I Forgot About Matt Lentz Coming In This Season

[baldcat]

Is a RS for him a forgone conclusion?

[boomdaddy]

According to Rich Brooks, in a radio interview, he stated that Lentz would get a hard look this fall. I would translate that to mean that if he is good enough to nab the #2 spot he will not redshirt. If he doesn't show the other two guys up, then I guess he sits out.

[jwade]

I think it's a very good bet he redshirts. First, it's tough for a QB to come in and learn a system in only a month, and be better than the guys who've been in the program for a year (or in Fidler's case, a year plus an extra spring). Second, we need some spacing in that class.


Jim

[Diz]

Interestingly, I've noticed that the posts this summer do not focus on how much help we can expect to see from the incoming freshman class. That is a healthy sign. Even the depth charts don't speculate on whether the freshmen can start in the offensive line. Surely, Kentucky has started more freshman offensive lineman over the past 6 years than any other D1 team. This year any freshman contribution will be a please surprise.

Lentz is obviously a great steal from the ACC and SC. He will be relaxed and impressive. Actually, most of the freshmen should be relaxed and healthy.

That said, I look for Hines to be temptation to coach Brooks. He could be a big help.

[Trueblujr]

With Pulley returning, and supposedly redshirting himself, I think it's safe to say that if Woodson goes down sometime in the first half of the season Pulleys redshirt would be yanked...just my assumption, but I hope Lentz comes in and proves to be solid enough to step into the number 2 role so that Pulleys redshirt doesn't have to be burned.

I still wish Pulley would have stayed at Wide Reciever, had he done that we would have one of the best recieving corps in the nation. He could have easily stepped into the role Burton will be vacating after this season.

[gerntz]

With Pulley returning, and supposedly redshirting himself, I think it's safe to say that if Woodson goes down sometime in the first half of the season Pulleys redshirt would be yanked...just my assumption, but I hope Lentz comes in and proves to be solid enough to step into the number 2 role so that Pulleys redshirt doesn't have to be burned.

I still wish Pulley would have stayed at Wide Reciever, had he done that we would have one of the best recieving corps in the nation. He could have easily stepped into the role Burton will be vacating after this season.

I don't believe CP is RSing this year but is academically ineligible such that there's no way he can play this Fall. I say this b/c I doubt he'd have the credits to be JR academically given he didn't get any credits in the Spring semester to my knowledge due to dropping out. Anyone know different?

You don't sound very confident in Hartline's or Fidler's abilities. Me, I haven't seen either practice but from reading the reports Hartline has a good arm but is a durability risk due to his thin build.

[jwade]

With Pulley returning, and supposedly redshirting himself, I think it's safe to say that if Woodson goes down sometime in the first half of the season Pulleys redshirt would be yanked...just my assumption, but I hope Lentz comes in and proves to be solid enough to step into the number 2 role so that Pulleys redshirt doesn't have to be burned.

I still wish Pulley would have stayed at Wide Reciever, had he done that we would have one of the best recieving corps in the nation. He could have easily stepped into the role Burton will be vacating after this season.

Like gerntz, I'm unclear why you seemingly dismiss Hartline (and Fidler, for that matter) in favor of Lentz. Both, and Hartline in particular, have the potential to be very good QB's. Both practiced with the team last fall during their redshirt seasons. Hartline has been through spring drills once, Fidler twice. For Lentz to come in and surpass those guys, as a true freshman, in only 4-6 weeks will be a huge task and I don't see it happening. Odds are he redshirts.

Next spring's QB battle will be the most watched competition, especially if Pulley returns and wants to compete for the position. It's a mistake to think the job is Pulley's to lose. All four candidates will get equal looks.


Jim

[gerntz]

Like gerntz, I'm unclear why you seemingly dismiss Hartline (and Fidler, for that matter) in favor of Lentz. Both, and Hartline in particular, have the potential to be very good QB's. Both practiced with the team last fall during their redshirt seasons. Hartline has been through spring drills once, Fidler twice. For Lentz to come in and surpass those guys, as a true freshman, in only 4-6 weeks will be a huge task and I don't see it happening. Odds are he redshirts.

Next spring's QB battle will be the most watched competition, especially if Pulley returns and wants to compete for the position. It's a mistake to think the job is Pulley's to lose. All four candidates will get equal looks.


Jim

I actually think that the loser of the Fidler/Hartline battle, if they don't see any/minimal playing time this year, will transfer out in face of the other 3 candidates, particular if they see Lentz looking good in practices this Fall. JMO.

[jwade]

I actually think that the loser of the Fidler/Hartline battle, if they don't see any/minimal playing time this year, will transfer out in face of the other 3 candidates, particular if they see Lentz looking good in practices this Fall. JMO.

That thought had crossed my mind as well. As Coach Mumme said, "quarterbacks are born to transfer."


Jim

[Caveman Catfan]

Regardless of the reasons, Pulley is redshirting this year and, if eligible and still with the Cats, will have two years to play after this season.

[johnkyblue]

Why do they have to transfer? I've seen a team start it's 5th choice at QB.

[DCWildcat]

Why do they have to transfer? I've seen a team start it's 5th choice at QB.

That doesn't happen very often. And that's why they're born to transfer. Can't ignore the rule for the incredibly rare exception.

[johnkyblue]

That 'rule' is not a very smart one. I want more Woodson's, not fewer.

[jwade]

"Why do they have to transfer? I've seen a team start it's 5th choice at QB."

and

"That 'rule' is not a very smart one. I want more Woodson's, not fewer."
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

With respect to Woodson, let the record show:
2003: Freshman. Third string. Redshirted.
2004: RS Freshman. Second string. Played in 7 games, starting 1.
2005: Sophomore. First string. Started all 11 games.
2006: Junior. First string. Started all 13 games.
2007: Senior. Incumbent first string.In choosing an example to illustrate your hypothetical benchwarmer-who-becomes-a-starter, it is hard to imagine a worse choice than Woodson. He was never buried on the depth chart, nor had a reason to transfer in order to get more playing time.


Jim

[johnkyblue]

You were taking my example way too narrowly.

[RCS]

Next Spring should tell the tale, at least as far as who is the odd man out(3rd string) and I imagine if it is Hartline or Fiddler, they will transfer, especially Hartline who is not from KY. It will be interesting. UK has been blessed with home grown talent at QB the last decade. Couch, Lorenzen, Boyd(not as much success, but still a starter) and now Woodson. Hard to believe considering our status as an also ran during much of that time. I hope our next QB can have that kind of success also.

[poodoo]

Next Spring should tell the tale, at least as far as who is the odd man out(3rd string) and I imagine if it is Hartline or Fiddler, they will transfer, especially Hartline who is not from KY. It will be interesting. UK has been blessed with home grown talent at QB the last decade. Couch, Lorenzen, Boyd(not as much success, but still a starter) and now Woodson. Hard to believe considering our status as an also ran during much of that time. I hope our next QB can have that kind of success also.

Good post, RCS. We have indeed been blessed with talent from within the state when you look at that list of names: Couch, Lorenzen, Boyd, and Woodson. Hopefully Fiddler is added to that list. Also, in regard to Boyd, not only was he a UK starter, but also he is STILL with the NFL.

When I think about the Brohm brothers' having also grown up in Kentucky, the relatively recent talent level at that particular position is simply amazing. Too, Michael Bush COULD have played at quarterback at Louisville (and had expected to do so). Then there's the Highlands guy who went to Cincinatti (Groza, or am I off with that name?) and has performed quite well. I'm sure there are more you guys can add to that list.

Again, I think the talent level at the position within this relatively small state has been amazing, and the University of Kentucky football program has seemingly been the main benefactor, fortunately. GO CATS!!!

[RV]

Good post, RCS. We have indeed been blessed with talent from within the state when you look at that list of names: Couch, Lorenzen, Boyd, and Woodson. Hopefully Fiddler is added to that list. Also, in regard to Boyd, not only was he a UK starter, but also he is STILL with the NFL.

When I think about the Brohm brothers' having also grown up in Kentucky, the relatively recent talent level at that particular position is simply amazing. Too, Michael Bush COULD have played at quarterback at Louisville (and had expected to do so). Then there's the Highlands guy who went to Cincinatti (Groza, or am I off with that name?) and has performed quite well. I'm sure there are more you guys can add to that list.

Again, I think the talent level at the position within this relatively small state has been amazing, and the University of Kentucky football program has seemingly been the main benefactor, fortunately. GO CATS!!!

Dustin Grutza played at Mason County. :thumbup:

[Trueblujr]

You don't sound very confident in Hartline's or Fidler's abilities. Me, I haven't seen either practice but from reading the reports Hartline has a good arm but is a durability risk due to his thin build.

In no way did i intend to dismiss Harline or Fidler in my post, this thread was started in regards to Matt Lentz, so I directed my comment about Lentz in that direction, I could make the very same comment for Hartline or Fidler as well, But I think the coaches at this point would be more confident in Pulley if he is even eligible or able to play and there is still a significant amount of season left.

As of now, neither Hartline or Fidler have stepped to the forefront and Lentz is obviously unproven. I would really love to see ANY one of those three have an Andre Woodson like coming of age and just light things up. I really hope the summer workouts gets us settled into a solid QB arrangement and that we put some of the early teams on our schedule away early enough that the number 2 guy gets plenty of reps. I don't want to see Woodson taking hits and risking injury when we have a 48-17 lead over somebody like EKU, Kent or Florida Atlantic. I hope Woodson is done by mid 3rd quarter in those games.

[Sam K.]

Then there's the Highlands guy who went to Cincinatti (Groza, or am I off with that name?) and has performed quite well.


Poodoo, if you're talking about the Highlands guy, that would be Gino Guidugli. (sp?)

[Sam K.]

If Hartline doesn't pan out at qb, don't write him off. Perhaps he could be our tall wide receiver. He did run track in high school. FWIW, Mike's brother may very well start at WR for the Buckeyes this year upon the departure of Ginn and Gonzales to the NFL.

[poodoo]

Then there's the Highlands guy who went to Cincinatti (Groza, or am I off with that name?) and has performed quite well.


Poodoo, if you're talking about the Highlands guy, that would be Gino Guidugli. (sp?)

Thanks so much, Sam. I had thought I might be "off" with the name (as I said in my post). Yes, that's definitely it. Too, I had kept thinking that the young man's name started with a "G." :icon_smile:

By the way, too, wasn't Keenan Burton originally a quarterback (although I don't believe he was seriously considered for the position at Kentucky)? What a talent he was AND is, though! GO CATS!!!

[The Old School JPS]

Here are some more Kentucky products who are, were or probably will be solid Division I college QBs.

Deontey Kenner out of Hopkinsville was the all time career total offense leader after a career at QB at the University of Cincinnati when he graduated in, what was it, 2000 or 2001?

Gino Guidugli out of Fort Thomas Highlands replaced Kenner as UC's QB and graduated after breaking a slew of passing records there.

Dustin Grutza out of Kentucky is now Cincinnati's starting QB. He has been a full time starter since he arrived on campus at UC and is the first freshman to ever start his first game at QB there.

Louisville obviously has had a great run of home-grown quarterbacks starting with Chris Redman (Male) who ended up in the NFL for a while, and now Brian Brohm (Trinity) who most expect to be a first round draft choice, and Brohm's able backup and next year's likely starter Hunter Cantwell. As noted above NFL running back Michael Bush arrived at U of L as a QB and sought to continue in the position there; he might have if Brohm had gone elsewhere.

UK has had a great run of in-state quarterbacks like Tim Couch, Jared Lorenzen, Shane Boyd and Andre Woodson. Couch had an NFL career cut short by injury, Lorenzen and Boyd are on NFL rosters and Woodson is expected to be on one soon. Home-grown Will Fidler is in the on-deck circle. Curtis Pulley also played QB at UK, though he is now at WR.

Blake Powers out of Meade County was the starting QB at Indiana, though he is now their starting TE.

Chris Todd out of E-town was the backup QB at Texas Tech before transferring.

Jacob Doss from Lexington Catholic is the second string QB entering this season at Wyoming. Doss started some games last season and may emerge again as a starter this year.

Justin Burke of Lexington Catholic, a redshirt freshman, is challenging incumbent starter Daniel Evans for the starting QB spot at North Carolina state. A transfer from Nebraska is also in the mix.

Salin Simpson is a redshirt freshman QB at Middle Tennessee and is originally from Henry Clay.

Brian Anderson from Male is a redshirt freshman QB at Marshall who is battling for the #2 spot behind a senior QB.

I don't know if QB Drew Ellison from Covington Catholic is still on the team at Air Force.

And as poodoo mentioned, Keenan Burton was a QB in high school, though I don't think he really intended to play that position at UK. I think at Manual he was the best guy for the QB position. Had he played WR in high school he might have been able to get a scholarship anywhere in the nation.

Poodoo, thanks for turning me on to this thread. I enjoy this stuff.

[gerntz]

On anotehr site, a guy stated he talked with Randy Sanders yesterday. Claims Sanders says Hartline is looikng quite good and is a "legit backup".

[bleedbluelady]

On anotehr site, a guy stated he talked with Randy Sanders yesterday. Claims Sanders says Hartline is looikng quite good and is a "legit backup".

I'll find out if that is true at the Ladies' Football Clinic. :p;)

[wildcatdon]

I was at the spring game and hartline looked very good..there were some articles that followed that indicated hartline would be the backup this season if everything progressed as it has been..you had to do a little reading between the lines..I was very impressed with him..

[poodoo]

You are most welcome, JPS. :) Too, thank YOU so much for all the excellent work. :)

I had remembered that there were certainly others, and you covered that SO well. Also, I honestly think it's rather amazing that the state of Kentucky has had so many fine quarterbacks in a relatively short period of time, some of which have been truly outstanding.