Most Versatile Wildcat: Lynn Bowden Jr. v. Randall Cobb
By Luke Bennett
It is no question Lynn Bowden Jr. has solidified himself as one of the program’s most versatile players ever, knocking on the heels of one of Kentucky’s all-time greats, Randall Cobb. So, let’s crunch the numbers and see who was the more versatile player during their time as a Wildcat.
In his junior season, Lynn Bowden Jr. has done it all. He is the Cats leading receiver, rusher, and punt/kickoff returner. The wide-receiver turned quarterback posted rushing numbers among the best in the country and singlehandedly pumped life into an otherwise decrepit season for the Wildcats, all on the way to becoming a top-caliber NFL prospect.
What Bowden has done is incredible, if not bordering on the supernatural. He is simply an anomaly. A freak of nature.
Despite otherworldly success (at a position he was haphazardly thrown into midway along a grueling SEC gauntlet), somehow Kentucky fans are able to bring a confident amount of levity to his transcendent season.
Pretty unusual for a Kentucky fan to say, “Been there, done that.”, eh?
However great Bowden has been for the Wildcats in 2019, Cat fans find his unique success comparable to years past, specifically the Randall Cobb era. It’s hard to forget Randall Cobb. Two-star recruit out of high school, NCAA all-purpose yards leader, “wild-Cobb” specialist, Kentucky Legend, and NFL great. Randall Cobb is easily the most recognizable football player to ever come from the Big Blue Nation.
Other than being freak athletes and positionless players, these two share striking similarities. Cobb and Bowden were present for eras of particular success for Kentucky, both players seeing postseason play in EVERY season as a Wildcat. Furthermore, Bowden and Cobb both tapped their potential early. As juniors, both players declared for a chance in the promised land, the NFL draft. Finally, both Bowden and Cobb were recruited – and most skilled – as wide receivers before taking on other duties.
We will take a look at Bowden and Cobb’s career and season-best totals in rushing, passing, receiving, and kick/punt return categories. It’s time to take a deep-dive and crunch the numbers to find out: who is Kentucky’s most versatile player of all-time?