rest easy though, as it appears several of Kentucky’s top targets at the position. Ideally, the Wildcats take three receivers in 2014 to help bolster depth, add play-makers, and diversify the receiving corps in general. It appears as though the top targets at receiver this season are Derek Kief, Thaddeus Snodgrass, and Braxton Berrios, in no particular order. It is important to remember that these three are all different receivers and that Kentucky would likely take all three if possible. Which leads me to my final point today. If the Wildcats can lock up all three of their top receivers and a couple of other top targets, the offense could potentially look something like this:
QB: Drew Barker / 4-star / 6’3 gunslinger that can make all the throws and is deceptively athletic.
RB: Michael Horton / 4-star / 220+ pound running back that could destroy defenses in the spread.
WR: Thaddeus Snodgrass / 4-star / Do-it-all receiver that can run reverses, the wildcat, and burn defenders deep.
WR: Derek Kief / 4-star / 6’5 receiver that could literally set records at UK for touchdowns in a season or career
WR: Braxton Berrios / 4-star / Craig Yeast clone that was born to work the slot in Brown’s Air-raid offense
Think about that for a second. Snodgrass could possibly be the first piece of the puzzle, as he, Barker, Berrios, Kief, and Horton have kept in contact in one way or another. This group could possibly be the beginning to the most dynamic offense that UK has ever seen, possibly one of the toughest college football has ever seen. And the kicker…Kief, Snodgrass, Horton, and Barker can drive home on weekdays to have their moms do their laundry (I’m sure someone will help out Berrios). The times have changed for Kentucky football and the 2014 recruiting class should be one of the best ever for the Cats. If reports are right and Snodgrass enjoyed his visit and moved UK into the drivers seat, he could be the first domino in the recruiting class that could change the fortunes of Kentucky football forever.