Well, that was a nice couple of months. After finding out that Lamar Dawson and Jon Davis were not bringing their talents to Lexington on National Signing Day, I went to my bedroom and cried and went into a short hibernation.  I woke up a month and half later and a lot of things had happened. Apparently coach Joker Phillips and his coaching staff landed what is probably the most talented recruiting class in the history of Wildcat Football.

A few names you might want to get familiar with include Daryl Collins (who originally committed to Alabama but was snatched away by Tee Martin), Bookie Cobbins (best nickname in college football), Glenn Faulkner, Bubba Tandy (whose 1 point helped lead Christian County to the KHSAA Sweet Sixteen Title), Shaq Love(best real name in college football), Max Smith and Zach West.

Also, spring practice in officially underway and Coach Joker Phillips blessed us with a few nuggets of information that you need to know.

• Kentucky does not have a “Wildcat” package in the offense as of right now. As everyone knows, we also do not have a Randall Cobb on the roster as of right now. Rumors are that the UK staff told Bubba Tandy that he would possibly step into the Wildcat roll that Cobb filled during his three years in Lexington. Phillips did say that he thought that Morgan Newton’s scrambling ability would offset the loss of the Wildcat sets from last year.
• Morgan Newton is currently listed as the first team quarterback and that comes as no surprise. The coaching staff is excited to see Max Smith, who has been on campus since December as a grayshirt. Smith was able to participate in some bowl practices and both Phillilps and QB coach Randy Sanders were impressed with his ability.
• Speculation is that with Rick Minter being added as co-defensive coordinator in the offseason, the Wildcats would switch over to a 3-4 defense, but Phillips says the team will primarily use the 4-3. He added that they will mix things up and ultimately want to have a 4-2-5 look to allow for more speed on the field. I for one wish we could petition the SEC to allow us to play 13 players on defense because Winston Guy is  usually on the ground and Mychal Bailey is usually busy celebrating big tackles that he makes after a 35-yard gain.
• Not like he really needed it, but Danny Trevathan has added 10-15 pounds. Phillips said he looks good. According to Phillips, he doesn’t have a man crush on Trevathan. I can’t confirm that my friend Tim Smith of www.tale8ers.com doesn’t have a man crush on Trevathan.

 

Needs Met: The Wildcats signed 4 D-Linemen.  DT Shaq Love really looks like he will be the only interior guy in the class, but Kentucky has two young DT’s on campus that are well over 300lbs that will be Sophomores next year.   They also signed two running backs, and Marcus Caffey looks ready to get plenty of carries next year.

At the WR position, the Wildcats signed 4 guys, and Daryl Collins was a recruit they grabbed away from Bama.  I know Bama fans will say he was going to get a greyshirt this year, but Collins wanted to play.  I think Collins will play for the Wildcats this year, and he may be the steal of this class.  He is a burner that can stretch the field.  Look for many True Freshmen to have a big impact for the Wildcats.

Biggest Get:  I thought about Collins, but Kentucky’s biggest get was easily Glenn Faulkner.  When the Wildcats have a prospect playing in a High School All American game that’s not in basketball, that’s a big deal.  Faulkner is projected as a Safety in college, but he can play any Defensive Back position.  I think Faulkner is a starter on Defense at some point next season (if not Day 1).

Biggest Miss: This one is pretty easy.  Lamar Dawson, one of the top Linebackers in the nation in 2011 was from Kentucky.  Dawson would have easily started for the Wildcats next year, and many thought they had him.  In a signing day surprise, Dawson went to USC, and left his home state.

Final Evaluation: With the loss of Locke, Matthews, and Cobb, the Wildcats lost 3571yds of offensive production.   Even with those guys, operation win was still a fail, because the Cats went 6-7 in 2010.  This class is pretty good, but I don’t see that kind of offensive production on campus or in this class.  Needs were met as far as numbers, but Kentucky needed a few more high caliber players.

Final Grade:  C

Nick Brassell – Ole Miss

Brent Calloway – Alabama

Jadeveon Clowney – USC

Daryl Collins – UK

Isaiah Crowell – UGA (I really don’t have a feeling either way.  I would say UGA beats out Bama 51/49)

Lamar Dawson – Tenn

Timmy Jernigan – FSU

Cyrus Kouandjio – Alabama

Jeoffrey Pagan – Alabama

Jemauria Rasco – LSU

Antonio Richardson – TENN

Robenson Therezie – Auburn (Only reason he is on this list is because of rumors of him flipping)

Marcus Roberson – UF

Jermaine Whitehead – Auburn (because Roberson decommitted)

Gabe Wright – Auburn

Also note:  Something may happen with James Wilder today.  Don’t know for sure, but right now his Solid Verbal to FSU could be a little Rocky on Top.

***Like I said guys don’t bet on these, but this is the best I could do as of right now.

He is a 3-Start WR and originally committed to Alabama but changed his mind after the Crimson Tide asked him to grayshirt.

Collins is a teammate of a former UK commit Alonzo Harris, the second rated FB in the country. Harris changed his commitment to Louisiana-Lafayette but took a trip to Kentucky this past weekend and has also drawn interest from Louisville and Tennessee. Let’s see if Collins’ decision has any bearing on his teammate.