Bowles to UK

[aikenite4uk]

The portal's been pretty good to us. This staff has shown they're pretty shrewd talent evaluators. At worst he provides some much needed depth on the OL.

 

[OMUKreb]

Better check the records on Jones and Smith at Ole Miss. He played extensively as freshman and sophomore-leading tackler that year-under Luke- when Kiffin/Durkin arrived in 20 his playing time declined and he was slated for 3rd string heading to 21. That’s why he entered portal. Same situation with Smith-starter in 19, playing time declined in 20/21- started being used as safety and nickel caused they had better corners, with safety they had coming in this year from Iowa state Smith entered portal. He had good year this year for UK - made 2nd team this year. You might want to check facts before you post. But the point of my post was that those two really helped Uk so let’s give Tanner a chance before some guys say he’s third string and he can’t help. Maybe he will contribute like Jones/Smith.

 

[JonathanW]

Didn’t he play like 60 snaps all season on offense? And he got passed up on the two deep depth chart.

So I’d say good for depth but not necessarily a starter.

Did you not see how bad our OL was?

 

[Soupbean]

It's good news, but I would caution fans not to make more of this than it is. He was a "four star" and he went to AL. To some, then, this will make him seem like an impact player. But Bowles is an interior lineman, not an OT. Competition is always good. We have Burton, Bingham, Rodriguez, and possibly Horsey coming back at OG. If Horsey comes back, he will start at OG next year. If Horsey does not come back, then Bowles might win the RG job. I realize there is a component of our fan base that has already passed judgment on Burton as a redshirt freshman. But Burton is going to be an excellent SEC player, and this year is just the hardest part of his early learning curve. I doubt Bowles can beat out Burton, but that is what spring practice is for. Another possibility would be having Bowles compete with Cox for the starting C job. Quality competition only helps. Worst case, Bowles would be important interior depth piece. He has 2 more years of eligibility, so that is nice. Good to have him. May or may not be an upgrade compared to John Young, but time will tell.

I'm one that agrees Burton will eventually show out, just too go an athlete not to.

 

[Soupbean]

Kavosiey Smoke, John Young, Chauncey Magwood, and Chris Lewis are the only UK players to hit the portal so far who might have played significant roles in 2023. With Tanner Bowles coming in, the loss of Young is moot now. With Shamar Porter coming, we will be getting another prodigy at WR, and I strongly suspect Stoops will get a couple of receivers out of the portal. The RB situation is a concern for our bowl game, but I expect multiple RBs who will contribute in 2023 to come in the recruiting class and through the portal. I just hope one of them is an alpha dog.

I thought McClain's improvement was one of the brighter spots down the stretch for us. That and Childress play on D

 

[maysvilleky]

Did you not see how bad our OL was?

Not disputing that…but how do we know if Bowles is any better?

 

[Fox2monk]

Kavosiey Smoke, John Young, Chauncey Magwood, and Chris Lewis are the only UK players to hit the portal so far who might have played significant roles in 2023. With Tanner Bowles coming in, the loss of Young is moot now. With Shamar Porter coming, we will be getting another prodigy at WR, and I strongly suspect Stoops will get a couple of receivers out of the portal. The RB situation is a concern for our bowl game, but I expect multiple RBs who will contribute in 2023 to come in the recruiting class and through the portal. I just hope one of them is an alpha dog.

Damn Smoke left? I figured he would be in line for a lot of touches next year.