2014 Recruit Stanley Johnson and Former Kentucky Wildcat Randall Cobb are Poised to Make Some Noise

Dec 9, 2012; Green Bay, WI, USA; Green Bay Packers wide receiver Randall Cobb (18) makes a one handed catch during the third quarter against the Detroit Lions at Lambeau Field. The Packers won 27-20. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

As we usher in the Mark Stoops era of Kentucky Wildcats football, let’s not forget about the impact one former Kentucky Wildcat in particular is having in the NFL. Many of us watched every Saturday as Randall Cobb ran, caught and threw for touchdowns and knew he would take the NFL on a ride. Coming into his third season with the Green Bay Packers, he is poised to have his “break out” season even after hauling in 80 balls last season. CBSSports.com Senior NFL Columnist named Randall Cobb to his “Breakout Players” list and that’s pretty high praise coming from the chronic curmudgeon.

"Randall Cobb, WR, Green Bay Packers: Aaron Rodgers recently talked about how he expects Cobb to be a big-time star this season. I agree. He had 80 catches last season, but I expect him to do a lot more with Greg Jennings gone. He is also an explosive return man."

Many of you will remember this jaw dropper from his rookie season in his FIRST GAME!

As the recruiting season NEVER ENDS, Jeff Borzello had some interesting info on #13 ranked 2014 player and current UK target, Stanley Johnson.  Though he’s a 5-Star player, he apparently isn’t the best at anything, outside of being the hardest worker on the floor with the most to prove.  Who doesn’t need a kid like that?  Or a team of them?  Michael Kidd-Gilchrist ring any bells?  I can’t wait to see this kid wearing Kentucky Blue and White and since he desires a lot of wins, should there really be a question?

"Stanley Johnson isn’t the biggest player in the class of 2014. He’s not the most athletic or the best shooter. He’s not the most explosive or the best ball-handler.And that’s fine with him.Johnson will just outwork everyone and be arguably the most consistently productive player on the circuit.“I just play harder than everybody else,” Johnson said last weekend at the Pangos All-American Camp. “That’s probably the only thing I have up on anybody else in the country; I play harder than you. A lot of players do a lot of great things. A lot of great scorers in our class, a lot of great dunkers. But I think I can separate myself by playing harder than everybody else.”Johnson, a 6-foot-6 prospect from Mater Dei (Calif.), is ranked No. 13 in the 247 Sports Composite, but he could be in for a boost after such a stellar spring performance.Johnson is a matchup nightmare for most opponents, due to his strong body and ability to finish at the rim. He can post-up smaller defenders, but has also improved his ball-handling and perimeter shooting. Moreover, Johnson has a nose for the ball on the glass, constantly snaring rebounds at both ends. He can also guard multiple positions.His natural position at the next level could be a question, but a versatile do-it-all type of player can always find a role.“I see myself as a three,” Johnson said. “People are saying I’m a two. But I like to post up, and threes post up the most. That’s what I want to do in college, post up, go inside-out, bring it up, do a lot of different things.”Plenty of schools would love to have his services, but Johnson has his list at eight: Kansas, Duke, Florida, Oregon, Kentucky, Arizona, USC and UCLA.He said Arizona and Kentucky are coming at him the hardest and have been recruiting him the longest. Both schools are expected to get official visits in the fall, with the Tucson trip the first one he has scheduled. Oregon and Florida will also get official visits, while Johnson will take unofficials to USC and UCLA.“A place where I can go and succeed,” he said. “A place where I can bring it up, do multiple things, and be free. Just be like I am. I can bring it up, I can pass it, I can shoot it. Play different roles.“And try to win. I like winning, and it would be weird to go to college and start losing. I want to win.”"

Yesterday, DeAngelo Russell, the 6’4″ SG from Louisville who is playing down in Florida for Montverde Academy has chosen to take his talents to Ohio State University.  He wasn’t really recruited by John Calipari but did hold an offer from Louisville so there’s that.  He was ranked #24 in ESPN’s 60.  I don’t understand why OSU but if you can’t come to UK why play on the state’s second best basketball school?  Paul Biancardi had this:

"Russell, a 6-foot-4, 180-pound shooting guard from Louisville, Ky., who attends Montverde Academy in Florida, chose the Buckeyes over Louisville, Michigan State and North Carolina.The Buckeyes now have four commits for the Class of 2014, including three from the ESPN 60. Russell joins shooting guard Jae’Sean Tate and power forward Keita Bates-Diop. Ohio State also has a commit from three-star power forward David Bell.“I decided to go to Ohio State because of the environment of the program, the coaching staff and the players I will be playing with such as Keita Bates-Diop,” Russell said."

Jason King of ESPN compiled a Path to the Draft: Top 10 from the SEC list and it was LOADED with former Kentucky Wildcats.

"2. Rajon Rondo, Kentucky: The point guard never really found his groove at UK, but he’s currently one of the best — if not the best — at his position in the NBA. Rondo, a constant triple-double threat, has averaged more than 11 assists in each of the past three seasons and led the league in that category the past two seasons (although it should be noted that he was injured in 2012-13 and played just 38 games). A four-time NBA All-Star and 2008 NBA champion, Rondo’s best days could still be ahead.7. Jamal Mashburn, Kentucky: Mashburn averaged 19.1 points and 5.4 rebounds in 10 NBA seasons. He was an NBA All-Star in 2003, the same season he earned third-team all-league honors. Mashburn averaged 20 or more points in six of his 10 seasons, including a career-high 24.1 points for Dallas in 1994-95. Mashburn retired in 2006 after missing the previous two seasons with knee problems.9. Tayshaun Prince, Kentucky: Prince recently completed his 12th NBA season by helping the Memphis Grizzlies to the Western Conference finals, where they lost to San Antonio. Prince played the previous 11 seasons in Detroit, where his strong defensive play and 3-point shooting helped the Pistons win the 2004 NBA championship. Prince averaged a career-best 14.7 points the following season.Other notables: All of these players have excelled in the NBA, including a few who almost cracked the top 10 (names in alphabetical order).Derek Anderson, KentuckyRon Mercer, KentuckyOn the cusp: These guys haven’t been in the league long enough to make the top 10, but it wouldn’t be a surprise if any of them were there soon (names in alphabetical order).DeMarcus Cousins, KentuckyAnthony Davis, KentuckyMichael Kidd-Gilchrist, KentuckyBrandon Knight, KentuckyJohn Wall, Kentucky"

In some very sad news as reported yesterday, retired Miami University Head Basketball Coach, Charlie Coles died at the age of 71. His greatest success came as the Red Hawks coach from 1996-2012 when he retired after having coached the prolific NCAA Tournament scorer Wally Sczerbiak. Matt Norlander had this:

Former Miami University coach Charlie Coles has died, the school’s Twitter feed announced Friday afternoon. He was 71.

Coles was known for his authentic, engaging personality and for being a genuine character in the fraternity of college basketball coaches.

The clip above is Coles’ most well-known podium moment. After the RedHawks fell to John Wall and Kentucky 72-70 in 2009, the coach was asked how the “game got away” from him and his team. I won’t spoil any more of the video. Just watch it. When you do, you’ll realize why it’s already been tweeted out by sports fans and writers dozens of times in the immediacy of this news. It’s one of the more memorable press-conference quips from college hoops in the past decade.

Coles coached at two places in his career. He led Central Michigan from 1985 to 1991, going 92-84 and making one NCAA tournament. Miami, his alma mater, hired him in 1996, and for the next 16 years Coles won 266 games, making three NCAA tournaments (including a Sweet 16 run in 1999) and averaging nearly 17 wins a season.

Coles retired in March of 2012 as the all-time leader in wins at Miami and in the MAC, with 218 victories in the conference.