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JoJo Kemp

  • Saw him at a combine in Orlando last spring and thought he was exceptionally athletic. Watched his junior film and thought someone would get an excellent back. Then, I had a chance to catch his game against Sandalwood on television this past season and thought he had taken in to the next level.

    He can be similar to Rafael Little. Not quite as fast as little, but a better runner between the tackles. His strength is his balance and he has good vision.

    Getting he and Badet both were huge for UK and for Florida recruiting IMO. It's been an excellent run for Mark Stoops and staff since they've arrived in Lexington.

    E-mail: jc@247Sports.com/Twitter: @jcshurburtt/Instagram jcshurburtt

    JC Shurburtt ●

  • One thing I will add on Kemp, he is also capable of being a check down back and receiver. Nice option to have against SEC blitzes.

    This post was edited by Chris Nee on 2/1/2013 at 6:37 PM

    Chris Nee of 247Sports.com. You can follow me on twitter @CNee247.

    Chris Nee ●

  • Thanks for the input guys. Can you feel the excitement? It is cursing thru the BBNs veins!

    msdcatfan

  • Thanks guys! Nice to see that 247sports is seeing what Coach Stoops is bringing to the BBN.

    Packman1962 ●

  • I was sold when I watched him go for 220+ and 2 TD against an athletic Sandalwood defense.

    JDHoss

  • Watching his highlight videos he looks faster than Little to me. Strong, balanced, and takes contact well. I love his vision and elusiveness too.

    signature image

    Stoopified!

    cobbycobb

  • JC Shurburtt said...

    Saw him at a combine in Orlando last spring and thought he was exceptionally athletic. Watched his junior film and thought someone would get an excellent back. Then, I had a chance to catch his game against Sandalwood on television this past season and thought he had taken in to the next level.

    He can be similar to Rafael Little. Not quite as fast as little, but a better runner between the tackles. His strength is his balance and he has good vision.

    Getting he and Badet both were huge for UK and for Florida recruiting IMO. It's been an excellent run for Mark Stoops and staff since they've arrived in Lexington.

    If he's slower than Little was, it's not by much, if at all, IMO. Kid looks like he can fly!

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

    BigBlueTopper ●

  • cobbycobb said...

    Watching his highlight videos he looks faster than Little to me. Strong, balanced, and takes contact well. I love his vision and elusiveness too.

    I was thinking the same thing. If memory serves, Little wasn't blazing fast with the ball in his hands, but he was elusive. Had excellent hands and was a patient runner who had good wiggle. I think JoJo has better acceleration. He's got another gear he can hit if he needs to.

    This post has been edited 2 times, most recently by BigBlueTopper on 2/1/2013 at 7:20 PM

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

    BigBlueTopper ●

  • Kemp is supposed to be crazy quick but lacks breakaway speed. Basically he'll get plenty of 20 yd runs and make plenty of players miss tackles, but it will be harder to take it 60-80 yds on one play. I think, if Kemp had the top end speed he'd be a 4* across all recruiting sites.......but as of now he is shorter, stocky, great balance, great hands, great quickness. His skill set is similar to how Ray Rice is able to play.

    BlueRaider22

  • His quickness is like Pitino at Porchinis... quicker than quick through the hole and he hits the hole hard. just sayin'

    signature image

    Stoopified!

    cobbycobb

  • BlueRaider22 said...

    Kemp is supposed to be crazy quick but lacks breakaway speed. Basically he'll get plenty of 20 yd runs and make plenty of players miss tackles, but it will be harder to take it 60-80 yds on one play. I think, if Kemp had the top end speed he'd be a 4* across all recruiting sites.......but as of now he is shorter, stocky, great balance, great hands, great quickness. His skill set is similar to how Ray Rice is able to play.

    I think a lot of that probably stems from fatigue. Being the featured RB and carrying the ball a lot in the Florida humidity would probably wear anyone down. And, I'm sure he probably doesn't eat properly right now. Once he gets to UK and gets in a S&C program, look out!

    This post was edited by BigBlueTopper on 2/1/2013 at 7:26 PM

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

    BigBlueTopper ●

  • These South Florida fans seem to be a bit upset

    Kemp to Kentucky

    He committed tonight

    southflorida.247sports.com

    Naterunstheworld.blogspot.com facebook.com/NateRunsTheWorld Twitter - @NTHrunstheworld

    catsfan19 ●

  • BigBlueTopper said...

    I think a lot of that probably stems from fatigue. Being the featured RB and carrying the ball a lot in the Florida humidity would probably wear anyone down. And, I'm sure he probably doesn't eat properly right now. Once he gets to UK and gets in a S&C program, look out!

    That may be. Saw a report that he runs around a 4.65 forty and is more quicker than fast. Which is probably not laser timed, so it's likely very inaccurate. With proper training, nutrition, and strengthening he could get down to the 4.5-4.55 range. He probably won't end up sub 4.4 like Locke, but Kemp might be able to hang with Locke for the first 10-20 yds.

    There is absolutely nothing wrong with that. I would absolutely want vision, quickness, and balance over pure speed for a RB.

    BlueRaider22

  • BlueRaider22 said...

    Kemp is supposed to be crazy quick but lacks breakaway speed. Basically he'll get plenty of 20 yd runs and make plenty of players miss tackles, but it will be harder to take it 60-80 yds on one play. I think, if Kemp had the top end speed he'd be a 4* across all recruiting sites.......but as of now he is shorter, stocky, great balance, great hands, great quickness. His skill set is similar to how Ray Rice is able to play.

    The films that I saw when he got through the line NO ONE caught up with him so I don't know about the breakaway speed thing because he is fast and faster. Plus he broke tackles which is a real plus.

    UKlaw82

  • BigBlueTopper said...

    If he's slower than Little was, it's not by much, if at all, IMO. Kid looks like he can fly!

    Kemp has elite acceleration. Dosnt hurt that he's fearless..that whole..looks like he got shot out of a cannon..thats a blend of fearlessness and acceleration. I will take a kid with 4.5 speed and elite acceleration over a kid with 4.4 speed and average acceleration anyday. Kemp is tougher than Little too..or at least he looks like it on tape. Little was a slippery east-west runner..Kemp is more of an explosive..make 1 cut and get north-south and hit the jets type. There are advantages and drawbacks to both types..but for my money..id take the north-south guy with the accel and fearlessness!!

    BigBlueDawg12

  • BlueRaider22 said...

    That may be. Saw a report that he runs around a 4.65 forty and is more quicker than fast. Which is probably not laser timed, so it's likely very inaccurate. With proper training, nutrition, and strengthening he could get down to the 4.5-4.55 range. He probably won't end up sub 4.4 like Locke, but Kemp might be able to hang with Locke for the first 10-20 yds.

    There is absolutely nothing wrong with that. I would absolutely want vision, quickness, and balance over pure speed for a RB.

    I would put Kemp at 4.4 Derrick Locke was a 4.27 runner. Kemp is probably a high 4.4 kid..a 4.48 type..but his acceleration is elite..you are right about that. You can never go by those 40 times on the player pages..RYan Timmons showed 4.5 then 4.4. Hes faster than that. And you never know if that 40 time was when the player was hurt..or a freshman. I guarantee you Kemp is much faster in the 40 than 4.60 I would be shocked if hes not at least a 4.48..just by some of the long runs when hes pulling away from Florida high school defenses.
    BUt ups for your wanting vision quickness and balance over pure speed..that is very very true!!

    BigBlueDawg12

  • BigBlueDawg12 said...

    Kemp has elite acceleration. Dosnt hurt that he's fearless..that whole..looks like he got shot out of a cannon..thats a blend of fearlessness and acceleration. I will take a kid with 4.5 speed and elite acceleration over a kid with 4.4 speed and average acceleration anyday. Kemp is tougher than Little too..or at least he looks like it on tape. Little was a slippery east-west runner..Kemp is more of an explosive..make 1 cut and get north-south and hit the jets type. There are advantages and drawbacks to both types..but for my money..id take the north-south guy with the accel and fearlessness!!

    Nailed it. +1

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

    BigBlueTopper ●

  • Chris Nee said...

    One thing I will add on Kemp, he is also capable of being a check down back and receiver. Nice option to have against SEC blitzes.

    Chris..any chance you could give us a legit 40 time for Kemp?? Or add your 2 cents? Im guessing 4.48ish..with elite acceleration and fearlessness being his main assets. Kid can catch the ball well too..hes more of a make 1 cut and get north-south right?

    BigBlueDawg12

  • BlueRaider22 said...

    That may be. Saw a report that he runs around a 4.65 forty and is more quicker than fast. Which is probably not laser timed, so it's likely very inaccurate. With proper training, nutrition, and strengthening he could get down to the 4.5-4.55 range. He probably won't end up sub 4.4 like Locke, but Kemp might be able to hang with Locke for the first 10-20 yds.

    There is absolutely nothing wrong with that. I would absolutely want vision, quickness, and balance over pure speed for a RB.

    Quicks are a hell of a lot different when you have the ball in your hand...I agree with everything you said. You could be a blazer in the 40 but that doesn't mean you have field vision...Randall Cobb comes to mind. It's amazing how fast you look when you can actually see a play develop.

    rob65

  • Just wait till this kid puts on 10 to 20 pounds of muscle, will be a nightmare with our backfield

    Why so serious?

    morbidky84 ●

  • BigBlueDawg12 said...

    I would put Kemp at 4.4 Derrick Locke was a 4.27 runner. Kemp is probably a high 4.4 kid..a 4.48 type..but his acceleration is elite..you are right about that. You can never go by those 40 times on the player pages..RYan Timmons showed 4.5 then 4.4. Hes faster than that. And you never know if that 40 time was when the player was hurt..or a freshman. I guarantee you Kemp is much faster in the 40 than 4.60 I would be shocked if hes not at least a 4.48..just by some of the long runs when hes pulling away from Florida high school defenses. BUt ups for your wanting vision quickness and balance over pure speed..that is very very true!!

    Dude are you hosting combines that people don't know about or what. Can you just refrain from guessing on 40 times. Especially when you put peoples 40 times in the 4.2's. Locke might run in the 4.2's on a track without pads, without a ball in his hands on a sunny day, and with wind behind him. Other than that this is football we're talking about.

    tWhit

  • He told Steve Jones he ran a 4.39...if that's legit, that's nasty.

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

    BigBlueTopper ●

  • Doubt thats legit but it doesn't matter. The kid is a great football player. How many times throughout a game do running backs hit top speed. Maybe a couple times at most. Plus you've got DB's in the SEC that are almost always gonna be faster than RB's. The key for a RB is to have good balance, vision, acceleration, etc. Top end speed is way down the list. Kemp is a small guy but that can play to his advantage between the trees. He can almost hide and then hit a hole and surprise defenders. This kid right now is not even close to what he'll be in 2-3 years after time in a proper S&C and nutrition program. He's got the talent for the coaches to mold him. What I liked about his tape was his ability to run routes. He also blocked well for a little guy. I hope we pull Timmons as well because this guy in the backfield, Timmons in the slot, Sweat, Blue and Collins on the outside. Look the hell out. Thats some serious talent and we've got an accurate QB in Max Smith to spread it around.

    tWhit

  • tWhit said...

    Dude are you hosting combines that people don't know about or what. Can you just refrain from guessing on 40 times. Especially when you put peoples 40 times in the 4.2's. Locke might run in the 4.2's on a track without pads, without a ball in his hands on a sunny day, and with wind behind him. Other than that this is football we're talking about.

    I know that. Do you think any 40 times are pads on? When you see college kids at the NFl running 40's..are they in pads? You can check..with whomever..derrick Locke WAS a 4.2 40 guy..so was Alphonso Smith. Im not guessing. And for the record..Kemps listed 40 time in his 2012 highlights is 4.39..and the kid looks like he does have that type speed..he plays in Florida..where there is tons of speed..and he looks like the fastest kid on the field..

    BigBlueDawg12

  • tWhit said...

    Doubt thats legit but it doesn't matter. The kid is a great football player. How many times throughout a game do running backs hit top speed. Maybe a couple times at most. Plus you've got DB's in the SEC that are almost always gonna be faster than RB's. The key for a RB is to have good balance, vision, acceleration, etc. Top end speed is way down the list. Kemp is a small guy but that can play to his advantage between the trees. He can almost hide and then hit a hole and surprise defenders. This kid right now is not even close to what he'll be in 2-3 years after time in a proper S&C and nutrition program. He's got the talent for the coaches to mold him. What I liked about his tape was his ability to run routes. He also blocked well for a little guy. I hope we pull Timmons as well because this guy in the backfield, Timmons in the slot, Sweat, Blue and Collins on the outside. Look the hell out. Thats some serious talent and we've got an accurate QB in Max Smith to spread it around.

    This^^^ and dont forget about AJ Legree..that kid made some big boy catches for us last year..and at 6'1 190 LeGree was Floridas high jump champ 2 or 3 years running. WE do have some serious weapons now..I agree 100% +1

    BigBlueDawg12

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