I think Jasper Johnson is fully capable of reaching fears' level, and if that happens, we'll be unstoppable next year. Johnson has great athleticism, solid handles, and a decent shooting touch. I believe he has the potential to contribute at a level similar to fears.

Thinking of buying a Tele or Tele-style guitar. I play blues, country rock and classic rock. I'm thinking right now either a HS or even HH configuration as I have a hard time with the single pole hum and the twang of the bridge SP. I'm not going to spend 1000s on a custom Fender. Have perused the Squier 70s vintage with the HS and they've received solid reviews. Have played on a 9.5" radius Tele and the neck felt great, which is one reason I'm leaning that way now. I know other guitar brands have their own version but have almost no knowledge of how they sound

1. Anyone play a P-90 Tele and, if so, pros and cons?
2. Non-Fender Tele style you'd recommend?
3. Is a Tele even the right guitar for what I play or should I look elsewhere?

Two SS amps (Peavey and Blackstar) with several pedals although I believe less is more.

All advice is welcome. Thanks.

Hello HOB. The UK softball team will be having media day on Tuesday in conjunction with the basketball team, so it seems like a good time to start a new season thread and pin it. Looking forward to talking about Lawson's Cats with you guys again this season!

2025 MEDIA GUIDE LINK

Here's who we're scheduled to speak with on Tuesday...

McKenzie Bump, Senior, INF

• Transferred in from Ohio State University this offseason and will spend her final season with Kentucky
• A career .300 hitter for the Buckeyes, where she clubbed 21 doubles, a pair of triples and seven home runs
• Last season had a .410 on-base percentage in Big Ten games with a .336 batting average in conference games

Hallie Mitchell, Senior, C

• Scored 15 runs last season with two doubles and three RBI
• Saw significant playing time behind the plate as a catcher last season, working with all of Kentucky’s pitchers
• Voted as a team captain for the 2025 season

An “unexpected” 14 degree drop in temperature between 2003 and 2018. Neptune’s 40 earth-year summer is confusing researchers. They expected a gradual increase in temperatures. Then, between 2018 and 2020, there was a raise by 20 degrees. This kind of polar warming has never been seen on Neptune until now. Neptune’s average temp is a chilly -340 degree Fahrenheit. Researchers still don’t know what is causing the temperature shifts.

Tee Higgins with the franchise tag again. Sam Hubbard announced his retirement yesterday. Alex Cappa was cut earlier in the week. What are we looking forward to in free agency and the draft?

They struggle to sign the stars that are already on their team, so they will probably go cheap or heavily discounted in free agency. Bringing Joey Bosa back to Ohio would be amazing, but I'm dreaming.

They have the 17th pick in the NFL Draft. Several pundits expect them to put another weapon around Burrow. I would love to see one of Ashton Jeanty or Tyler Warren fall in their lap, but I also wouldn't be disappointed with Colston Loveland (TE from Michigan). There are some very nice WRs expected to be available in the second round this year as it looks like they are already going to need to replace Jermaine Burton.

What else you got?

Its 1:26 AM and Indiana still sucks.

What was the thought process on deleting the thread that chronicled the entire Covid fiasco?

I wonder how many other consolidated years long records like that exist on the internet.

What has been your go to music these last few weeks?

Spring training is underway, and the first game is just over a week away.

2024 was a disappointment, primarily due to injuries, a crap bullpen, and terrible game and roster management by David Bell. Despite all of those and an awful record, they still had a positive run differential, meaning there were several wins left on the table.

2025 brings another year of experience for the talented, but young roster, a much improved bullpen, the return of Matt McClain, a legit 5-man rotation, and perhaps most importantly the addition of Terry Francona. I think 90 wins and a wild card slot are on the table, and I don't think that's a hot take. ESPN ranks them as the most improved team in the MLB heading into the season.

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Plus they have that one fast guy

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Still not sure what the best way to watch them is. I think you can subscribe through the MLB network this season and get all of the games for $19.99/mo or $99.99/season. Think I'd rather do that than get Fubo again this summer. YouTubeTV is the far superior product, but doesn't have FanDuel Network (formerly Bally). Just not sure about blackouts on MLB network.

It is a fact, not an opinion, that UK's football program took a backward step in 2024. It isn't as simple as it sounds, but it is true. It is also true that 3-4 more properly executed plays could have won the GA game on Sept 14, the Vandy game on Oct 12, and perhaps even the TN game on Nov 2. I don't say that to minimize the negative impact of the season. Again, it's just a fact, and it shows that this football program might not be as far from coping as it may seem from the record. A lesson we have learned in the past is that the difference between successful and unsuccessful seasons can boil down to as little as 10-20 plays. Again, 2024 highlighted the critical importance of winning in the trenches. It is simply a fact that our OL did not play winning football and our DL did not hold up.

So there has been an offseason discussion about whether our coaches have accomplished enough with the transfer portal to reshape our roster. My opinion is that our 2025 roster is significantly improved.

The problem is that 14 of UK's 19 inbound transfers will apparently use up their eligibility in 2025. That includes almost all of the projected starters among the transfers. So, while our 2025 roster appears significantly improved, Coach Stoops and his staff will need to undertake a similar rebuild through the portal again a year from now. Let me give an example. Kendrick Law or Troy Stellato may be every bit as effective for us (if not more so) than Hardley Gilmore would have been. But Gilmore has 4 years of eligibility left, whereas Law and Stellato will be gone after 2025. FWIW, both projected starting OTs, Pete and Wollschlaeger, will also be gone after 2025. So it isn't just a question of whether our 2025 roster is better. (It clearly is.) The question is whether Stoops and his staff can do a better job every year of managing their roster than they have done recently. Maybe they can, but that must be proven in an environment of NIH, SEC expansion (TX, OK), and rules changes including inevitable expansion to 100+ scholarships. It's a tall order for a program in a small state bordering B10 country, and will clearly require more focus by all concerned including administration, coaches, fans, and corporate supporters. And since rules changes continue to constitute a moving target, innovation will be more critical than ever.

Let's segue to comparisons of starting lineup and rotation projections.

QB

2024- Vandagriff, Wimsatt, Boley

2025- Calzada, Boley, Saunders

I was optimistic about Vandagriff, because Kirby Smart signed him. But his lack of playing experience hurt once our OL turned out subpar. I am also optimistic about Calzada but, again, everything starts upfront. I have no doubt Calzada is mentally tougher and more aggressive than Vandagriff. Vandagriff may have more skills on paper, but that's moot if he can't pull the trigger, or if he has no pocket.

RB

2024- Trayanum, DSM, Wilcox, Patterson

2025- Dowdell, Wilcox, Patterson, Mizell

The top of the 2024 rotation was experienced. Once Trayanum got hurt, OL inadequacies were reflected in RB performance. If the OL is better now, our running game should be a LOT better. It's about our OL.

TE

2024- Kattus, Dingle, Anderson, Rodriguez

2025- Kattus, Rodriguez, Boyer, Skinner

The comparison boils down to how improved Willie Rodriguez will be with a season of experience. I'm betting he will be much improved. Kattus is solid, tough, and experienced. Boyer looks mainly like a run blocking specialist. Skinner is a wildcard who could achieve more as a receiver in 2025 than we anticipate.

WR

2024- Brown, Key, Maclin, Farrier, Gilmore, ABS

2025- Stellato, Edwards, Hester, Law, Maclin, Farrier, Miller(s), Simmons

Losing Gilmore was a blow, because he has 4 years of eligibility. Losing Brown hurts at several levels although Brown was never a solid route runner. Losing Key and Shorts to NE was a reputational hit for Stoops. But, remarkably, our 2025 rotation is as good or better. Stellato and Edwards are legitimate X receivers. Law is a three-level threat. Hester has major size and upside. Maclin was underutilized in 2024 and has something to prove. Dejerrian Miller and Cam Miller are future starters.

OL

2024- Cox, Burton, Cox, Farmer, Mincey, Ray, Wood, Selm

2025- Pete, Braun, Wibberley, Farmer, Wollschlaeger, Burton, Wood, Unamba, Selm, Nave

Herein lies the most important difference between our 2024 and 2025 offenses. This is a much better OL. Our new OTs represent big improvements. On the inside, Braun is a great addition and Farmer has another year of experience. The SEC is a step up for Wibberley but Coach Wolford likes him. There is more quality depth now. Wood still has upside. Selm and Darrin Strey are future starters.

DL

2024- Silver, Walker, Hayes, Saunders, Rybka, Oxendine, DHY

2025- Hayes, Ramsey, Williams, Gusta, Saunders, DHY, Gadson, Gilbert, Edwards, Smith, Grace, Robinson

On paper, our 2024 DL was a strength. Then Hayes, DHY, and Gadson got hurt, while Walker and Silver underachieved. Our 2025 DL is deeper and arguably as good. Better depth means fresher players in 4th quarters of close games. Hayes, DHY, and Gadson are healthy now. Gusta and Grace were among the better defensive players in the portal. Smith is a future starter and Robinson has huge upside. Saunders is very underrated. Now healthy, Gadson could surprise.

LB

2024- Weaver, Jackson, JDJ, Afari, Fearbry, Matthews, Soles

2025- Olds, Watson, Rayner, Afari, Soles, Godfrey, Smith(s), Greene

Jackson and JDJ are difficult to replace. But our 2025 rotations are deeper. Watson and Olds are quality portal additions. Afari still has more upside and Rayner is underrated. The list of young LB talent is very impressive, but when will they be ready? Hopefully, soon. I have my eye on Grant Godfrey, Devin Smith, and Jacob Smith. Quintavion Norman and Antwan Smith are underrated prospects.

DB

2024- Childress, Lovett, Story, Bryant, Hairston, Hardaway, Dunn, Waller, Addison, Nichols, Dooley

2025- Lovett, Bryant, Dooley, Carter, Smith, Dunn, Scott, Hardaway, Waller, Nichols, Addison, Thomas

Losing Childress and Hairston is tough. But the depth of excellent young talent in our secondary is notable. Nichols and Carter look like future all SEC players. Hardaway, Dunn, Addison, and Waller are experienced returnees. Not much has been said so far about Quaysheed Scott and Jaden Smith, but they were two of the highest rated recruits in last year's class. True freshman CB Andrew Purcell is the highest rated recruit in the incoming class.

Special teams

Losing Brown and Raynor hurts. But punter Aidan Laros is back, so the all important field position game is in good hands. It is being said that Coach Boulware really likes new placekicker Jacob Kauwe. Kendrick Law was a dangerous punt returner at AL so he somewhat limits the damage done by losing Brown.

Meanwhile, I am recovering from another surgery and looking forward to spring practice. I don't worry about schedules. The schedule takes care of itself. Playing in the SEC means bringing your A game every week. UK didn't do that in 2024, so results reflected that. Rumors persist that there were big problems in our locker room, and that the large list of portal departures reflects the staff's response to that. Not every departure was a locker room problem, but some were. Coach Stoops has now reshaped his team and obviously intends to restore the culture we had here in 2018. He is right to try. I think the pieces are there now. But, again, football seasons usually boil down to a relatively small number of pivotal plays. When we beat Ole Miss, we executed those pivotal plays. For the most part, that didn't happen for the rest of the season, largely because our QB, OL, DL didn't get the job done. Now, almost all of those jobs are being reassigned. If not literally the most important season in Stoops' career, this will certainly be one of them. This time, four wins won't get it done. But, again, the pieces are there to do much better. Is the culture more conducive for success this time? I remain optimistic. Does Mitch Barnhart have Jon Sumrall on speed dial? I really don't know. But that isn't too farfetched this time. I just hope for the best and keep up my contributions to 15.

The latest, in a seemingly endless string of Taylor Sheridan TV shows.

I quit watching Yellowstone after the 3rd season. Not that I hated, but I just kind of lost interest.

I've watched the first 4 episodes of Landman. Billy Bob is doing "Billy Bob", Don Draper quit the ad game and bought an oil company, and all women in Texas are developmentally stunted, ie. emotional middle schoolers.

Like Yellowstone though, it's entertaining to a point, but just like the food at Fazoli's, it's all the same thing, it's just a different shape.

What do you predict will happen in the first couple episodes? Someone is shown getting pushed off that cliff at the train station and Beth is seen confronting the woman who seduced Jamie, who is also shown punching Jamie in the previews.

Let's start a Stock Advice thread where posters can drop stock tips for each other and dissect each others investments. I will start.


For all you value investors out there, there is a really good play in Gilead Sciences GILD. They are currently trading at only 7.2X their earnings. They have a dividend yield of 2.3%. The payout ration is tiny at 15% so the dividend is more than safe. Their Hepatitis C business is declining, but it will be a cash cow for years to come. They have new HIV drugs in the pipeline and a possible cure for non-alcoholic fatty liver coming as well.

This is not a buy and sell soon, this is something to add to your IRA and set on it for 10 years. Good luck and do your own research before buying!!!

With the #1 pick in the NFL Draft, then Tennessee Titans should draft...?

I shake my head everytime I see a pundit suggest the Titans should take either Cam Ward or Shedeur Sanders. This is not a good QB class, neither are ready to step right in, and I don't expect either to have the best QB career out of this draft. My money would be on Jaxson Dart or Will Howard to have a better career over Ward or Sanders. Titans need to roll with Levis one more year and hope he turns a corner, draft best available, maybe get a QB in the 3rd/4th, and then see what happens if somebody like Arch Manning is within reach next year.

I personally think they should try to trade down and accumulate more picks. Abdul Carter seems to be a popular choice among draft analysts, but the Titans have to build around so many needs.

What are your thoughts, Titans fans?

I don't necessarily believe UK's coaches are getting close yet to getting the first commitment in their 2026 class. But they have already given out a bunch of 2026 scholarship offers (see below), and we are getting into the early part of a time frame when the first 2026 commitment could happen. In any case, there are a lot of legitimate 2026 prospects for us to discuss on a new thread.

Here is a list of 2026 prospects known based on public information to have received UK offers. This is surely not a complete list. It is way too early to know where any of these players will end up. Just starting the conversation here.

Zakir Abdul-Salaam, LB, Powder Springs, GA
Tre Aiken, OL, Clinton, SC
Carsyn Baker, RB, Fairburn, GA
Adam Balogoum-Ali, LB, N Palm Beach, FL
Brandon Bennett, WR, Ft Lauderdale, FL
Kamari Blair, DL, Clarksville, TN
Javar Bowden, ATH, Panama City, FL
Jabari Brady, ATH, Hollywood, FL
Jaydin Broadnax, DB, Boca Raton, FL
Cam Brooks, LB, Thomasville, GA
Ace Brown, ATH, Akron, OH
Bryshawn Brown, QB, Cincinnati, OH
Davion Brown, WR, Richmond, VA
Daniel Burns, OL, Montgomery, AL
Naeem Burroughs, ATH, Jacksonville, FL
Simeon Caldwell, DB, Jacksonville, FL
Chancellor Campbell, OL, St Petersburg, FL
Khalief Canty, OL, Detroit, MI
Devin Carter, WR, Ellenwood, GA
Jordan Carter, LB, Douglasville, GA
Kasiyah Charleton, OL, Brunswick, GA
Jakobe Clapper, LB, Cincinnati, OH
Andre Clarke, DB, Richmond, VA
Amari Clemons, RB, Marianna, FL
Vodney Cleveland, DL, Prattville, AL
William Conroy, OL, Cleveland, OH
Payton Cook, WR, Akron, OH
Jordan Crutchfield, DB, Ft Pierce, FL
J'Zavien Currence, LB, Rock Hill, SC
Markel Dabney, ATH, Richmond, VA
Marquez Daniel, ATH, Tuskegee, AL
Kentrell Davis, WR, Birmingham, AL
Titan Davis, LB, St Louis, MO
Scottland Dover, OL, Gaffney, SC
Jorden Edmonds, DB, Marietta, GA
Jireh Edwards, DB, Baltimore, MD
Zion Elee, LB, Poppa, MD
Justice Fitzpatrick, ATH, Ft Lauderdale, FL
Duyon Forkpa, LB, Hoschton, GA
Deuce Geralds, DL, Suwanee, GA
Kamdon Gillespie, DL, Mooresville, NC
Darius Gray, OL, Richmond, VA
Desmond Green, OL, St Stephen, SC
Aaron Gregory, WR, Douglasville, GA
Xavier Griffin, ATH, Gainesville, GA
Zach Groves, LB, Cross Plains, TN
Adam Guthrie, OL, Washington CH, OH
Kaiden Hall, DB, Milton, FL
Sam Hamilton, TE, Cincinnati, OH
Eli Hamrick, QB, Ashville, NC
Marlon Harbin, ATH, Louisville, KY
Kaden Harris, DB, Brownsville, TN
Keenan Harris, DB, St Louis, MO
Kendre Harrison, TE, Reidsville, NC
George Haseotas, OL, Naples, FL
Calerbe Hermane, ATH, Ft Lauderdale, FL
Allen Hill, WR, Youngstown, OH
Elbert Hill, DB, Akron, OH
Devyon Hill-Lomax, WR, Edwardsville, IL
Savion Hiter, RB, Mineral, VA
Elijah Hutchinson, OL, Roanoke, VA
Michael Ionata, OL, Clearwater, FL
Brody Jennings, DB, Jacksonville, FL
Anthony Jones, LB, Mobile, AL
Ja'Michael Jones, RB, Pike Road, AL
Cincere Johnson, LB, Cleveland, OH
Sean Johnson DB, Severn, MD
Chauncey Kennon, DB, Sarasota, FL
Heze Kent, TE, Brunswick, GA
Tyreek King, ATH, Knoxville, TN
Breck Kolojay, OL, Bradenton, FL
Robert Lathon, RB, Columbus, OH
Amari Latimer, ATH, Tyrone, GA
Zion Legree, ATH, Pensacola, FL
Ronald Lunz, ATH, Ratcliff, KY
Justin Lyles, DB, Cincinnati, OH
Javian Mallory, RB, Baton Rouge, LA
Samari Matthews, ATH, Cornelius, NC
Dylan McCoy, RB, Buford, GA
Iverson McCoy, ATH, Tupelo, MS
JaReylan McCoy, DL, Tupelo, MS
Nassir McCoy, DB, Buford, GA
Cooper McCutchan, TE, Cincinnati, OH
Jesiyah Miguel, DB, FT Lauderdale, FL
Storm Miller, LB, Strongsville, OH
Landen Miree, ATH, Cincinnati, OH
Malik Morris, LB, Lakeland, FL
James Morrow, LB, Buford, GA
Ryan Mosley, WR, Carrollton, GA
Chris Newell, ATH, Cleveland, OH
Daniel Norman, LB, Ft Lauderdale, FL
Cam O'Hara, QB, Union, KY
Javian Osborne, RB, Forney, TX
Gabriel Osenda, OL, Chattanooga, TN
Zantreacs Otey, DB, Murfreesboro, TN
Jamar Owens, DB, Jonesboro, GA
Andre Parker, ATH, Cincinnati, OH
Milan Parris, WR, Stow, OH
Gregory Patrick, OL, Portage, MI
David Pellman, OL, Louisville, KY
Bryce Perry-Wright, ATH, Buford, GA
Eli Pietrowski, ATH, Corbin, KY
Kaiden Prothro, LB, Bowdon, GA
Dawson Quarterman, WR, Ft Lauderdale, FL
Cortez Redding, DB, Jonesboro, GA
Maxwell Riley, OL, Avon Lake, OH
Bryce Robinson, LB, Marietta, GA
Donel Robinson, OL, Lexington, MS
Jarius Rodgers, LB, Orange Park, FL
Hakim Satterwhite, DB, Washington, DC
Keeyshawn Schneider, WR, Chattanooga, TN
JB Shabazz, OL, Winston Salem, NC
CJ Sibley, DB, Buford, GA
Derrick Singletary, LB, Middletown, OH
Victor Singleton, DB, Toledo, OH
Chaston Smith, DB, Knoxville, TN
Javonte Smith, WR, Jackson, TN
Micah Smith, OL, Vero Beach, FL
KD Smith, ATH, Charlotte, NC
Carson Sneed, ATH, Nashville, TN
Dylan Steen, OL, Ft Lauderdale, FL
Jarvis Strickland, OL, Paducah, KY
Jardon Stringer, ATH, Lagrange, GA
Aaryn Tate, ATH, McLeansville, NC
Malachi Taylor ATH, Pickerington, OH
Cam Thomas, ATH, W Chester, OH
Camron Thompson, OL, Savannah, GA
Xavier Tiller, ATH, Fairburn, GA
Craig Tutt, DB, Murfreesboro, TN
Jordan Vann, ATH, Middletown, OH
Marcello Vitti, ATH, Dearborn, MI
Jeff Ward, WR, Cleveland, OH
Joel Wyatt, WR, Bell Buckle, TN
Jontavius Wyman, ATH, Jonesboro, GA