WildcatRick
08-27-2007, 01:44 PM
Time is running out. Hours of preparation have been spent in thankless obscurity. The day of reckoning is fast approaching. At this realization, emotions are equal parts exhilaration at the dawn of a new season and panic at the work yet to be completed. Rich Brooks and the Wildcats? Well, I guess they may be feeling that as well, but I was referring to my commitment to complete my position by position analysis prior to kickoff. With that in mind, I contemplated simply cutting and pasting the offensive line preview, switching out a few names, and seeing if anyone would notice. Ultimately, I decided against it, but the storylines in the trenches on both sides of the ball are strikingly similar. Some solid talent, very questionable depth.
With one noted exception, the star power on Kentucky’s defense emanates from the guys standing at the snap rather than those with a hand in the dirt. Preseason honors have been bestowed upon linebacker Wesley Woodyard, safety Marcus McClinton, and cornerback Trevard Lindley. While these players may be the subject of flowery prose from the preseason magazines, Kentucky’s ability to extract itself from the bottom tier of defenses nationally will depend on improvement from the big men up front. As with the offensive line, the Cats’ d-line does not have to be dominant. It simply needs to provide enough resistance to permit Kentucky’s talented back seven to make plays.
Left end:
Jeremy Jarmon 6-3, 268 So., Collierville, TN (Houston)
Jarmon became a big play force for the Cats down the stretch last year totaling 4 sacks and 6.5 tackles for a loss in his 30 total tackles. Also added four pass break ups, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. May be the rush end UK has lacked since Dennis Johnson’s senior season.
Austin Moss 6-0, 250 So., Hopkinsville, KY (Christian County)
Looking to stake a claim for the Moss’s as greatest walk-on family in UK history, Austin, brother of Ravi, has been moved from tackle to end to provide depth at an injury depleted position. Registered a sack in limited time last season.
Left tackle:
Corey Peters 6-3, 290 So., Louisville, KY (Central)
Forced into action last season as a true freshman, Peters came up with 18 tackles, including two for a loss and a sack against UT in Knoxville. Should be significantly improved after his first off-season program.
Ricky Lumpkin 6-4, 289 RS-Fr., Clarksville, TN (Kenwood)
Former “Mr. Football” from his classification in Clarksville, Tennessee, Lumpkin has, by all accounts, been a star on the practice field both during his redshirt season and in camp. Will likely be the third defensive tackle.
Ventrell Jenkins 6-2, 285 Jr., Columbia, SC (Columbia)
Cat fans received an early Christmas gift when it was announced last week that Jenkins would be able to play early this season, possibly even by game one, after it was initially thought he would miss much of the year with a shoulder injury. Jenkins has not shown the ability to be a star in his two years at UK, but he has provided a dependable reserve, which Kentucky desperately needs in the middle. Recorded 18 tackles and a sack in 2006.
http://blog.kentuckysportsradio.com/?p=3306
With one noted exception, the star power on Kentucky’s defense emanates from the guys standing at the snap rather than those with a hand in the dirt. Preseason honors have been bestowed upon linebacker Wesley Woodyard, safety Marcus McClinton, and cornerback Trevard Lindley. While these players may be the subject of flowery prose from the preseason magazines, Kentucky’s ability to extract itself from the bottom tier of defenses nationally will depend on improvement from the big men up front. As with the offensive line, the Cats’ d-line does not have to be dominant. It simply needs to provide enough resistance to permit Kentucky’s talented back seven to make plays.
Left end:
Jeremy Jarmon 6-3, 268 So., Collierville, TN (Houston)
Jarmon became a big play force for the Cats down the stretch last year totaling 4 sacks and 6.5 tackles for a loss in his 30 total tackles. Also added four pass break ups, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. May be the rush end UK has lacked since Dennis Johnson’s senior season.
Austin Moss 6-0, 250 So., Hopkinsville, KY (Christian County)
Looking to stake a claim for the Moss’s as greatest walk-on family in UK history, Austin, brother of Ravi, has been moved from tackle to end to provide depth at an injury depleted position. Registered a sack in limited time last season.
Left tackle:
Corey Peters 6-3, 290 So., Louisville, KY (Central)
Forced into action last season as a true freshman, Peters came up with 18 tackles, including two for a loss and a sack against UT in Knoxville. Should be significantly improved after his first off-season program.
Ricky Lumpkin 6-4, 289 RS-Fr., Clarksville, TN (Kenwood)
Former “Mr. Football” from his classification in Clarksville, Tennessee, Lumpkin has, by all accounts, been a star on the practice field both during his redshirt season and in camp. Will likely be the third defensive tackle.
Ventrell Jenkins 6-2, 285 Jr., Columbia, SC (Columbia)
Cat fans received an early Christmas gift when it was announced last week that Jenkins would be able to play early this season, possibly even by game one, after it was initially thought he would miss much of the year with a shoulder injury. Jenkins has not shown the ability to be a star in his two years at UK, but he has provided a dependable reserve, which Kentucky desperately needs in the middle. Recorded 18 tackles and a sack in 2006.
http://blog.kentuckysportsradio.com/?p=3306
