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Ignore recruiting rankings - best Kentucky class ever

  • An incredible amount of depth to this class, Kentucky met needs at virtually every position with different making players. The only position where there isn't an identifiable different maker is WR, but the Cats picked up 3 in last years class that will most definitely show in 2012.

    The biggest compliment of the 2012 class? It has to be top to bottom talent, with very few reaches. There were numerous kids who were being courted late from top 10 programs, and that says a whole heck of a lot.

    Athleticism - this class, by far will be the most impressive when they walk in to fall ball practice. The level of athleticism is unmatched by any class in Kentucky history. No super thin defensive backs, or pudgy linebackers. 80% of these kids are in optimal height and weight for their position day 1. And Kentucky is recruiting hard for the defensive side of the ball, picking up sideline to sideline speed for the aggressive Minter defense.

    There are 10 guys in this class that were at some point slated as one of the most highly underrated in the class, including a couple of my favorites, Fred Tiller and Jalen Whitlow. I think most covering Kentucky sports will be SHOCKED when they see what these kids look like in August at the end of a summer with The Rock.

    Combined with last years recruiting class, and this, Kentucky is building a solid foundation with Joker and his staff. The ability to maintain Tee Martin is bigger than you can ever imagine. If, just IF Kentucky can throw out a few surprises next year, Kentucky will again best it's 2012 recruiting class with the best ever, having some of the most talented players in the state of Kentucky. But those kids have got to believe, and if they can somehow post a 500 record in the SEC next year, things will change in a hurry.

    So enjoy the best closing of any Kentucky class in my history of watching football recruiting (circa 1994). #GoBigBlue!

    Jared Bonshire

  • 1000000000000000% agree!

    Whitaker568

  • rompcat

  • Beezy1123

  • Not to mention, think about past recruiting classes, and think of this class. How many of these kids have no shot of qualifying? Not many. We just didn't rack those kids up. our best players will be on campus next year.....certain other schools nearby can't say that.

    Jared Bonshire

  • I agree with everything except WR Legree and Sweat can be special. Read Jeff's article where the big talk of the day from the coaches was Legree. But you never know?

    footballcat65

  • I agree. Solid class top to bottom. We got Towles, some big nasty linemen on both sides of the ball, some good looking RBs, and outstanding athletes at WR. We got some good LBs and DBs. We have some versatile guys who could play either DB or WR. I will say that I don't really understand the Sterling Wright signing. He looks like he's got a good nose for the football, but doesn't really have any eye-popping skills or freakish athleticism. I personally wish we would have gone after another DL prospect or LB. Ross and Pearson not qualifying really hurt there.

    This post was edited by BigBlueTopper on 2/1/2012 at 6:18 PM

    "Apparently the University of Kentucky basketball dynasty is to continue forever." - Philadelphia Inquirer, December 23 1954.

    BigBlueTopper

  • Recruiting Rankings are pure Las Vegas style roulette wheel gambling. I'll take 13 red please...... Joker and Co. have to look at kids in the "here and now" and say...."what will this kid look like in 2 years after Rock gets a hold of him." Rankings are fun (for some) but ultimately meaningless. Joker and Tee have to start coaching up the studs he gets and make them even more studder. Got to have a quality staff, a Rock Oliver, and kids willing to give it their all in the pursuit of football greatness. I think this year and next we MUST begin to show it on the field.

    PatWren

  • Well, they physically look like seniors at UK, I'll give them that.

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    Jared Bonshire

  • Yeah, Sweat just needs to learn to catch the dang gone ball and run to the right spot. Physically he's ready to go.

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    Jared Bonshire

  • Jared Bonshire said...

    Well, they physically look like seniors at UK, I'll give them that.

    BBN is ready to embrace the Football Program...we just have to catch a couple of breaks, beat the hell outta the dirty birds and the dirty snitches to the south, and these quality classes will keep improving. Who the heck wouldn't want to come to BBN? In time...... Could Joker become a Cal in recruiting?

    PatWren

  • Pat - With our current coaches, if they can somehow get some W's this year, next years class could be legendary.

    Jared Bonshire

  • Jared Bonshire said...

    Pat - With our current coaches, if they can somehow get some W's this year, next years class could be legendary.

    Jared (great post by the way), I hope you are right. Can we get the W's this year? Haven't seen our schedule....what do you think?

    PatWren

  • I think it will be viewed in a much better light in 2-3 years. Looking back on it, people will see an excellent OL, a couple of really good DL, and major upgrades in athletes across the board.

    The class has been docked some "sex appeal" due to the 5 OL that haven't really gotten evaluated as highly as Mike Summers would list them.

    signature image

    E-mail: JDRUM@247SPORTS.COM Follow me on Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/JDrumUK

    Jeff Drummond

  • Jeff Drummond said...

    I think it will be viewed in a much better light in 2-3 years. Looking back on it, people will see an excellent OL, a couple of really good DL, and major upgrades in athletes across the board.

    The class has been docked some "sex appeal" due to the 5 OL that haven't really gotten evaluated as highly as Mike Summers would list them.

    Case in point, they seem to be crazy about Jones, who's a two star rated guy.

    SSP4L!! #GBB

    terryinbham

  • Not arguing the talent level, but in terms of balance/needs I'd have like to have seen a quality TE and one less FR OL, a ready to play JUCO OT and one less FR OL, and one of the DL guys we lost over one DB.

    vhcat1970

  • Completely off topic, but when did AJ Legree get an offer from the U?

    Jared Bonshire

  • Great post Jared!!!

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    "Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm." ~ Emerson

    alphacat93

  • Once again great post Jared
    But I can't even imagine if we can have some success the next couple of seasons and just keep building and building how our classes will be. I think our staff is filled with great recruiters and Tee heads them all. They haven't gotten near the credit they deserved and all people did was talk about how we needed better recruiters. Cassity came in and got Quinn in a week! If this program could have some consistent success we could compete in the SEC.

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    #BBN #WeAreUK #BoyleCountyAlum

    CampbellSoup07

  • Jared Bonshire said...

    Completely off topic, but when did AJ Legree get an offer from the U?

    Think you are thinking of AJ Leggett.

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    Chris Fisher

  • As far as this class is concerned, I'm with Jeff. Check back in a couple years for true value.

    I was geeked on UK's class two years ago with the late additions of Alex Smith and Jerrell Priester. Neither are still on campus.

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    Chris Fisher

  • Chris Fisher said...

    Think you are thinking of AJ Leggett.

    According to Rivals Legree had an offer from Miami (FL)

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    BG631

  • BG631 said...

    According to Rivals Legree had an offer from Miami (FL)

    He at least had a track type offer from them...maybe like a Derrick Locke deal....

    WildcatGG24

  • If you want a clue to how lost some of the recruiting services are they still have Zeke Pike rated ahead of Towles. Is there a single Cat fan among us who would trade Towles for Pike? I didn't think so.

    You could probably go down the list of UK three stars and find a four star elsewhere who you wouldn't trade our prospect for the 4* guy. Looked at that way, I like our class just fine.

    Now it's on the coaches to guide them to success on Saturdays.

    jamccain

  • A lot of track teams are looking for seven foot high jumpers. IMO this kid could be a defensive backs nightmare. Just throw it up and let him go get it.

    C1180

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