Nov 16, 2013; Nashville, TN, USA; Kentucky Wildcats head coach Mark Stoops during the first half against the Vanderbilt Commodores at Vanderbilt Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports
The majority of the Kentucky football articles you are likely to read this offseason will likely have familiar themes. The quarterback competition is obviously a hot story, so it will get plenty of pub. The loaded running back position is another go-to because of the unusual depth of talent the Wildcats have. Then there’s also the “OMG, UK’s defensive ends will be so good” story likely to be thrown out about the team’s two best players.
One story your likely only to find here, is how badly UK will miss Jordan Aumiller this season.
Please hold your sarcasm for a moment and let me plead my case.
Normally, a senior tight end with 12 catches for 124 total yards and zero touchdowns isn’t that tough to replace. Factor in that he didn’t have a single catch in his sophomore or junior seasons and he hadn’t even been a regular contributor since his redshirt freshman season (18 grabs for 193 yards and a touchdown), and it seems even worse.
But football folks saw more than a pass – catcher last season.
On a ridiculously young team, Aumiller was an experienced veteran. His play indicated a clear understanding of the difference attention to detail makes. On most long plays, Aumiller could be found ten to twenty yards down the field blocking and opening up lanes for the runner to break wide open. He was never the most athletic player on the team, probably not even the most athletic tight end even. But he was reliable and a guy the coaches could count on.
Many readers won’t remember than Aumiller was a two-star “athlete” when he came to Kentucky and was really a man without a position. He floated back and forth between linebacker and tight end during his redshirt season before taking over the starting job at tight end as a redshirt freshman almost by default. He was never big enough to be a consistent blocker though, and this eventually led to him being supplanted by the bigger Tyler Robinson and others when passing deficiencies forced the previous coaching staff to focus on running the ball. Aumiller, once a member of the SEC all – freshmen team, was formally lost in the shuffle.
When the coaching staff changed and Neal Brown brought the Air – raid back to Lexington, the future of the tight end position became cloudy. Talk of Anthony Kendrick’s emergence began, Ronnie Shields’ receiving abilities made him a likely cotributor, and Robinson figured to be the top choice for blocking assignments. Aumiller was a serious afterthought by most.
Then when the season started, there was Jordan Aumiller starting. He would continue to start 10 of 12 games in 2013 and contribute in all despite not being the best receiver or blocker at his position.
What did he have going for him?
He was a tough and experienced workaholic.
Down field blocking became his forte. He was a reliable target for Kentucky’s unreliable quarterbacks when they needed one. Aumiller did all the little things that many football players just don’t want to do and he did them well. Now the question to be answered is: who will replace him?
Senior Steven Borden has potential. He possesses ideal size and elite athleticism for a tight end. But he will only be in his second year and he was unable to shine last season after transferring from junior college. Ronnie Shields was athletic enough last season to be moved to wide receiver. But then again he rarely played there and his blocking is questionable at best. Daryl Long looks promising, but it will be tough for a true freshman to start at tight end in the SEC, especially one that didn’t enroll early. The reality is that there is no obvious heir apparent for Aumiller at this time.
With plenty of time remaining in, the offseason, the staff will find a starting tight end. Whether or not he can fill the shoes of one of the most under – appreciated players Kentucky has had in the past decade remains to be seen.