Kentucky Wildcats Basketball Combine weekend big for recruits

Mandatory Credit: Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports

I think that as fans, we are all too guilty about worrying about the recruiting star ratings when it comes to football players. We have discussed many times on the WBN podcast that the star hierarchy is worlds apart for football and basketball. Rivals had Jojo Kemp rated as a three star player when he committed to Kentucky. As they do from time to time, they go back and revisit their rankings and they did so with Mr. Kemp. While they still agree with the three star ranking, I am OK with that. You are getting a solid player when you get a three star football player. I do think that the jury is still somewhat out on Kemp and he has a chance to write a better chapter for himself.

"Kemp was a three-star recruit in the Class of 2013, the No. 10 all-purpose running back nationally, the No. 78 recruit in Florida, but he was not ranked overall nationally. While it is obviously still early for the Class of 2013, a few of the players ranked ahead of Kemp nationally at his position have also made an early impact, mainly Dontre Wilson at Ohio State and T.J. Logan at North Carolina. It should be interesting to watch Kemp develop in Lexington as he shown that he has the potential to make a mark in the SEC. However, as Kentucky continues to recruit at a higher level, it should also be interesting to see if he is able to maintain his position as the top back in the offense. For now, his high 3-star ranking looks right, but with more than two years left in Kentucky, who knows what we’ll be saying by the time he leaves Lexington."

Mandatory Credit: Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports

He has not played as much as I thought he would this year, but Josh Clemons’ story is still an inspirational one with how he has battled back. And it is good to see him get some recognition. This comes from a UKAA press release.

"LEXINGTON, Ky. — Kentucky junior running back Josh Clemons has been tabbed the fourth weekly nominee for the 2014 Orange Bowl-Football Writers Association of America Courage Award, it was announced by the FWAA. Clemons, a native of Fayetteville, Ga., is the fourth weekly nominee for the 2014 Orange Bowl-FWAA Courage Award, which honors student-athletes displaying courage on or off the field, including overcoming an injury or physical handicap, preventing a disaster or living through hardship. Clemons made an emotional return to the field in 2014 after battling through major injuries to his knee and Achilles. A 5-foot-10, 223-pounder, Clemons was off to a strong start to his freshman season in 2011, leading the club in rushing before suffering a season-ending knee injury. After redshirting the entire 2012 season while rehabilitating the knee injury, Clemons was prepared for a return to the field in 2013. However, during 2013 fall camp, Clemons suffered a season-ending injury to his Achilles tendon. In Kentucky’s 2014 season-opening win over UT Martin, Clemons made his return to the field for the first time in over 1,000 days. He carried it two times for five yards, before rushing five times for 27 yards in UK’s win over Ohio the following week. In his career, Clemons has rushed 72 times for 311 yards and two touchdowns. Kentucky (4-1, 2-1 Southeastern Conference) will return to action on Saturday, hosting Louisiana-Monroe at Noon ET at Commonwealth Stadium. The game will be televised live on the SEC Network and will be broadcast live on the UK Radio Network. The Courage Award was first presented by the FWAA in 2002. A select group of writers from the FWAA vote on the winner each year. The winner of the award will be included in festivities during Orange Bowl week and receive his trophy at an on-field presentation. Previous winners of the FWAA’s Courage Award are San José State defensive lineman Anthony Larceval (2013), Clemson wide receiver Daniel Rodriguez (2012), Michigan State offensive lineman Arthur Ray Jr. (2011), Rutgers defensive tackle Eric LeGrand (2010), the University of Connecticut football team (2009), Tulsa’s Wilson Holloway (2008), Navy’s Zerbin Singleton (2007), Clemson’s Ray Ray McElrathbey (2006), the Tulane football team (2005), Memphis’ Haracio Colen (2004), San José State’s Neil Parry (2003) and Toledo’s William Bratton (2002)."