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Defensive Line Recruiting......

  • I know we've seen UK up the ante on Dline recruiting within the last few weeks. Part of that might be because UK wasn't confident in landing the kid that just chose Vandy. However, UK might not feel as comfortable in holding onto David Washington. Since it's premium content, I won't link it, but he was interviewed last night on another network. Bottom line- he said "I'm commited to UK for now, but a lot of that has to do with how they perform this season." He openly talks about needing to see improvement and wanting to play on a good team in college. Something to keep an eye on. To say this season's on field performance is critical for the future of UK Football is the understatement of the year.

    MinterWonderlnd

  • Could also mean that they expect Cobble & Rumph to jump to the NFL, leaving the DL thin. (DE's Ukwu & Wyndham are SR's).
    So 4 DL would be gone in 2013. & they only have Hyde & Bell currently solidly committed.

    catcard202

  • We've also had some attrition through the past few yrs with d-linemen. That may play a part. I say continue to stock the pantry.

    My momma has always said, "Better to have and not need, than need and not have."

    P.S. QVC's and HSN's stock dropped 5 pts when my momma recently moved....biggrin

    BlueRaider22

  • MinterWonderlnd said...

    I know we've seen UK up the ante on Dline recruiting within the last few weeks. Part of that might be because UK wasn't confident in landing the kid that just chose Vandy. However, UK might not feel as comfortable in holding onto David Washington. Since it's premium content, I won't link it, but he was interviewed last night on another network. Bottom line- he said "I'm commited to UK for now, but a lot of that has to do with how they perform this season." He openly talks about needing to see improvement and wanting to play on a good team in college. Something to keep an eye on. To say this season's on field performance is critical for the future of UK Football is the understatement of the year.

    The only other article I saw, Washington said he was looking forward to joining the cats? confused

    footballcat65

  • I highly doubt either Rumph or Cobble jump to the NFL. Cobble has basically played 1 season. Those two guys would have to be all SEC this year to make that jump. When the 13 class comes in both will be SRs so it's important to continue a good rotation after they're gone.

    gobigblue812

  • Most everyone wants to play on a good team. I'd say all of our commitments care about how we perform and if we throw a 3-9 up many will decommit...but we will have a new coach anyways...

    Vandy will be in the same boat...all of their great commitments wont be so solid with a bad start.

    WildcatGG24

  • WildcatGG24 said...

    Most everyone wants to play on a good team. I'd say all of our commitments care about how we perform and if we throw a 3-9 up many will decommit...but we will have a new coach anyways...

    Vandy will be in the same boat...all of their great commitments wont be so solid with a bad start.

    This^^ and i will add
    I wounder how solid a couple of UNC kids maybe if football takes hit over this class/grade scandal the keeps running across the bottom line in ESPN.
    Its a long long time till February.

    catfaninMs

  • A 5-7 team last year, which was absolutely abysmal to watch on the offensive side of things, resulted in getting a monster class even up to the last few days until the signing period when the prospects all knew how terrible we were. I also haven't seen one interview where a prospect has been sold by the staff that UK is going to win games this season. These kids know what situation they are coming to and are being sold on improving it. Young team, potentially play early, SEC, and a great character of a staff are getting these kids to UK. Sure, one to a few might jump ship once they get a certain big program offer, but that happens every year. The last two classes have been as good as UK has ever gotten talent wise. "To say this season's on field performance is critical for the future of UK Football is the understatement of the year" is a ridiculous statement imo. Every year has the same importance of performance. To assume if UK wins 4 games this season, the next 5 will be atrocious is idiotic.

    stlwildcat

  • I just think its the same old thing..Joker has made a move to upgrade both the OL and DL..and is continuing to do so, and rightfully so. Its just that for whatever reason, they have had less success landing DLinemen than Olineman. That has changed for 2013...as the cats already have Hyde and Bell on line..and several potential lands coming at DT and DE...Joker wont just fill a scholarship with a D Lineman that they are not sure can play in the SEC. I hope Swain comes, and mabye 1 more DT and DE. IF you can land 4 to 5 DL per year you are in good shape. If the Cats come out and beat the Tards...and rollonto a good season...8-4 with a bowl win..winding up with 9 wins..we will get some guys that are waiting to decide..if we wind up 4-8 or 5-7..then what we have is about what we will get.

    BigBlueDawg12

  • stlwildcat said...

    A 5-7 team last year, which was absolutely abysmal to watch on the offensive side of things, resulted in getting a monster class even up to the last few days until the signing period when the prospects all knew how terrible we were. I also haven't seen one interview where a prospect has been sold by the staff that UK is going to win games this season. These kids know what situation they are coming to and are being sold on improving it. Young team, potentially play early, SEC, and a great character of a staff are getting these kids to UK. Sure, one to a few might jump ship once they get a certain big program offer, but that happens every year. The last two classes have been as good as UK has ever gotten talent wise. "To say this season's on field performance is critical for the future of UK Football is the understatement of the year" is a ridiculous statement imo. Every year has the same importance of performance. To assume if UK wins 4 games this season, the next 5 will be atrocious is idiotic.

    UK had a monster recruiting class last year? What did I miss...decent class, but nothing monster about it. Getting Taylor late was great...but that was more about Bama dropping him at midnight hour vs. UK IMO.

    K__TIME

  • Best offensive class UK has ever signed imo, who are you not excited about in that entire group? Personally love the Thomas/Henderson LB class, 8 DBs plus Kory Brown so if a couple don't pan out it is no big deal. Then Newton and Champan were highly recruited and rated plus Graffree who was an instate monster. Last, but not least, likely the starting punter. Sure, not a top 15 class overall but that is unrealistic.

    stlwildcat

  • ^^^ If you can't see the difference in the kind of athletes Joker's staff has hauled in the last 2 yrs...I don't know that anyone could change your opinion on whether they were monster classes (for UK) or not. However, There is no question in my mind that the OL & DL recruits are huge upgrades over previous classes.

    This staff has a world of experience...And they are targeting SEC body types w/ athletic project-ability & doing so regardless of where some scouting services rating system has them.
    They've built personal relationships w/ a # of HS coaches across the south & have taken some sleepers that may have slipped past the big boys...But they've seen in person the vast majority of those players that they have signed. As they camped at UK or were judged vs other potential prospects at all-star events. Not just off highlight tapes, potentially against marginal.
    Which seems like a solid way to evaluate such talent...more so than some guy viewing a 5min youtube reel.

    IMO, Joker/UK is building a sustainable winner...Recruiting for Minter's swarming hybrid DEF & Sanders multilevel pro-style attack...And given a little more time to develop what's in-house & stock up on future talent. The sky is really the limit.

    catcard202

  • catcard202 said...

    ^^^ If you can't see the difference in the kind of athletes Joker's staff has hauled in the last 2 yrs...I don't know that anyone could change your opinion on whether they were monster classes (for UK) or not. However, There is no question in my mind that the OL & DL recruits are huge upgrades over previous classes.

    This staff has a world of experience...And they are targeting SEC body types w/ athletic project-ability & doing so regardless of where some scouting services rating system has them. They've built personal relationships w/ a # of HS coaches across the south & have taken some sleepers that may have slipped past the big boys...But they've seen in person the vast majority of those players that they have signed. As they camped at UK or were judged vs other potential prospects at all-star events. Not just off highlight tapes, potentially against marginal. Which seems like a solid way to evaluate such talent...more so than some guy viewing a 5min youtube reel.

    IMO, Joker/UK is building a sustainable winner...Recruiting for Minter's swarming hybrid DEF & Sanders multilevel pro-style attack...And given a little more time to develop what's in-house & stock up on future talent. The sky is really the limit.

    thumbsup

    IamRV

  • K__TIME said...

    UK had a monster recruiting class last year? What did I miss...decent class, but nothing monster about it. Getting Taylor late was great...but that was more about Bama dropping him at midnight hour vs. UK IMO.

    Not trying to split hairs but are u saying the only football player we got in our last class will be Taylor?
    If so and ur truly a UK fan man are u going to be happy once u see this class on the field.

    catfaninMs

  • Op up to his old tricks.

    hoptownukfan

  • ^ This

    Maximus62865