RV
08-14-2006, 10:10 PM
I liked what I saw during the recent scrimmage and many of the questions of the spring were answered to my satisfaction. It confirmed my suspicion that overall we have more talent and depth than we’ve had in many a year. When Micah Johnson, Mo Grinter, Jamil Paris, Corey Peters, Alphonso Smith and David Jones are running with the third team – well – that’s depth.
O-line and QB
Our O-line has a chance to be very solid. Twelve returning lettermen and several athletic specimens bode well for the coming season. Coach Phillips says the key word for this year is protection. Protect the QB and protect the ball. The Offensive philosophy will reflect that theme. We will pass as needed and lean on what should be a stellar running game. We have four very good scholarship QB’s and I don’t remember the last time we had zero walkons in the four deep at that position. We can win with either Andre or Curtis and I suspect we’ll utilize both as they bring different talents to the table and will create problems for opposing teams having to prepare for both.
69 Aaron Miller 6-6 310 So
71 James Alexander6-6 295 So.
79 Garry Williams6-3 290 So.
78 Christian Johnson 6-4 310 So.
52 Fatu Turituri6-3 300 Sr.
64 Cody Morehead6-5 320 Jr.
77 Marcus Davis 6-1 280 Jr.
62 Matt McCutchan6-3 305 Sr
61 Jorge Gonzalez6-3 300 RSFr.
59 Eric Scott6-5 280 Jr.
58 Travis Slaydon6-3 280 Sr.
72 Michael Aitcheson 6-3 295 Sr.
60 Trai Williams6-4 290 Sr.
68 Michael Williams6-6 285 RSFr.
75 Micah Jones 6-4 320 So.
57 Hayden Lane 6-6 290 Sr.
70 Zach Hennis6-8 310 RSFr.
55 Sefo Mailau Blaylock6-5 310 RSFr.
76 Justin Jeffries 6-5 300 Fr.
3 Andre Woodson6-5 230 Jr.
15 Curtis Pulley 6-3 200 So.
1 Will Fidler6-4 203 Fr.
5 Michael Hartline6-5 170 Fr.
D-line
Our D-line may not be the most intimidating in the conference but by UK standards it is more than we’ve grown to expect. All positions are experienced and deep with a good balance of experience, youth and athleticism. Our season will go as far as the D and O lines will take us but we have a handful of guys that could garner some post season honors.
9 Durrell White 6-3 262 Sr.
94 Travis Day6-3 265 Jr.
96 Jodane Craigman 6-4 250 Jr.
99 Jeremy Jarmon6-4 270 RSFr.
20 Dominic Lewis 6-3 263 Jr.
97 Nij Adiei Oninku 6-1 250 So.
90 Jamil Paris6-5 233 Fr.
92 Josh Minton6-4 240 Fr.
98 Myron Pryor 6-1 305 So.
66 Jason Leger 6-1 295 Jr.
91 Corey Peters 6-3 280 Fr.
45 Lamar Mills 6-1 290 Sr.
63 Ricky Abren 6-2 290 Jr.
95 Ventrell Jenkins6-2 290 So.
93 Austin Moss6-1 240 RSFr.
53 Ricky Lumpkin6-3 245 Fr.
Backs
Our running game could be ‘sweet’ which should be no ‘Little’ achievement. Enough has been said about our Little big man and we should expect more of the same. What I saw Saturday though reinforced the line of thinking that we won’t be depending on only one guy. We have several weapons. Tony Dixon could be every bit as good as Raffy and likely more powerful. After a steady dose of Little/Dixon a defense could get ‘warped’ when Alphonso Smith comes in a puts it in warp drive. Walkon Antoine Brown is a poor man’s Dixon and our fullbacks are talented and versatile. Bankhead is the wiley vet while Conner and Grinter are the young bulls looking to mix it up.
22 Raphael Little 5-11 205 Jr.
28 Tony Dixon5-9 205 So.
29 Alphonso Smith6-2 190 RSFr.
33 Antoine Brown5-8 200 RSFr.
37 Trey Bowland5-10 190 Fr.
24 Terrell Bankhead 5-11 225 Sr.
38 John Conner6-0 230 RSFr.
40Maurice Grinter6-2 240 Fr.
41 Ben Bates 6-1 240 RSFr.
47 Matt Rowland6-1 205 Fr.
Receivers
Our receiving corps was a huge question mark to many in the spring and I had my doubts as well at times if we would round into form but those fears have been alleviated in my mind. Losing Jo Jo hurt with our experience but I think we have twelve guys (including the TE’s) we can go to war with. Keenan is a human highlight reel and Steve Johnson exhibited that he has some of those same qualities. Demorio, Michael Strickland and Sean Murphy will make the tough catches and get down and dirty in the run game. Dicky and John have always had the speed but were question marks otherwise but both seem to have worked hard and are making some plays with more consistency. At TE we have the ‘old man’ and the rookies. Tamme can do it all while the young guys are talented and willing so they may make some mistakes but it won’t be for lack of effort.
18 Jacob Tamme6-5 245 Jr.
49 Zipp Duncan6-5 250 RSFr.
86 Ross Bogue 6-5 250 RSFr.
80T C Drake6-6 230 Fr.
82 Tyler Sexton6-4 240 RSFr.
88Chris Goode 6-4 220 Fr.
19 Keenan Burton 6-2 200 Jr.
8 DeMoreo Ford (http://www.wildcatnation.net/forum/%20/%20ford)5-11 180 RSFr.
13 Steve Johnson6-3 205 Jr.
12 Dicky Lyons 5-11 195 So.
6 John Logan 6-0 190 Jr.
7 David Jones5-10 185 So.
83 Michael Strickland 6-1 190 Fr.
89 Sean Murphy 6-4 185 Jr.
26 Terrence Jones6-2 185 Fr.
84 Darrell Stevens6-0 180 Fr.
85 Anthony Cecil6-0 190 RSFr.
34 Kenny Hawkins5-9 170 RSFr.
85 Jimorris Johnson6-4 190 Fr.
11 Jo Jo Brown6-3 195 So. Out for season
Linebackers
We have several guys at the LB spots that can cover a lot of ground and usually arrive in a really bad mood. Woodyard, Kelley, Williams and Johnson would have no problem getting playing time on most any SEC team. Schuler and McGrath are solid, heady players that make few mistakes. I haven’t seen the rest enough to gauge their talents yet but I’m impressed with their overall speed and willingness to hit. This unit should be a strong suit this season.
46 Joe Schuler6-3 240 Jr.
51 Johnny Williams6-3 230 So.
50 Sam Maxwell6-3 230 Fr.
60 Johnny Walker6-3 225 RSFr.
11 Ben McGrath 6-2 240 So.
56 Braxton Kelley 6-2 230 So.
4 Micah Johnson6-2 250 Fr.
43 Mikhail Mabry 6-2 225 So.
16 Wesley Woodyard6-1 215 Jr.
37 Patrick Barnette6-1 210 So.
54 Brandon Thurmond6-2 200 Fr.
48 Terry Clayton6-1 230 Jr.
Defensive backs
If opposites attract we should have a lovely marriage in the defensive backfield. There are many talented prospects at Corner but not a lot of experience while we have some good experience at Safety. We’re not nearly as deep there but our starters should be solid. To put in perspective the talent at Corner – if your 3rd and 4th teams contain David Jones and A J Grigsby – friends that’s deep talent. So deep that evidently Jones has been moved to offense. I haven’t seen that big-hitting headhunter type yet but maybe one or two will emerge.
10 Karl Booker6-1 190 Sr.
32 Trevard Lindley6-0 180 RSFr.
23 Shomari Moore 5-9 180 So.
34 Paul Warford5-10 190 Fr.
30 Jarrell Williams5-11 190 So.
25 A J Grigsby 5-11 190 Jr.
17 E J Adams 6-0 190 Fr.
31 Jordan Nevels5-10 175 RSFr.
2 Marcus McClinton6-1 205 So.
35 Roger Williams6-0 200 Jr.
21 Michael Schwindel6-4 215 RSFr.
33 Calvin Harrison6-0 190 Fr.
14 Dallas Greer 6-1 200 Jr.
39 Adam Richey6-0 185 RSFr.
27 Ashton Cobb 6-0 195 Fr.
26 Martin McPherson6-2 200 So.
Parts of our kicking game was among the nations elite last year and while some slippage should be expected I suspect we will be solid, if not spectacular there again.
Overall we’ll be a much deeper and more talented squad. We have 16 returning redshirts and 24 newcomers giving the coaches 40 additional talented guys from which to choose. You may argue that this is the case on many campuses, I would counter that there aren’t many others that were decimated by injury and hamstrung by low numbers to begin with. We took less than 50 scholarship kids to IU last year and now we have almost all those guys returning and an influx of nearly as many additional new players. Not only will that fact allow us to rest front-line players with little noticeable drop off but being able to practice against talented players daily makes everyone better. Plus it gives the added bonus of our players getting to practice against scout team guys at a level that will more closely reflect the game-speed seen on Saturdays.
I am cautiously optimistic that we are set to have a successful season barring another rash of injuries. I expect us to go bowling and with so few Seniors we may be nearly ready to compete soon on a weekly basis at a high level in the SEC.
O-line and QB
Our O-line has a chance to be very solid. Twelve returning lettermen and several athletic specimens bode well for the coming season. Coach Phillips says the key word for this year is protection. Protect the QB and protect the ball. The Offensive philosophy will reflect that theme. We will pass as needed and lean on what should be a stellar running game. We have four very good scholarship QB’s and I don’t remember the last time we had zero walkons in the four deep at that position. We can win with either Andre or Curtis and I suspect we’ll utilize both as they bring different talents to the table and will create problems for opposing teams having to prepare for both.
69 Aaron Miller 6-6 310 So
71 James Alexander6-6 295 So.
79 Garry Williams6-3 290 So.
78 Christian Johnson 6-4 310 So.
52 Fatu Turituri6-3 300 Sr.
64 Cody Morehead6-5 320 Jr.
77 Marcus Davis 6-1 280 Jr.
62 Matt McCutchan6-3 305 Sr
61 Jorge Gonzalez6-3 300 RSFr.
59 Eric Scott6-5 280 Jr.
58 Travis Slaydon6-3 280 Sr.
72 Michael Aitcheson 6-3 295 Sr.
60 Trai Williams6-4 290 Sr.
68 Michael Williams6-6 285 RSFr.
75 Micah Jones 6-4 320 So.
57 Hayden Lane 6-6 290 Sr.
70 Zach Hennis6-8 310 RSFr.
55 Sefo Mailau Blaylock6-5 310 RSFr.
76 Justin Jeffries 6-5 300 Fr.
3 Andre Woodson6-5 230 Jr.
15 Curtis Pulley 6-3 200 So.
1 Will Fidler6-4 203 Fr.
5 Michael Hartline6-5 170 Fr.
D-line
Our D-line may not be the most intimidating in the conference but by UK standards it is more than we’ve grown to expect. All positions are experienced and deep with a good balance of experience, youth and athleticism. Our season will go as far as the D and O lines will take us but we have a handful of guys that could garner some post season honors.
9 Durrell White 6-3 262 Sr.
94 Travis Day6-3 265 Jr.
96 Jodane Craigman 6-4 250 Jr.
99 Jeremy Jarmon6-4 270 RSFr.
20 Dominic Lewis 6-3 263 Jr.
97 Nij Adiei Oninku 6-1 250 So.
90 Jamil Paris6-5 233 Fr.
92 Josh Minton6-4 240 Fr.
98 Myron Pryor 6-1 305 So.
66 Jason Leger 6-1 295 Jr.
91 Corey Peters 6-3 280 Fr.
45 Lamar Mills 6-1 290 Sr.
63 Ricky Abren 6-2 290 Jr.
95 Ventrell Jenkins6-2 290 So.
93 Austin Moss6-1 240 RSFr.
53 Ricky Lumpkin6-3 245 Fr.
Backs
Our running game could be ‘sweet’ which should be no ‘Little’ achievement. Enough has been said about our Little big man and we should expect more of the same. What I saw Saturday though reinforced the line of thinking that we won’t be depending on only one guy. We have several weapons. Tony Dixon could be every bit as good as Raffy and likely more powerful. After a steady dose of Little/Dixon a defense could get ‘warped’ when Alphonso Smith comes in a puts it in warp drive. Walkon Antoine Brown is a poor man’s Dixon and our fullbacks are talented and versatile. Bankhead is the wiley vet while Conner and Grinter are the young bulls looking to mix it up.
22 Raphael Little 5-11 205 Jr.
28 Tony Dixon5-9 205 So.
29 Alphonso Smith6-2 190 RSFr.
33 Antoine Brown5-8 200 RSFr.
37 Trey Bowland5-10 190 Fr.
24 Terrell Bankhead 5-11 225 Sr.
38 John Conner6-0 230 RSFr.
40Maurice Grinter6-2 240 Fr.
41 Ben Bates 6-1 240 RSFr.
47 Matt Rowland6-1 205 Fr.
Receivers
Our receiving corps was a huge question mark to many in the spring and I had my doubts as well at times if we would round into form but those fears have been alleviated in my mind. Losing Jo Jo hurt with our experience but I think we have twelve guys (including the TE’s) we can go to war with. Keenan is a human highlight reel and Steve Johnson exhibited that he has some of those same qualities. Demorio, Michael Strickland and Sean Murphy will make the tough catches and get down and dirty in the run game. Dicky and John have always had the speed but were question marks otherwise but both seem to have worked hard and are making some plays with more consistency. At TE we have the ‘old man’ and the rookies. Tamme can do it all while the young guys are talented and willing so they may make some mistakes but it won’t be for lack of effort.
18 Jacob Tamme6-5 245 Jr.
49 Zipp Duncan6-5 250 RSFr.
86 Ross Bogue 6-5 250 RSFr.
80T C Drake6-6 230 Fr.
82 Tyler Sexton6-4 240 RSFr.
88Chris Goode 6-4 220 Fr.
19 Keenan Burton 6-2 200 Jr.
8 DeMoreo Ford (http://www.wildcatnation.net/forum/%20/%20ford)5-11 180 RSFr.
13 Steve Johnson6-3 205 Jr.
12 Dicky Lyons 5-11 195 So.
6 John Logan 6-0 190 Jr.
7 David Jones5-10 185 So.
83 Michael Strickland 6-1 190 Fr.
89 Sean Murphy 6-4 185 Jr.
26 Terrence Jones6-2 185 Fr.
84 Darrell Stevens6-0 180 Fr.
85 Anthony Cecil6-0 190 RSFr.
34 Kenny Hawkins5-9 170 RSFr.
85 Jimorris Johnson6-4 190 Fr.
11 Jo Jo Brown6-3 195 So. Out for season
Linebackers
We have several guys at the LB spots that can cover a lot of ground and usually arrive in a really bad mood. Woodyard, Kelley, Williams and Johnson would have no problem getting playing time on most any SEC team. Schuler and McGrath are solid, heady players that make few mistakes. I haven’t seen the rest enough to gauge their talents yet but I’m impressed with their overall speed and willingness to hit. This unit should be a strong suit this season.
46 Joe Schuler6-3 240 Jr.
51 Johnny Williams6-3 230 So.
50 Sam Maxwell6-3 230 Fr.
60 Johnny Walker6-3 225 RSFr.
11 Ben McGrath 6-2 240 So.
56 Braxton Kelley 6-2 230 So.
4 Micah Johnson6-2 250 Fr.
43 Mikhail Mabry 6-2 225 So.
16 Wesley Woodyard6-1 215 Jr.
37 Patrick Barnette6-1 210 So.
54 Brandon Thurmond6-2 200 Fr.
48 Terry Clayton6-1 230 Jr.
Defensive backs
If opposites attract we should have a lovely marriage in the defensive backfield. There are many talented prospects at Corner but not a lot of experience while we have some good experience at Safety. We’re not nearly as deep there but our starters should be solid. To put in perspective the talent at Corner – if your 3rd and 4th teams contain David Jones and A J Grigsby – friends that’s deep talent. So deep that evidently Jones has been moved to offense. I haven’t seen that big-hitting headhunter type yet but maybe one or two will emerge.
10 Karl Booker6-1 190 Sr.
32 Trevard Lindley6-0 180 RSFr.
23 Shomari Moore 5-9 180 So.
34 Paul Warford5-10 190 Fr.
30 Jarrell Williams5-11 190 So.
25 A J Grigsby 5-11 190 Jr.
17 E J Adams 6-0 190 Fr.
31 Jordan Nevels5-10 175 RSFr.
2 Marcus McClinton6-1 205 So.
35 Roger Williams6-0 200 Jr.
21 Michael Schwindel6-4 215 RSFr.
33 Calvin Harrison6-0 190 Fr.
14 Dallas Greer 6-1 200 Jr.
39 Adam Richey6-0 185 RSFr.
27 Ashton Cobb 6-0 195 Fr.
26 Martin McPherson6-2 200 So.
Parts of our kicking game was among the nations elite last year and while some slippage should be expected I suspect we will be solid, if not spectacular there again.
Overall we’ll be a much deeper and more talented squad. We have 16 returning redshirts and 24 newcomers giving the coaches 40 additional talented guys from which to choose. You may argue that this is the case on many campuses, I would counter that there aren’t many others that were decimated by injury and hamstrung by low numbers to begin with. We took less than 50 scholarship kids to IU last year and now we have almost all those guys returning and an influx of nearly as many additional new players. Not only will that fact allow us to rest front-line players with little noticeable drop off but being able to practice against talented players daily makes everyone better. Plus it gives the added bonus of our players getting to practice against scout team guys at a level that will more closely reflect the game-speed seen on Saturdays.
I am cautiously optimistic that we are set to have a successful season barring another rash of injuries. I expect us to go bowling and with so few Seniors we may be nearly ready to compete soon on a weekly basis at a high level in the SEC.