Kentucky Wildcats Football: Ones That Got Away

This week I came across a random fact on the internet that started an obsession.

After learning that former Kentucky DB commit Jacoby Glenn is first team all-conference for Central Florida, after Derrick Ansley recruited him to join the Knights, I got on a roll of checking on former commits and targets that went elsewhere. So for the fellow recruiting junkies out there, here are some names that you might remember:

November 21, 2013; Orlando, FL, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights running back Paul Glenn (34) fights for the ball against UCF Knights defensive back Jacoby Glenn (12) at Bright House Networks Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Griffith-USA TODAY Sports

• DB Jacoby Glenn- Glenn was once a sleeper for UK before he flipped to UCF. The Cats took Shawn Blaylock and Johnathan Reed that year. Neither are with the team now. Glenn, meanwhile, was named to the AAC First Team and the Freshman All American Team as a redshirt frosh last year. He’s poised for a big career for the Knights.

Nov 2, 2013; Raleigh, NC, USA; North Carolina State Wolfpack running back Shadrach Thornton (10) is tackled by linebacker Malik Simmons (11) after hurdling teammate Joe Thuney (54) during the second half at Carter Finley Stadium. North Carolina beat North Carolina State 27-19. Mandatory Credit: Rob Kinnan-USA TODAY Sports

• RB Shadrach Thornton– For a time Thornton was slated to be Joker Phillips’ bell-cow back. He flipped commitments twice and ended up signing with North Carolina State. Thornton has led the Wolfpack in rushing in each of the last two seasons. He enters his junior year ready to carry the load again.

Nov 9, 2013; Bloomington, IN, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini tight end Jon Davis (3) runs after making a catch and is chased by Indiana Hoosiers linebacker Clyde Newton (41) during the second quarter at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Pat Lovell-USA TODAY Sports

• TE Jon Davis– Davis was committed to Kentucky for over a year before flipping to Illinois at the last moment. It was the beginning of a downward tumble for Joker Phillips and his staff. Davis saw the coach that he chose, Ron Zook, get fired as well. As a part of the Illini, Davis has played in nearly every game but through three years has totaled only 56 catches for 483 yards and four touchdowns.

Nov 30, 2012; Detroit, MI, USA; Kent State Golden Flashes running back Trayion Durham (34) runs the ball in the third quarter of the 2012 MAC Championship against the Northern Illinois Huskies at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

• FB Trayion Durham– When Kentucky was looking for a fullback Durham was high on the Cats but an offer either never came or was too late, he decided to sign with Kent State because of a scholarship offer and the opportunity to tote the rock. He supplied the thunder to Dri Archer’s lightning with success. As a sophomore Durham ran for 88 yards and a touchdown in a loss to UK.

Nov 15, 2013; Pasadena, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins wide receiver Devin Lucien (15) runs past Washington Huskies linebacker Princeton Fuimaono (37) during the game at the Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports

• WR Devin Lucien– Lucien was a longshot for the Cats but there was a chance before he chose UCLA. After redshirting his first year, Lucien has caught ten balls each of the last two seasons and has played special teams.

December 22, 2012; New Orleans, LA, USA; Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin Cajuns running back Alonzo Harris (46) runs past East Carolina Pirates defensive back Chip Thompson (1) for a touchdown during the second quarter of the New Orleans Bowl at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

• RB Alonzo Harris– A friend of former Wildcat Darryl Collins, Harris wanted to join him in Lexington. But the coaches were only interested in Harris as a fullback, so he chose the Ragin Cajuns for a chance to run the ball. He ran away with the starting job for the surprise and walked away with Sun Belt freshman of the Year.