Juco Linemen

[Caveman Catfan]

On offense, the only thing that is holding the Cats back from being a top flight machine is the O-line, IMO. Weapons such as Little, Dixon, Woodson, Pulley, Burton, Tamme, Lyons and others are not given the opportunities, because the O-line cannot adequate defend Woodson against good defenses.

If next year is going to look different than this year, we need help on the O-line that has a chance to come in and start. I know that Juco lineman are a crap shoot, but is the staff recruiting any Jucos to come in and compete on the O-line?

[BOURBON TOWN CAT FAN]

Fatu Turituri was a nice pick up from the juco ranks. Here's the top juco prospects for this year, there are quite a few DB's but not to many linemen.

http://rivals100.rivals.com/viewrank.asp?SID=880&Year=2007&ra_key=1664

[Coldstream]

BOURBON TOWN CAT FAN wrote: Fatu Turituri was a nice pick up from the juco ranks. Here's the top juco prospects for this year, there are quite a few DB's but not to many linemen.

http://rivals100.rivals.com/viewrank.asp?SID=880&Year=2007&ra_key=1664

Uuhh, I didn't like what I saw of Fatu last Saturday, he was getting his butt kicked by a lighter D-lineman (-50lbs on him). Leger is replacing him this week.

[Coldstream]

By the way, if we hadn't lost Aaron Miller, Micah Jones, Zach Hennis and Jorge Gonzalez, we probably would be fine as we were 3 deep at each position. We're now 2 deep and having to pull Leger over from the D who is still outplaying Fatu.

[poodoo]

In defense of Fatu, Coach Brooks says he is really suffering from tendonitis. I feel sure that is affecting his play.

I'm keeping my fingers crossed on Bowling Green's Stuart Hines, too, although I realize that the offensive line is a hard position for true freshmen to play (yet, Aaron Miller was an exception to that rule, for sure). Also, we are not out of the picture with Chase Dumphord, although Auburn and Louisville are strong in that picture. I know talented junior college players are needed even more there, but those are two young high schoolers I would also love to get, along with Billy Joe Murphy, who has already committed to UK.

Personally, if I were an offensive lineman in junior college or at the high school level, I would be looking at our skilled playersand the fact that we lose seven out of the top ten offensive linemen on our depth chart right now AND be salivating at the opportunity to come to UK next season. Then again, I'm not. :ggrin:


P.S. The depth chart I had quoted was the September 16th Cats' Pause depth chart. In yesterday's updated depth chart in the Cats' Pausewe have five returning offensive linemen listed in the two-deep rotation, instead of three (and that does not count Jason Leger, who has just been moved to the offensive line). Regardless, they are young and mostly inexperienced, so there is still an opportunity for talented offensive linemen, especially those from the junior college ranks, to PLAY SOON on UK's offensive line. :)

[Sam K.]

Caveman, I was pretty much thinking the same thing this afternoon. Improve the o-line a couple of notches and our odds of winning improve dramatically.

Also, look at our line this Sat. night and for all practical purposes we may be starting 5 guards.

[RV]

It's my understanding that Michael Cross (6-6 310 Garden City CC) has re-committed to the Cats. Not sure if he'll have 2 or 3 years remaining to play.

[RedandBlackATTACK]

Of all the positions to come in and play and play well as a true freshman; the down oline spots would have to be one if not the toughest. The jump from high school to D1 ball; just not size but agility, quickness, strength,blocking schemes etc, just has to be a huge hurdle. The vast majority of these kids need a year or more and it's not a knock on them, but it's just the way it is.

Although on the "D" side take a look at the kid over at UL. "Peanut" Whitehead, the kid was All World. Looking at the kid, he does possess a mans physique but has no where near the pure strength to match. Yes, the kid has made some plays, but I have also watched himget absolutely pancaked by smaller - stronger- more experienced players. Now as I said this kid could have gone anywhere, but as you watch him many times he is just "lost", out of position, slow off the snap etc. No doubt he may someday be a player but IMHO he could have used a year on the sidelines just learning and getting stronger. These guys want to play early and my guess is that Petrino told him he would.

Rick

C-Bus