Who are the sleeping giants?

[RV]

http://www.collegefootballnews.com/2006/TQ/Tuesday_Question.htm (http://www.collegefootballnews.com/2006/TQ/Tuesday_Question.htm)



Tuesday Question
Who are the sleeping giants?

Pete Fiutak (mailto:petef@collegefootballnews.com) [/b]

# 3. Kentucky - For all the problems at the end of his reign, Hal Mumme started to put UK football on the map. Guy Morriss appeared to be close to making something happen before he left for Baylor. If Louisville can be a national title caliber program, then it's possible to win in Lexington.





FWIW I think this sleeping giant is getting restless and about to flex it's muscles.

[heatwave13]

Sounds good to me. I'm ready for this thing to get started.

[GoBgBlu37]

Sleeping giant, hmmm seemslike that isalittle far fetched to me. Granted we have some of the elements needed to become one (facilities and fan support) buta giant would be challenging for conference championships and BCS bowls. Even if we have a good year and reach a bowl game, I think we are several great recruiting classes from moving up in the SEC, much less heading to Atlanta. Just think about it, year in and year out the big 3 in the East have top 10 recruiting classes, as far as I know we have never had a top 20 class. But hopefully this year will be the starting point of that dream. GO BIG BLUE!!!:cool::wildcatface

[jwade]

"The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step." Lao-tzu, ca. 600 BC

Yes, we have a ways to go before we can legitimately challenge the Big 3 in the SEC East year-in, year-out. But, you have to start somewhere and we have begun that journey. It will take time, and fans must be patient and lookto the long-term. Some older fans might be tempted to say "but we've been patient and it hasn't gotten us anywhere" and they'd be absolutely correct. But that doesn't mean their patience was misplaced.

The success of any organization begins at the top, andour problem for the past 50 or so years has been an attitude of benign neglect on the part of the AD's office with respect to the football program. That attitude has changed and continues to change so that football will be a centerpiece ofthe athletics department. As football becomes more of a focus and a priority within UKAA, its success will increase incrementally.

Football will never supplant basketball as the premier sport at UK, nor is it intended to, but it can takea rightfulplace alongside basketball and that's what this administration is trying to do. This isn't a quick or easy process. It takes time to reversea culture of failure and negativity that's been ingrained for so long. But it can be done and it will be done.

Be patient, be positive, be proud.

Jim (feelin' philosophical this morning)

[Wildcat97]

jwade wrote: "The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step." Lao-tzu, ca. 600 BC

Yes, we have a ways to go before we can legitimately challenge the Big 3 in the SEC East year-in, year-out. But, you have to start somewhere and we have begun that journey. It will take time, and fans must be patient and lookto the long-term. Some older fans might be tempted to say "but we've been patient and it hasn't gotten us anywhere" and they'd be absolutely correct. But that doesn't mean their patience was misplaced.

The success of any organization begins at the top, andour problem for the past 50 or so years has been an attitude of benign neglect on the part of the AD's office with respect to the football program. That attitude has changed and continues to change so that football will be a centerpiece ofthe athletics department. As football becomes more of a focus and a priority within UKAA, its success will increase incrementally.

Football will never supplant basketball as the premier sport at UK, nor is it intended to, but it can takea rightfulplace alongside basketball and that's what this administration is trying to do. This isn't a quick or easy process. It takes time to reversea culture of failure and negativity that's been ingrained for so long. But it can be done and it will be done.

Be patient, be positive, be proud.

Jim (feelin' philosophical this morning)


Best post I've read in a long time regarding this subject. Nice work!!

97

[EricBigNally]

If that is the case, then I have two words for the football team: WAKE UP!!!

[jpay]

EricBigNally wrote: If that is the case, then I have two words for the football team: WAKE UP!!!
Quite telling for a sleeping giant. I am PUMPED. Geez I can't wait for the Louisville game!!! Hell I can't wait for fall practice.

[Yuleofell]

Kentucky, the state, does't produce enough quality D1 football players for either Uk or UL to compete against the top of the SEC on a consistent yearly basis. Kentucky produces a few exceptional players each year, but the bulk of our teams must be made of players from out of state.

Without the home grown talent UK would have to steal top recruits from other SEC schools back yards.

Consider yourself a high school senior living in Alabama. Now, name 3 good (and honest) reasons to attend UK over Alabama or Auburn.

[poodoo]

jwade wrote: "The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step." Lao-tzu, ca. 600 BC



Football will never supplant basketball as the premier sport at UK, nor is it intended to, but it can takea rightfulplace alongside basketball and that's what this administration is trying to do. This isn't a quick or easy process. It takes time to reversea culture of failure and negativity that's been ingrained for so long. But it can be done and it will be done.

Be patient, be positive, be proud.

Jim (feelin' philosophical this morning).


:thumbup:thumbupFeel "philosophical" more often, Jim. I LOVE it! FANTASTIC post!

I'm inspired. :)As a UK fan, I said that I ampatient, positive, and proud. It CAN BE DONE at UK! :)

Too, thanks for sharing, RV. I love UK's being called a "sleeping giant" by the writer.

[Art Vandelay]

Yuleofell wrote: Kentucky, the state, does't produce enough quality D1 football players for either Uk or UL to compete against the top of the SEC on a consistent yearly basis. Kentucky produces a few exceptional players each year, but the bulk of our teams must be made of players from out of state.

Without the home grown talent UK would have to steal top recruits from other SEC schools back yards.

Consider yourself a high school senior living in Alabama. Now, name 3 good (and honest) reasons to attend UK over Alabama or Auburn.


The talent pool gets deeper every year. Kentucky has more than held its own the last several years in the Kentucky-Tennessee all star match up, for example. Morever, our in-state talent situatin is certainly comparable to schools like Nebraska, Virginia Tech, and West Virginina and they have all been national powers to varying degrees. All three have had legitimate shots at national titles in years past.

Given the right dymamics, I believe Kentucky can be very competitive in the SEC.

[UedK]

Buck Naked wrote: Yuleofell wrote: Kentucky, the state, does't produce enough quality D1 football players for either Uk or UL to compete against the top of the SEC on a consistent yearly basis. Kentucky produces a few exceptional players each year, but the bulk of our teams must be made of players from out of state.

Without the home grown talent UK would have to steal top recruits from other SEC schools back yards.

Consider yourself a high school senior living in Alabama. Now, name 3 good (and honest) reasons to attend UK over Alabama or Auburn.


The talent pool gets deeper every year. Kentucky has more than held its own the last several years in the Kentucky-Tennessee all star match up, for example. Morever, our in-state talent situatin is certainly comparable to schools like Nebraska, Virginia Tech, and West Virginina and they have all been national powers to varying degrees. All three have had legitimate shots at national titles in years past.

Given the right dymamics, I believe Kentucky can be very competitive in the SEC.



If we held on to ever Kentucky player that we recruited and offered a scholorship to there is no doubt that we would be a better team, probably much more competitive in the SEC. If we filled out roster since 2003 with every KY kid we offerd we would have 66 on the roster. Here is a list of who we got and who we lost.

2003 Offers

Michael Bush - 4 Star RB – Louisville

Brandent Eagleman – 3 Star CB – Michigan

Dylan Thiry – 2 Star OT – Northwestern

Jarad Hostetter – 3 Star DE – Tennessee



2003 Commits

Andre Woodson – 4 Star QB – Kentucky

John Logan – 3 Star WR – Kentucky

Jacob Tamme – 3 Star WR/TE – Kentucky

Emanual Harrell – 3 Star WR – Nonqualified

Maurice Marchman - 2 Star WR – Dropout

Dominic Lewis – 3 Star TE – Kentucky

Durrell White – 2 Star DE - Kentucky

Brad Booker – 2 Star LB – Kentucky

Keenan Burton – 3 Star WR – Kentucky

Dallas Greer – 3 Star DB – Injury Out

Leroy Wilson – 2 Star ATH – Kentucky

Ricky Abren – 3 Star DT – Kentucky



2004 Offers

Brian Brohm – 4 Star QB – Louisville

Mario Urritia – 3 Star WR – Louisville

Sean Sester – 2 Star OT – Purdue

Bilal El-Amin – 2 Star LB – Marshal

Brandon Fitzgerald – 2 Star DT – Western KY



2004 Commits

Joe Casey – 3 Star RB – Nonqualified

Lonnell Dewalt – 4 Star WR – Dropout

Micah Jones – 4 Star OT – Kentucky

Arron Miller – 2 Star OT – Kentucky

Gary Williams – 2 Star OG – Kentucky

Gabe Wallace – 2 Star LB – KY Nonqualified

Marcus McClinton – 3 Star SA – Kentucky

Aubry White – 2 Star RB/DB – Kentucky

Jason Leger – 2 Star DT – Kentucky

Myron Pryor 2 Star DT – Kentucky



2005 Offers

Cory Zirbel – 4 Star OT – Michigan

Mike Donoghue – 2 Star OT - Louisville

Brandon Deaderick – 3 Star DE – Alabama

Earl Heyman – 3 Star DE - Louisville

Brandon Logan – 4 Star DB – Michigan

James McKinney – 4 Star DT – Michigan



2005 Commits

Curtis Pulley – 3 Star QB – Kentucky

Corey Goodson – 2 Star RB/DB – Kentucky

Zipp Duncan – 2 Star TE/DE – Kentucky

Kenny Ray Turner – 2 Star OT – Kentucky

David Jones – 3 Star CB – Kentucky

Alfhonso Smith – 2 Star CB/RB – Kentucky

Jordan Nevels – 2 star CB – Kentucky

Lamar Alston – 2 Star CB – Kentucky

Mike Schwindel –2 Star SA – Kentucky

Tim Masthay – 2 Star K – Kentucky

Maurice Grinter – 3 Star LB/RB - Kentucky



2006 Offers

Justin Burke – 3 Star QB – NC State

Luke Stocker – 3 Star TE – Tennessee

Sam Gardner – 2 Star TE – Mich. State

Jeffery Adams – 3 Star OT– Louisville

Leonard Gordon – 3 Star CB – Notre Dame

Tyler Wimsatt – 3 Star WR – Louisville

Aundre Henderson – 4 Star DT – Michigan

Orlando Misaalefua – 2 Star DB – W estern KY



2006 Commits

Will Fidler – 3 Star QB – Kentucky

Paul Warford – 2 Star RB/CB – Kentucky

Josh Minton – 3 Star DE – Kentucky

Micah Johnson – 4 Star LB – Kentucky

Chris Cessna – 2 Star OLB – Kentucky

Corey Peters – 4 Star DT - Kentucky

Justin Jeffries – 2 Star OT - Kentucky

We have lost a lot of good players to Louisville, Tennessee and Michigan. When this sleeping giant wakes up a little more that will end.

[Caveman Catfan]

Personally, I think UK football just needs to wake up. Then we can decide if it is a giant or just a big guy or an average player.

I am hoping this year is a year of awakening.

[Doug Hardin]

They also have to do what Louisville has been able to do very well: find the hidden talents and/or develop guys into better players than their recruiting rankings project. This is why Louisville has become a regular top-25 team over the last 3 or 4 years, not because they're consistently bringing in a top-25 recruiting class.

And maybe UK's on the way to doing the same thing with guys like Braxton Kelly, Wesley Woodyard, and Tony Dixon.

[Blue4ever]

Doug Hardin wrote: They also have to do what Louisville has been able to do very well: find the hidden talents and/or develop guys into better players than their recruiting rankings project. This is why Louisville has become a regular top-25 team over the last 3 or 4 years, not because they're consistently bringing in a top-25 recruiting class.

And maybe UK's on the way to doing the same thing with guys like Braxton Kelly, Wesley Woodyard, and Tony Dixon.


Redshirt, redshirt, redshirt. You have to put the program in a position to redshirt its freshmen - especially your horses up front. We'll never compete in the SEC throwing 18-19 year old linemen at 22 and 23 year olds. Dumme put us on this treadmill of not redshirting and then compounded it with probation.

Two programs I've never been able to understand why they aren't consistant winners are Missouri and Illinois.

[RCS]

I agree on the linemen, disagree on most others though. Lots of FR play, even at the top 10 programs. Playing guys just because you don't have anyone else is the problem. Playing guys that are ready as FR is fine.

The other thing that has really helped UL and I am not really sure why, is transfers. They have gotten some excellent transfers over the years.

[Blue4ever]

RCS wrote: I agree on the linemen, disagree on most others though. Lots of FR play, even at the top 10 programs. Playing guys just because you don't have anyone else is the problem. Playing guys that are ready as FR is fine.

The other thing that has really helped UL and I am not really sure why, is transfers. They have gotten some excellent transfers over the years.


If I remember correctly last year we lost a big recruit to Michigan because the kid wanted to RS. UK was promising immediate PT and Michigan was going to RS him. He chose Michigan because he wanted a year to mature.

I could see where recruiting could makeyou pull your hair out.

[Blue4ever]

UedK wrote: Buck Naked wrote: Yuleofell wrote: Kentucky, the state, does't produce enough quality D1 football players for either Uk or UL to compete against the top of the SEC on a consistent yearly basis. Kentucky produces a few exceptional players each year, but the bulk of our teams must be made of players from out of state.

Without the home grown talent UK would have to steal top recruits from other SEC schools back yards.

Consider yourself a high school senior living in Alabama. Now, name 3 good (and honest) reasons to attend UK over Alabama or Auburn.


The talent pool gets deeper every year. Kentucky has more than held its own the last several years in the Kentucky-Tennessee all star match up, for example. Morever, our in-state talent situatin is certainly comparable to schools like Nebraska, Virginia Tech, and West Virginina and they have all been national powers to varying degrees. All three have had legitimate shots at national titles in years past.

Given the right dymamics, I believe Kentucky can be very competitive in the SEC.


If we held on to ever Kentucky player that we recruited and offered a scholorship to there is no doubt that we would be a better team, probably much more competitive in the SEC. If we filled out roster since 2003 with every KY kid we offerd we would have 66 on the roster. Here is a list of who we got and who we lost.




2006 Offers

Justin Burke – 3 Star QB – NC State

Luke Stocker – 3 Star TE – Tennessee

Sam Gardner – 2 Star TE – Mich. State

Justin Jeffries – 2 Star OT - Louisville

Jeffery Adams – 3 Star OT– Louisville

Leonard Gordon – 3 Star CB – Notre Dame

Tyler Wimsatt – 3 Star WR – Louisville

Aundre Henderson – 4 Star DT – Michigan

Orlando Misaalefua – 2 Star DB – W estern KY



2006 Commits

Will Fidler – 3 Star QB – Kentucky

Paul Warford – 2 Star RB/CB – Kentucky

Josh Minton – 3 Star DE – Kentucky

Micah Johnson – 4 Star LB – Kentucky

Chris Cessna – 2 Star OLB – Kentucky

Corey Peters – 4 Star DT - Kentucky

We have lost a lot of good players to Louisville, Tennessee and Michigan. When this sleeping giant wakes up a little more that will end.
Thought Justin Jeffries committed to UK? Did he transfer?

[LAcat]

Yuleofell wrote: Kentucky, the state, does't produce enough quality D1 football players for either Uk or UL to compete against the top of the SEC on a consistent yearly basis. Kentucky produces a few exceptional players each year, but the bulk of our teams must be made of players from out of state.

Without the home grown talent UK would have to steal top recruits from other SEC schools back yards.

Consider yourself a high school senior living in Alabama. Now, name 3 good (and honest) reasons to attend UK over Alabama or Auburn.
Lexington has Keeneland! That should be enough.:thumbup

[UedK]

Blue4ever wrote: UedK wrote: Buck Naked wrote: Yuleofell wrote: Kentucky, the state, does't produce enough quality D1 football players for either Uk or UL to compete against the top of the SEC on a consistent yearly basis. Kentucky produces a few exceptional players each year, but the bulk of our teams must be made of players from out of state.

Without the home grown talent UK would have to steal top recruits from other SEC schools back yards.

Consider yourself a high school senior living in Alabama. Now, name 3 good (and honest) reasons to attend UK over Alabama or Auburn.


The talent pool gets deeper every year. Kentucky has more than held its own the last several years in the Kentucky-Tennessee all star match up, for example. Morever, our in-state talent situatin is certainly comparable to schools like Nebraska, Virginia Tech, and West Virginina and they have all been national powers to varying degrees. All three have had legitimate shots at national titles in years past.

Given the right dymamics, I believe Kentucky can be very competitive in the SEC.


If we held on to ever Kentucky player that we recruited and offered a scholorship to there is no doubt that we would be a better team, probably much more competitive in the SEC. If we filled out roster since 2003 with every KY kid we offerd we would have 66 on the roster. Here is a list of who we got and who we lost.




2006 Offers

Justin Burke – 3 Star QB – NC State

Luke Stocker – 3 Star TE – Tennessee

Sam Gardner – 2 Star TE – Mich. State

Justin Jeffries – 2 Star OT - Louisville

Jeffery Adams – 3 Star OT– Louisville

Leonard Gordon – 3 Star CB – Notre Dame

Tyler Wimsatt – 3 Star WR – Louisville

Aundre Henderson – 4 Star DT – Michigan

Orlando Misaalefua – 2 Star DB – W estern KY



2006 Commits

Will Fidler – 3 Star QB – Kentucky

Paul Warford – 2 Star RB/CB – Kentucky

Josh Minton – 3 Star DE – Kentucky

Micah Johnson – 4 Star LB – Kentucky

Chris Cessna – 2 Star OLB – Kentucky

Corey Peters – 4 Star DT - Kentucky

We have lost a lot of good players to Louisville, Tennessee and Michigan. When this sleeping giant wakes up a little more that will end.
Thought Justin Jeffries committed to UK? Did he transfer?

Yeah, Justin is a Cat, my mistake.

[poodoo]

Doug Hardin wrote: They also have to do what Louisville has been able to do very well: find the hidden talents and/or develop guys into better players than their recruiting rankings project. This is why Louisville has become a regular top-25 team over the last 3 or 4 years, not because they're consistently bringing in a top-25 recruiting class.

And maybe UK's on the way to doing the same thing with guys like Braxton Kelly, Wesley Woodyard, and Tony Dixon.

Excellent point, Doug, especially about finding the "hidden talents." John L. Smith was particulary successful in that regard. Let's hope Coach Petrino does not do as well in that area. :)Most of all, of course, let's hope this staff is successful, and I really dobelieve finding "hidden talents" is a strength for this staff.