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Jacob Russell leaves football to join baseball

  • Not sure if this is a big issue, but he was 3rd on the depth chart at QB. With Towles and Whitlow coming in, we should be ok. But as last year showed us, using 3 QB's in a year in the SEC isn't out of the question. Really hope Maxwell stays healthy this year.

    Catfanin502

  • I honestly don't believe that he was really going to play much anyway. Next yr we'll have Smith, Towles, Newton, and Whitlow.....and I'm not even convinced that Russell would've played if all of these 4 went down. It wouldn't surprise me if they switch Bookie back over to play QB.....more of a wildcat.....over Russell at that point.

    BlueRaider22

  • This places a premium on Newton getting healthy to secure QB #2 position. Or Towles may be forced into action. Which IMO is a mistake for the program and Towles. Ideally, you would like to have 2 years between Smith and Towles.

    I realize Russell was a walk-on and likely wouldn't have played unless an injury occurred, but he would have allowed Newton and Towles to redshirt. It's disappointing to see kids continue to leave the program due to feeling that they aren't getting a fair shake to earn PT and compete. This is an issue that has been a problem for Joker and needs to be addressed if UK ever wants to develop a SEC level depth chart that has 4th years juniors and 5th seniors populating it.

    A_Cat

  • A_Cat said...

    It's disappointing to see kids continue to leave the program due to feeling that they aren't getting a fair shake to earn PT and compete.

    Where did you see reported that Russell left because he wasn't "getting a fair shake" to earn PT and compete?

    Is this something you know personally, or something you've decided happened based upon what you believe is happening within the program?

    If you've got info concerning his lack of a fair shake, let's hear it. If you're making up false narratives to cast everything that happens concerning the program in a negative light, you're being too transparent about it.

    JDHLaw11

  • JDHLaw11 said...

    Where did you see reported that Russell left because he wasn't "getting a fair shake" to earn PT and compete?

    Is this something you know personally, or something you've decided happened based upon what you believe is happening within the program?

    If you've got info concerning his lack of a fair shake, let's hear it. If you're making up false narratives to cast everything that happens concerning the program in a negative light, you're being too transparent about it.

    Haven't you heard? That's the only reason any player leaves the program, it isn't because they aren't good enough to get on the field, they just didn't get a fair chance.

    no

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    "Kentucky Football needs to be and will be a championship contender in the SEC."~Mitch Barnhart 11/4/12

    rgunslinger

  • Over on the other board I started a thread tellings some info that I found out from someone that ties into the football program. Basically from what was told to me Jacob Russell wasn't even in the coaches plans at all. I'm guessing that maybe Russell knew that and decided to leave. The coaches are going to ride with Max Smith, the only way that they don't ride with Max Smith is if Patrick Towles comes in here and he's really really spectacular. Morgan Newton won't be healthy to really throw until the start of the season or after the first few games of the season. He's got a legit shot at redshirting but more than likely will be the backup QB. The coaching staff is split on weather or not to give Patrick Towles reps in games if he's not the QB. My guess is that he will as it seems like Randy Sanders wants him to. Jacob Russell wasn't mentioned at all.

    UKani

  • A_Cat said...

    This places a premium on Newton getting healthy to secure QB #2 position. Or Towles may be forced into action. Which IMO is a mistake for the program and Towles. Ideally, you would like to have 2 years between Smith and Towles.

    I realize Russell was a walk-on and likely wouldn't have played unless an injury occurred, but he would have allowed Newton and Towles to redshirt. It's disappointing to see kids continue to leave the program due to feeling that they aren't getting a fair shake to earn PT and compete. This is an issue that has been a problem for Joker and needs to be addressed if UK ever wants to develop a SEC level depth chart that has 4th years juniors and 5th seniors populating it.

    I agree. This is a bigger blow than some may think. Could cost us a RS. Btw...i had been told that Jacob had been throwing the ball really really well and had looked very good.

    I still wish Jacob the best!

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    tommy

  • tommy said...

    I agree. This is a bigger blow than some may think. Could cost us a RS. Btw...i had been told that Jacob had been throwing the ball really really well and had looked very good.

    I still wish Jacob the best!

    I wish him the best as well, and hope he stars for the baseball team next year.

    But we got a chance to see Russell gets reps in the spring game. He went 8-24 against UK's relatively young secondary. He was not going to be the guy we could go to in any capacity other than very minor spot duty or a zone-read rush attack ala Matt Roark. His absence or presence was never going to be the determining factor in PT's redshirt. Those factors are Newton's recovery and Smith's health during the season.

    JDHLaw11

  • Was really hoping Russell was here to ensure Towles was redshirted. I think that is a big thing. Towles needs to redshirt to get some separation between he and Max.

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    Twitter - @JEdwar247

    Josh Edwards ●

  • The kid was only going to be on the depth chart, so he is trying another sport.,.......I watched him in the spring and he was sooo far behind Max Smith as far as arm strength, etc. He ran for a 48 yard TD, but come on man, you wear the red no hit shirt in the spring game. He looked like he knew what he was doing just not enough quickness there. He could have went to LB , helped on the sidelines, but he has chosen baseball and good luck to him. Just don't criticize the staff for this. geez

    Oldcarlcat

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