The Blue/White game has come and gone, to my personal dismay. The most anticipated event in recent Kentucky Football history certainly lived up to the hype and the pageantry on Saturday nearly outweighed the actual game. Nearly being the key word there.
Today I’m here to highlight the top performers from Saturday. We won’t be looking into the players that didn’t do as well because its only spring and the staff has only worked through 14 practices with the team. There’s plenty of time for the best players to make an impact before the team takes the field this fall. Without further ado, here’s the top ten “Winners” from spring practice.
#1 – Rashad Cunningham – WR – SO
There’s little question as to who the breakout star was from the spring game. Cunningham hauled in 8 catches for 80 yards and a touchdown while playing several series against the first team defense. Remember, Cunningham has never caught a pass in a game or even played meaningful snaps in his college career yet. Although he let a couple of passes slip through his fingers early, the big target finished strong and his emergence will be one of the top stories through the rest of the offseason.
#2 – Dy’Shawn Mobley – RB – SO
The arrival of Neal Brown’s offense theoretically should have been the first step towards the end of Mobley’s playing time in Lexington. Instead, the power back adjusted his game and has obviously adapted well to the new scheme. Mobley ran the ball 15 times for 79 yards and caught an eight yard pass Saturday. Most importantly, he was constantly moving forward and wasn’t caught in the backfield. An average rush of 5.3 yards a carry is hard to argue with and Mobley should now have worked his way into consideration for some serious playing time.
#3 – Za’Darius Smith – DE – JR
It’s hard to say Smith was a surprise because of how highly regarded the JUCO transfer was, but he looked good. He has prototypical size for a defensive end and was a constant disruption to the offense on his way to six tackles. It might be the shock of the century if Smith isn’t one of the starting defensive ends come fall.
#4 – Bud Dupree – DE – JR
As good as Smith was, Dupree was tight there with him. He didn’t light up the stat sheet or anything but to truly appreciate Dupree’s performance, you had to watch the game. He was giving the offense hell on every play and his athleticism was blatantly obvious all night. This is the first time that Kentucky has had two defensive ends of this caliber and both should be monsters come fall.
#5 – A.J. Legree – WR – SO
Cunningham stole the show on Saturday, but Legree had a not-so-quiet coming out party as well. He hauled in 7 catches for 68 yards and a touchdown and looked like the type of complete receiver that can flourish in this offense.
#6 – Tristian Johnson – DT – SR
Its easy to forget Johnson. He has a super common last name, is short and not all that heavy for a defensive tackle, and has been on the team for almost five years. After the Spring Game though, people are going to remember him. Johnson’s elite athleticism (for a DT) was on display and the former linebacker was all over the field. He finished with 4 tackles and a sack, but his presence was more valuable than the stats would indicate. The new defensive scheme should allow Johnson to be featured as an interior pass rusher, so don’t be surprised if he follows up this season with a big final year.
#7 – Ashely Lowery – SS – JR
Lowery played significant minutes as a freshman and started as a sophomore, so his play shouldn’t be a surprise. Still, his 3 tackles and interception were impressive and his ability to play sideline-to-sideline set him apart from the other defensive backs. With so much youth back there, Lowery will be counted on to be the leader of the unit.
#8 – Jalen Whitlow – QB – SO
Many folks would have Whitlow higher than this, but I can’t bring myself to do it. Whitlow was certainly impressive and has improved dramatically from his freshman year, but its hard to judge a scrambling quarterback that knows he can’t be hit all game. Whitlow’s biggest weakness last season was collapsing under pressure, so I’d be interested to see how he does in a live scrimmage. Still, the man completed 61% of his throws for 193 yards, 2 touchdowns, and zero picks, so if he can replicate that stat line under real pressure, the coaches could have something special on their hands.
#9 – Tyler Robinson – TE – SR
Many thought Robinson’s days as a tight end were over when Brown was hired. Not only does he rarely feature the tight end, but Robinson wasn’t exactly athletic enough to be a serious receiving threat. Instead of accepting his fate, Robinson slimmed down, sped up, and emerged as the best tight end on the roster Saturday night. It remains to be seen how much the staff uses his position this fall, but Robinson was able to pile up 54 yards on only three catches, so the staff may have to find a way to use him.
#10 – Demarco Robinson – WR – JR
Last year Robinson was the breakout star of the spring game and it did not translate to success in the fall. This year Robinson stood out again on his way to 6 catches for 93 yards and a touchdown. He is probably a better fit for this type of offense and proved his big play ability on a 47 yard bomb from Maxwell Smith. The competition at receiver is fierce, but Robinson seems to be clicking again.
#11 – Reese Phillips – QB – FR
I know his performance doesn’t REALLY matter, but you have to be impressed by Reese Phillips. The man went 10 for 12 (83%) for 75 yards and no touchdowns or picks. I highly doubt he will seriously challenge for the starting job this year and he may even redshirt, but Kentucky may have found a gem here.