Yup, not to diminish Walker’s ability, but last year our Oline couldn’t block anybody either. Also, I hope Walker’s stamina is better this year than last. We could use him out there for more snaps.
I believe he was rated as a 3-star prospect coming out of HS which just goes to show that ratings can’t always predict talent, etc.
My guess is that Walker was literally just so much bigger than HS opponents. It may have been tough to judge how he would do against top competition.
I think he was a Rivals 4 star.
Might? He's gonna be a high draft pick after 3 years, plan on him being gone and let yourself be very pleasantly surprised if he isn't
I say might because you never know what to expect with the draft process, etc. I.e, what happened to Levis.
Rogers is good, but replaceable. Do not think Rogers and Anwar Stewart ever saw eye to eye. Rogers was full of himself. All the instant attention on Walker may have irked Rogers. I do not think Hayes had much to do with it, but would like to be wrong. The interesting part is that Rogers got sucked in by the snake oil salesman at AU.
He wanted $$$ via NIL and UK prioritized other (better) players over him as UK hash limited funds. Auburn offered him the $$$ he wanted so he went. Auburn has a couple boosters who will pay any amount to players that the coaches ask for.
I know AU pays athletes. AU has been in lots of trouble for it over the years. But AU is not paying Rogers. His NIL deal is with a private company.
Silver has a long ways to go to get to Justin Rogers level. He’s battling Dinkins for the #2 NG spot and is likely quite a bit behind in the race.
Dinkins can move for a big man. Expect him to be good this year and contribute more.
that was my thought. He didn't want to share snaps and he knew Deone wasn't getting less than 50% of the reps.
Does it sound like just a strength thing and not talent though? I have limited knowledge of him but what I saw he looked like he needed the weight room bad.
Lack of game experience, new system, conditioning. You name it. Yet another example of the dichotomy between online star ratings and actual performance. But he still has upside and multiple years of eligibility. If he puts in the effort, this coaching staff will make a player out of him. Zero tech does not require a high football IQ, but he will have to get stronger in the lower body and be a warrior.
I am not sure where the inconsistent messaging is coming from on Silver, but i have been told on two separate occasions he has been dominant at times.
At his size, I would hope so. But he isn't taking 1st team reps in practice, even with Hayes dinged up. IDK why this would surprise anyone.
Rogers has a year under his belt as a successful SEC starter. Silver has not accomplished anything at this level. Nobody doubts that Silver has upside. But until he actually performs, it's only potential. Silver is still a young player on a learning curve, and he is a zero tech in a 3-3-5 now. In Brad White's defense, nobody gets anything for star ratings. You earn the job in practice or you sit.
He most certainly has been in rotation with 1st team reps.
Check again. He isn't running 1st team. That doesn't mean he never will. But this is another case where fans see 5 stars, become mesmerized, and lose sight of what it takes to earn a starting job at UK. This player couldn't get on the field at an ACC school. With hard work, he will become a good player in our program. But until he is in playing shape, he is a project.
For clarity the schools have nothing to do with NIL, it comes from the private sector or individuals. Boosters at Auburn could have been a factor, although if the offered upfront money that's a violation.
