Sept 15, 2012; Lexington, KY, USA; Kentucky Wildcats wide receiver DeMarcus Sweat (83) runs the ball against the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers at Commonwealth Stadium. Credit: Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports
As most of you know, Kentucky’s already thin group of wide receivers took a hit when it lost both Bookie Cobbins and DeMarcus Sweat this week.
With their departures UK is left with just four scholarship receivers returning from last year, with another four newcomers arriving soon. Former Texas Tech coaches Neal Brown and Tommy Mainord have expressed their preference for having 12-15 wideouts on scholarship at any given time. Obviously there will have to some adjustments made in the first year.
For starters, a walk-on or two will likely see significant playing time during the season. AJ Johnson and Austin Sheehan are the most likely candidates. Johnson could provide an outside presence, whereas Sheehan is most comfortable in the slot. You could see Derrick Quarles or William Tanner make a move under the new staff as well. Two newcomers to keep an eye on are true freshman Cameron Fogle, a do-it-all athlete from Conner HS and Lucas Witt, who is giving up baseball to play receiver for the Cats. Witt hasn’t played football in a few years and Fogle hasn’t taken a college snap, so it’s too early to predict success but each player has a lot of potential.
Another adjustment will be the use of tight ends. It is reasonable to expect Ronnie Shields and Steve Borden to be split out more than in-line. Borden is actually listed as a WR/TE on the roster and figures to be used all over the field. Shields can create matchup problems with his size and speed combination, and he could flourish out wide where he won’t be asked to block defensive ends. Tyler Robinson will handle the blocking. Another tight end to watch in the passing game is former Freshman All-SEC Jordan Aumiller. Aumiller can be an asset in the passing game if he can stay healthy.
Tight ends aren’t the only ones who will be asking to shoulder the load as pass catchers. Running back is Kentucky’s deepest and most talented position on offense and Neal Brown has shown the ability to adapt to his personnel in the past. Senior Raymond Sanders has shown his ability to be an asset in the passing game and incoming freshmen JoJo Kemp and Khalid Thomas can both line up at multiple positions on offense. Don’t be surprised to see any or all of them lined up in the slot during the season. Add in balanced options line Jonathan George and Josh Clemons and you can expect more running than the traditional Air Raid offense. Neal Brown’s version has produced roughly a 60/40 split at Troy and Texas Tech, and we may see even more balance. Especially considering the swing passes and tunnel screens that are technically passes but are really an extension of the run game.
Last but not least, we may see the Wildcats add another receiver to the 2013 class. There was some talk a month ago about UK taking an interest in JUCO WR Jared Dangerfield. Dangerfield remains unsigned, despite early reports that he planned to decide in May. After all of the attrition they have room for one more player.