Kentucky Wildcats Football Spring Primer: Cornerbacks

Nov 24, 2012; Knoxville, TN, USA; Kentucky Wildcats defensive back Cody Quinn (16) pushes Tennessee Volunteers wide receiver Cordarrelle Patterson (84) out of bounds during the game against the Kentucky Wildcats at Neyland Stadium. Tennessee won by a score of 37 to 17. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports

The Skinny:
I’m not going to lie to you. It’s bad. How a team can go into spring practice with only four scholarship corners is beyond me. When you consider how many offenses use 3,4, and even 5 receiver sets, it just makes things that much worse. The previous staff may not have mismanaged a position worse than they did the corners, which is likely why it has been such a consistent issue year in and year out. The arrival of the three cornerbacks in the 2013 signing class will certainly help, but spring is going to be tough on these guys. Simmons is on his last leg and if he can’t make some noise this spring, he may not be in the mix at all come summer camp. Tiller is probably the most naturally gifted corner on the team but got burned too much as a true freshman and seemed to have a penchant for hitting players out of bounds. Despite this, Tiller has as much long-term upside as any player on the roster. Quinn probably wasn’t ready to go toe-to-toe with the physical SEC receivers as a true freshman but played well anyway. This baptism by fire will only help him down the road though, so there is a silver lining. Blaylock has potential but is a relative unknown after missing his freshman season due to injury. The walk-ons are getting a lot of time in this spring, and could make some noise come call. J.D. Harmon had a relatively good freshman season a d depth issues combined with an underestimated level of natural talent could drive him up the depth chart again. Jerry Williams has made the switch from receiver to corner over the past two seasons and should challenge for a backup job despite his walk-on status. I know Cosy Lewis is a long-shot to ever see the field, but I’ve also learned to never count out Alcoa kids either. The other two walk on corners are new additions and not much is known about either one.

Sept 8, 2012; Lexington, KY, USA; Kent State Golden Flashes running back Dri Archer (1) runs for a touchdown against Kentucky Wildcats cornerback JD Harmon (15) at Commonwealth Stadium. Credit: Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports

There really is little doubt that this position is one of the weakest on the team and Willis, McClain, and Hytchye cannot get here fast enough.

My Prediction:
I really don’t even know how this is going to shake out this spring, but I’ll try to give a prediction anyway. I believe things will click for Tiller and he will easily win a starting job by the spring game. Quinn played as well as you could ask for from a true freshman and certainly looked better than some of his counterparts as well. I think those two will win the starting jobs. Simmons just hasn’t shown anything yet, Blaylock is coming off of a serious injury, and I don’t see a walk-on that’s in the same class as either guy. Both should take the opportunity this spring and summer to hone their talents as much as possible though, because some stiff competition is coming this summer.