Young football Cats untested but promising

[ukfaninva]

REDSHIRT LUMPKIN LEADS MANY CONTENDERS
By Chip Cosby
HERALD-LEADER STAFF WRITER
As the Kentucky football players and coaches conducted interviews throughout the season, one name kept popping up: Ricky Lumpkin.

It wasn't because of anything Lumpkin was doing in games: The 6-foot-4, 289-pound defensive end redshirted last fall.

But once Lumpkin recovered from summer hip surgery that kept him out of practice until two weeks before the season started, the buzz started:

This Ricky Lumpkin kid is a player.

Now before Lumpkin is anointed as the next big thing, take the following precaution: We've all seen the spring and pre-season phenoms that dominate the practice fields yet don't do squat once the lights come on.

UK defensive coordinator Steve Brown saw enough in Lumpkin last fall, however, to have him penciled in as a backup defensive tackle behind junior Myron Pryor and sophomore Corey Peters going into spring.

"There are certain things that he exhibited in a short time," Brown said. "He's a guy I'm curious about. He showed some burst. He's still a pup, and he's not going to come in and be Warren Sapp, but he's shown enough to where you've got to say, 'OK, we've got to put him in the mix.'"

http://www.kentucky.com/295/story/26331.html

[Caveman Catfan]

Thanks for the link and thanks to Chip Cosby for getting us some news about the football Cats!

[BOURBON TOWN CAT FAN]

http://www.kentucky.com/295/story/26331.html

I can't wait to see Lumpkin and Minton on the "D" next year !!

As the Kentucky football players and coaches conducted interviews throughout the season, one name kept popping up: Ricky Lumpkin.

It wasn't because of anything Lumpkin was doing in games: The 6-foot-4, 289-pound defensive end redshirted last fall.

But once Lumpkin recovered from summer hip surgery that kept him out of practice until two weeks before the season started, the buzz started:

This Ricky Lumpkin kid is a player.

Now before Lumpkin is anointed as the next big thing, take the following precaution: We've all seen the spring and pre-season phenoms that dominate the practice fields yet don't do squat once the lights come on.

UK defensive coordinator Steve Brown saw enough in Lumpkin last fall, however, to have him penciled in as a backup defensive tackle behind junior Myron Pryor and sophomore Corey Peters going into spring.

"There are certain things that he exhibited in a short time," Brown said. "He's a guy I'm curious about. He showed some burst. He's still a pup, and he's not going to come in and be Warren Sapp, but he's shown enough to where you've got to say, 'OK, we've got to put him in the mix.'"

Lumpkin had to shake off some rust once he started practicing last fall, but it didn't take him long to get in a groove.

"We were doing pass rush one day, and it just seemed like everything clicked and I finally learned my moves," he said. "I was actually beating players, and I said to myself, 'I can get used to this.'"......



Here are some other Wildcats that either redshirted or played sparingly last season who could play larger roles in 2007:

T.C. Drake, tight end, sophomore: Drake is currently the front-runner to back up senior Jacob Tamme going into spring. Drake's playing time rose as the season progressed last fall, and the true freshman started the Louisiana-Monroe game. At 6-foot-6 he could give the UK offense an intriguing target if he continues to develop his pass-catching skills.

Josh Minton, defensive end, redshirt freshman: Minton spent his redshirt year getting bigger and stronger and should compete for time in the defensive end rotation.

Mikhail Mabry, middle linebacker, redshirt sophomore: With the status of sophomore Micah Johnson in doubt as he recovers from hernia surgery and takes care of some academic issues, Mabry starts the spring No. 2 behind Braxton Kelley at middle linebacker.

Ahmad Grigsby Jr., cornerback, junior: Grigsby's first year at UK was wiped out by a wrist injury. Now healthy, he'll be one of several contenders fighting for the open cornerback spot opposite sophomore Trevard Lindley.

[poodoo]

Thanks for the link, BOURBON TOWN. Too, today I had needed to read something positive and promising about UK football. :)Thanks again. :)

[poodoo]

Caveman Catfan wrote: Thanks for the link and thanks to Chip Cosby for getting us some news about the football Cats!
Well, while I've already thanked unfaniva for providing other links, I read this particular article in another thread and don't need to thank him for THIS link. :lol:However, I am responding, though, because I, too, want to thank Chip Cosby "for getting us some news about the football Cats." :DToo, just as a reminder, we're only ONE DAY AWAY from spring practice, folks! :D