WildcatRick
07-28-2007, 03:42 PM
by Rob Gidel
1) In yesterday's post, I talked about the changes the NCAA instituted in regards to prep schools, which Rich Brooks outlined at SEC Media Days. In short, a student who graduates from high school and does not have a qualifying GPA, may re-take only one class in order to improve it's GPA a significant enough amount to enroll. It's interesting to note that the Wildcat coaching staff may be ahead of there time in the idea of grayshirting, as it's my belief that the rest of the SEC will utilize the grayshirt in order to give enrolling freshmen that aren't eligible more time to get a favorable test score in the sliding scale, as opposed to in the past shipping them off to prep school to improve there GPA. For example, instead of putting a kid in Hargrave, they may just have him sit out a semester and try to have him enroll in January, using the semester off to take SAT/ACT prep classes in an attempt to increase the player's test score instead of worrying about his GPA and enrolling him at the nearest prep school.
2) In the UK football media guide, which is available for download at UKathletics.com (http://www.ukathletics.com/), true sophomore Sam Maxwell is listed ahead of last year's starting strong side linebacker Johnny Williams on the depth chart. The idea that Maxwell leap-frogged the incumbent starter is not necessarily far-fetched, as Maxwell has shown some flashes of brilliance since he moved over from weak side 'backer a year ago. Coaches praised his athletic ability and believe him to be faster than Williams to the ball. All that aside, Williams has more experience and he's played next to Woodyard and Kelley in the past, developing a decent enough rapport to believe a move of this nature may be a little premature. It bears mentioning that in years past the current coaching staff has used releasing depth charts as a way to motivate individual players. Perhaps this was a way to send a message to the Florida native. Yet another benefit to playing the game third, making Williams sit for two games and watch from the sidelines.
3) I have gotten a significant amount of emails in regards to the Wildcats not offering some of the in-state kids before other schools have. Most notably among the core group of recruits is D.L. Wilhite, who sports an offer from West Virginia, Winston Guy, who is nearly about to accept his offer from Arkansas, and Sam Robey, who landed an offer from local Louisville before the Kentucky extended the invitation at their summer camp. Although it's easy to nit-pick, I can see where the staff is coming from when it comes to the in-state products this season. UK has 8 home games, in which they'll be giving away free tickets to in-state kids for unofficial visits. That's essentially 8 opportunities to show-off to every in-state kid that makes the trek to Lexington. You'd be insane to think Guy, Brandon Newman, John Cole and Wilhite won't be attending, considering they are within driving distance to Lexington. With the chance to take in SEC battles for free, while being gushed over in the process, it's highly unlikely that UK won't be given a fair shot to gain there attention. Newman will head to LexVegas to see his best friend Corey Peters play against Florida. Guy and Wilhite are steps from Commonwealth living in Lexington, and the best of the rest will find a way to get to UK at some point during a week they don't have official visits to take or games to attend. Look no further than Vic Anderson last year as an example of a program's perseverance. UofL hosted Vic for more than half of its home games and practices throughout the year, despite his commitment to WVU. In the end, Vic signed with Louisville. It's a marathon, not a sprint.
http://blog.kentuckysportsradio.com/?p=3062
1) In yesterday's post, I talked about the changes the NCAA instituted in regards to prep schools, which Rich Brooks outlined at SEC Media Days. In short, a student who graduates from high school and does not have a qualifying GPA, may re-take only one class in order to improve it's GPA a significant enough amount to enroll. It's interesting to note that the Wildcat coaching staff may be ahead of there time in the idea of grayshirting, as it's my belief that the rest of the SEC will utilize the grayshirt in order to give enrolling freshmen that aren't eligible more time to get a favorable test score in the sliding scale, as opposed to in the past shipping them off to prep school to improve there GPA. For example, instead of putting a kid in Hargrave, they may just have him sit out a semester and try to have him enroll in January, using the semester off to take SAT/ACT prep classes in an attempt to increase the player's test score instead of worrying about his GPA and enrolling him at the nearest prep school.
2) In the UK football media guide, which is available for download at UKathletics.com (http://www.ukathletics.com/), true sophomore Sam Maxwell is listed ahead of last year's starting strong side linebacker Johnny Williams on the depth chart. The idea that Maxwell leap-frogged the incumbent starter is not necessarily far-fetched, as Maxwell has shown some flashes of brilliance since he moved over from weak side 'backer a year ago. Coaches praised his athletic ability and believe him to be faster than Williams to the ball. All that aside, Williams has more experience and he's played next to Woodyard and Kelley in the past, developing a decent enough rapport to believe a move of this nature may be a little premature. It bears mentioning that in years past the current coaching staff has used releasing depth charts as a way to motivate individual players. Perhaps this was a way to send a message to the Florida native. Yet another benefit to playing the game third, making Williams sit for two games and watch from the sidelines.
3) I have gotten a significant amount of emails in regards to the Wildcats not offering some of the in-state kids before other schools have. Most notably among the core group of recruits is D.L. Wilhite, who sports an offer from West Virginia, Winston Guy, who is nearly about to accept his offer from Arkansas, and Sam Robey, who landed an offer from local Louisville before the Kentucky extended the invitation at their summer camp. Although it's easy to nit-pick, I can see where the staff is coming from when it comes to the in-state products this season. UK has 8 home games, in which they'll be giving away free tickets to in-state kids for unofficial visits. That's essentially 8 opportunities to show-off to every in-state kid that makes the trek to Lexington. You'd be insane to think Guy, Brandon Newman, John Cole and Wilhite won't be attending, considering they are within driving distance to Lexington. With the chance to take in SEC battles for free, while being gushed over in the process, it's highly unlikely that UK won't be given a fair shot to gain there attention. Newman will head to LexVegas to see his best friend Corey Peters play against Florida. Guy and Wilhite are steps from Commonwealth living in Lexington, and the best of the rest will find a way to get to UK at some point during a week they don't have official visits to take or games to attend. Look no further than Vic Anderson last year as an example of a program's perseverance. UofL hosted Vic for more than half of its home games and practices throughout the year, despite his commitment to WVU. In the end, Vic signed with Louisville. It's a marathon, not a sprint.
http://blog.kentuckysportsradio.com/?p=3062