Damien Harris Rumors

[jauk11]

Originally posted by bigblueinsanity:

Originally posted by flyingkat:

He needs to look at Tim Couch and Shawn Alexander. Tim came to UK, was a legend for it, got hurt in the pros and makes bank on all the endorsements he gets because he is so beloved by the Big Blue Nation. Alexander went to Bama, had a great career there, a successful career in the pros, but is you never hear about any endorsement deals down there for him because he is just another in a long line of former Alabama players.

If Harris goes to UK, he will be able to retire on the endorsement deals he will get as a UK legend. If he goes to Alabama he'll be just another in a long line.

I get your point. But Shaun Alexander was the NFL mvp in 2005. And is number 7 overall in rushing tds in NFL history.

Like I said I get the point and agree with it. But this was not the best comparison out there.

I agree with flyingkat completely, don't know or care where Alexander is or what he is doing today, does anyone even know? I don't, but I know and appreciate what Couch is doing, and I'm pretty sure it is for a lot more money. Besides, anyone good enough to be drafted in the first round of the NFL draft shouldn't ever have to worry about money that much anyway, unless they get injured, and if Harris gets injured at Bama he will disappear fast, he will be a hero here just by commiting to us and improving our recruiting if he never plays a down.

The fact that Alexander was the MVP just makes it more obvious, and which one was the #1 pick in the draft? I couldn't remember his name the other day, anyone on here know where he lives and what he is doing today? I sure don't, and don't care.

 

[fuzz77]

Originally posted by flyingkat:

He needs to look at Tim Couch and Shawn Alexander. Tim came to UK, was a legend for it, got hurt in the pros and makes bank on all the endorsements he gets because he is so beloved by the Big Blue Nation. Alexander went to Bama, had a great career there, a successful career in the pros, but is you never hear about any endorsement deals down there for him because he is just another in a long line of former Alabama players.

If Harris goes to UK, he will be able to retire on the endorsement deals he will get as a UK legend. If he goes to Alabama he'll be just another in a long line.

I really doubt that Couch is getting that much richer off of any endorsements that are strictly Kentucky/UK based. Yes, he may appear in a commercial or two around the state. Believe me, they aren't writing big checks for those appearances. He can retire off of the money he made in the NFL and the additional money he makes off of Fox Sports. That would all be available to him regardless of where he went to school.

What's Micah Johnson doing these days? How about Dennis Johnson?
Point being, what status and pedestal any players will achieve will be dependent upon a million different factors. Athletes that are successful at most any school will have doors opened and opportunities. What happens from there depends upon how they take advantage and/or screw up those opportunities. Nobody who is a UK fan cares where Jamal Mashburn, Anthony Davis, Sam Bowie or Bud Dupree, Zadarious Smith, Moe Williams lived prior to being Wildcats just like Bama fans don't care from where their stars formerly called home.

The kid will make his decision and then team fan bases can choose to cheer or boo when he takes the field. When he steps off the field he's just another kid who you should wish well.

 

[UPSCat4080]

Hoping we get Harris, but if not.....ehhh. Boom Williams says hello. Yes the kid is the #1 back in the nation and yes it could have a huge impact on future recruiting, but if he goes to Bama it is not the end of the world. We have a great set of running backs and an improving offensive line. If Harris wants to go somewhere and sit the bench for three years then that is his choice. Boom will take all of the carries he is asked to and IMO put on just as good of a show as Harris would. Kid is a gamer.
Posted from Rivals Mobile

 

[JPFisher]

Current UK QB Drew Barker:

@D_Barker7: I didn't make my decision of where I was going to school until the night before.. Don't believe anything until @DHx34 tells us himself

------

Current UK 5* RB Recruit Damien Harris in reply mere minutes later:

@DHx34: @D_Barker7 I been tryna tell them bro!




You can all go back to your burning villages now. That is all.


Truthfully, that sounds VERY good for UK or that although he favors Bama now, it's far from over. One night can change a lot and so can a few weeks after. DO NOT THINK THIS THING IS OVER whether he picks UK or not.

 

[Desperado_1955]

I really hope he chooses UK, but I won't be mad at the kid if he chooses Bama. It's a career decision, pure and simple. Hopefully his heart will lead him here.

 

[KingOfBBN]

Originally posted by no_neutrality:

Yes but only Lacy has had any real impact with TR being somewhat of a bust.

I don't think their impact on the NFL matters as much as them being drafted in the first round. I know TRich and Ingram were first round and Lacy 2nd.

Its kind of like Cal mentioning how many players he has got drafted. No one cares that Teague, Orton, and Lamb haven't done anything. Its just that they got drafted.

 

[bigbluehomer]

Originally posted by Perrin75:


I really could use some inside info on strippers. Does he have a blog or a podcast on this?

In matters such as this, I've found that your own up close (very close, BTW) and personal research is usually the most informative. LOL!

BOT, trying not to buy the negative vides on DH, but it is starting to "not look good".

 

[fuzz77]

Originally posted by UPSCat4080:
Hoping we get Harris, but if not.....ehhh. Boom Williams says hello. Yes the kid is the #1 back in the nation and yes it could have a huge impact on future recruiting, but if he goes to Bama it is not the end of the world. We have a great set of running backs and an improving offensive line. If Harris wants to go somewhere and sit the bench for three years then that is his choice. Boom will take all of the carries he is asked to and IMO put on just as good of a show as Harris would. Kid is a gamer.
Posted from Rivals Mobile

Everybody needs to stop with the "if he goes there he'll sit the bench for 3 years". Did Mark Ingram...Trent Richardson...Derrick Henry or TJ Yeldon sit for 3 years? No, no...no and no. All 4 played as true freshmen...hell, Yeldon ran for over 1000 yds his freshman year.
If Damien has the NFL in his future then it is unlikely that he will sit 3 years, anywhere. If he isn't good enough to play there for 3 years then the truth is he wouldn't help UK all that much.

He is either as good as advertised and if so will succeed...or over-rated and not worth all of the hand wringing.

 

[bigblueinsanity]

TJ Yelden just announced he's entering the draft. Could impact the decision.

 

[Bank Cat]

Her crystal ball says 65% Griffindor, 35% Slytherin. Griffindor is known for putting its quidditch players in the pros...

Originally posted by That MGH Guy:

Originally posted by CoachR35:

Originally posted by Houstonwildcat:
J K Rowland tweeted UK was about to make a move on a 2015 RB committed elsewhere. An accompanying picture shows a RB from a "Fitch" HS. Anybody know who it might be? I have tried researching the database, but no luck.

Did she take time out from writing Harry Potter books to tweet about UK football recruiting?

 

[sluggercatfan]

Originally posted by fuzz77:

Originally posted by flyingkat:

He needs to look at Tim Couch and Shawn Alexander. Tim came to UK, was a legend for it, got hurt in the pros and makes bank on all the endorsements he gets because he is so beloved by the Big Blue Nation. Alexander went to Bama, had a great career there, a successful career in the pros, but is you never hear about any endorsement deals down there for him because he is just another in a long line of former Alabama players.

If Harris goes to UK, he will be able to retire on the endorsement deals he will get as a UK legend. If he goes to Alabama he'll be just another in a long line.

I really doubt that Couch is getting that much richer off of any endorsements that are strictly Kentucky/UK based. Yes, he may appear in a commercial or two around the state. Believe me, they aren't writing big checks for those appearances. He can retire off of the money he made in the NFL and the additional money he makes off of Fox Sports. That would all be available to him regardless of where he went to school.

What's Micah Johnson doing these days? How about Dennis Johnson?
Point being, what status and pedestal any players will achieve will be dependent upon a million different factors. Athletes that are successful at most any school will have doors opened and opportunities. What happens from there depends upon how they take advantage and/or screw up those opportunities. Nobody who is a UK fan cares where Jamal Mashburn, Anthony Davis, Sam Bowie or Bud Dupree, Zadarious Smith, Moe Williams lived prior to being Wildcats just like Bama fans don't care from where their stars formerly called home.

The kid will make his decision and then team fan bases can choose to cheer or boo when he takes the field. When he steps off the field he's just another kid who you should wish well.

Having a "little" personal knowledge from a friend that I have ,is that TC has done quite well with his money and is set for a long time as long as he doesn't get stupid...He is living life large and if the SEC network weren't so biased against KENTUCKY FOOTBALL he would be their #1 color guy for football...Jesse Palmer and the rest of those clowns are TERRIBLE

 

[TBCat]

Originally posted by sluggercatfan:

Originally posted by fuzz77:

Originally posted by flyingkat:

He needs to look at Tim Couch and Shawn Alexander. Tim came to UK, was a legend for it, got hurt in the pros and makes bank on all the endorsements he gets because he is so beloved by the Big Blue Nation. Alexander went to Bama, had a great career there, a successful career in the pros, but is you never hear about any endorsement deals down there for him because he is just another in a long line of former Alabama players.

If Harris goes to UK, he will be able to retire on the endorsement deals he will get as a UK legend. If he goes to Alabama he'll be just another in a long line.

I really doubt that Couch is getting that much richer off of any endorsements that are strictly Kentucky/UK based. Yes, he may appear in a commercial or two around the state. Believe me, they aren't writing big checks for those appearances. He can retire off of the money he made in the NFL and the additional money he makes off of Fox Sports. That would all be available to him regardless of where he went to school.

What's Micah Johnson doing these days? How about Dennis Johnson?
Point being, what status and pedestal any players will achieve will be dependent upon a million different factors. Athletes that are successful at most any school will have doors opened and opportunities. What happens from there depends upon how they take advantage and/or screw up those opportunities. Nobody who is a UK fan cares where Jamal Mashburn, Anthony Davis, Sam Bowie or Bud Dupree, Zadarious Smith, Moe Williams lived prior to being Wildcats just like Bama fans don't care from where their stars formerly called home.

The kid will make his decision and then team fan bases can choose to cheer or boo when he takes the field. When he steps off the field he's just another kid who you should wish well.

Having a "little" personal knowledge from a friend that I have ,is that TC has done quite well with his money and is set for a long time as long as he doesn't get stupid...He is living life large and if the SEC network weren't so biased against KENTUCKY FOOTBALL he would be their #1 color guy for football...Jesse Palmer and the rest of those clowns are TERRIBLE

The SEC network is clearly pandering to the top schools in each respective sport. Delk is their primary in studio basketball guy. I also think Couch is an excellent broadcaster but I don't see him replacing Palmer. Palmer is one of the best in the business in my opinion.

 

[3632]

Originally posted by bigblueinsanity:

Originally posted by flyingkat:

He needs to look at Tim Couch and Shawn Alexander. Tim came to UK, was a legend for it, got hurt in the pros and makes bank on all the endorsements he gets because he is so beloved by the Big Blue Nation. Alexander went to Bama, had a great career there, a successful career in the pros, but is you never hear about any endorsement deals down there for him because he is just another in a long line of former Alabama players.

If Harris goes to UK, he will be able to retire on the endorsement deals he will get as a UK legend. If he goes to Alabama he'll be just another in a long line.

I get your point. But Shaun Alexander was the NFL mvp in 2005. And is number 7 overall in rushing tds in NFL history.

Like I said I get the point and agree with it. But this was not the best comparison out there.

Alexander's college experience, as an example, is honestly more of an argument for going to UK than Bama. When he was at Bama, there wasn't a truckload of talent down there and the teams he played for were nowhere near what they are now. They didn't have 15 other options, he was the guy and he was the offense. That was Mike Dubose's Bama, not Saban's.

 

[*Bleedingblue*]

Does all of Bama's backs that they have signed over the past several years all turn out to be dominant players for them?
Seems I remember they had a 5***** back transfer out in the last year. If they have 8 backs on the team now do all of em get all these touches and run for 750+ yards a season?

 

[UKWildcats#8]

Originally posted by *Bleedingblue*:
Does all of Bama's backs that they have signed over the past several years all turn out to be dominant players for them?
Seems I remember they had a 5***** back transfer out in the last year. If they have 8 backs on the team now do all of em get all these touches and run for 750+ yards a season?

Interesting points in this thread. First you have the "come to UK, you are the man, legend, its yours" comments, but now that it may be Alabama we have the "We are fine, we have so and so and so and son at RB"...have to chuckle at the talking out of both side's of the mouth some are doing. If we are that set at RB, then how could he have been "the legend, the man" here as a frosh next season? I'm confused.

And Alabama probably does have guys transfer out with all that depth, but Saban is pretty good running the 2 headed monster look at RB most years. Yeldon and Henry this year, Yeldon and Lacey a couple years back, Richardson and Lacey, etc. He also appears to let the 3rd back get reps as well early on. Regardless, next year you have Henry and Drake (if he recovers right from his injury), so I think they are pretty set at the 1/2 positions. Now could Harris go in and take one of those spots as a true frosh? Absolutely, but he would be far behind in the playbook and such.

I still say Harris should come to UK, because he would definitely get playing time next year and might be the starter by a few games into the season if not the first. Now does that mean our other backs won't get reps as well and that they all suck compared to Harris? Absolutely not, and I think you would see Boom at least getting many touches a game.

 

[bluejohnson]

I hope like heck he comes to UK, but you are correct sir! ^^^^^ also, I think Boom is just as dynamic a runner as Harris. And if Boom had been 6' tall, he'd have been a 5*

 

[fuzz77]

Originally posted by *Bleedingblue*:
Does all of Bama's backs that they have signed over the past several years all turn out to be dominant players for them?
Seems I remember they had a 5***** back transfer out in the last year. If they have 8 backs on the team now do all of em get all these touches and run for 750+ yards a season?

Do all of the 4 star players that come to UK end up being good?

Not all of them will get touches...only the best ones. But that is true at every position. Tennessee has 3 4* QBs in their current recruiting class...think they're all going to play? No, probably 1 will play, 1 will end up transferring and the 3rd will end up not being good enough.

Do you think this year is any different for Bama than any other year? If you're a 5 star kid then you aren't thinking about not being good enough to play.

 

[EKCAT4YRS]

While I understand the thinking that life would be so much easier for DH after football if he were a home state hero, it just could be that DH is intelligent enough and confident enough in himself that he believes he can do great in a field other than fb someday! Maybe he doesn't need hero status all of his life and maybe millions of $$ isn't even what drives him.Maybe playing FB actually is just a vehicle to a degree that he plans on using!!Who knows,

 

[Real Deal 2]

The difference in comparing UK BB and Alabama FB is way off. UK BB under Cal has been producing not only great college players and first round picks but the best of the best and top 1-3 at every position. I won't bore you but AD, Wall, Cousins are marquee guys. The difference is that Alabama has been producing 1st round picks like 2-4 ever year but none of the guys are stars. They are good players and Saban produces great teams and players.
I would take Cobb against Julio Jones as WR, I would take Larry Warford over Pork Chop Wommack with the Titans who has been a bust. Warford was rookie OL of year last year. I would take Woodyard, Trevathian, Wiliamson over any of the Tide's LB'ers in the league and most of those guys were higher drafted. Ingram is a bust if you look at 1st round selections, Lacey is good but he has the best QB in NFL that loosens up D, let's see how he would do at Tennessee. Richardson is a complete bust. He was the best of that bunch I thought. The DB's at the Jets is not very good, a lot of the guys have not panned out. There has been talk on every draft and the write ups about some GM's being leary of Alabama players and they don't pan out. Not me saying it but at least 2 drafts there were write ups, discussions about Bama busts.

I am sick of the narrative that Alabama or OSU is where you have to go. BS, Mizzou has produced a lot better DL than Bama, those guys are better. LSU has produced better DB's, their WR's are better.

Think Amari Cooper is best guy in draft so should be interesting.

This was not a veiled shot at Alabama, behind UK they are the team I root for in SEC etc. Saban is best coach but the continued veiled attempts by some to say it is ok for him to go to UA and he will be in a better situation. That is simply not true.

The only narrative that holds water is going to a school that may compete for SEC and or NC sooner. No argument here but the other stuff is simply not accurate. I think Alabama will be good but they are not going to dominate the SEC anymore, too many early entries, NO QB. Saban is best coach and they will be great but to say they will go 11-1 or 12-0 for sure next year is a real stretch. I think AU and some other teams may get them.
IMO

 

[mrschwump]

Real Deal, understand your point and it makes sense. One thing however, Pork Chop is from Miss St not Bama.

 

[Real Deal 2]

No he is from Alabama. Starting OG and first round pick of TItans in 2013.
IMO

 

[bluejohnson]

Pork chop Womack played at miss st. Back in the 90's - 2000. I think you're thinking of another pork chop lol

 

[mrschwump]

^you may be thinking of Chance Warmack who does play for the Titans and is from Bama. Pork Chop is with Seattle maybe(?) and is from Miss St. Regardless, Bama has put a lot of guys into the NFL under Saban, you're right about that.

 

[Real Deal 2]

Chance Warmack, first round OG from Alabama. Some call him Pork Chop down here, sorry for confusion. Regardless Larry Warford is ten times the player and he was not a top 20 pick like Warmack.
IMO

 

[JHB4UK]

from my following of NFL types, the whispers grow louder year after year that scouts do not want their teams drafting Bama players, because Saban has developed a rep of burning up the best years/miles on his players. In particular at running back.

 

[bluejohnson]

That absolutely happened with Trent Richardson and mark Ingram, IMO

 

[jauk11]

Good references and logic, Real Deal 2, of course Bama sends more picks to the NFL, they average about 4 five star recruits every year, before Stoops we were averaging one FOUR STAR a year. Our highest rated RB this century was Little I think, a 5.6. I think the Fonz is still playing in the NFL, and he was a two star and the other NFL players you listed from UK would have probably never got close to being offered by Bama, or most other SEC powers.

 

[Real Deal 2]

Again, no one is saying that Bama and Saban aren't the best. Some on here are saying he goes to UA and insures 1st round etc.. All I am saying is that UK has produced as many quality not quantity guys as Bama and you can be the number 1 pick ala Couch or first rounder etc. I would say all those top recruiting classes and great players that not many UA players turn out to be great pro's and a lot of GM's are looking the other way. There has been some big busts.

The only narrative that sticks is that UA is in a fight for NC and SEC. UK cannot say this, the other stuff evens itself out in the end. UK may be competitive in 2 years to have say in East but no UK fan is going to say NC ala the Tide.

IMO

 

[mrschwump]

Honestly and I hate to say this but true, if you were a young hot shot RB which OL would you rather run behind UK or Bama?

 

[Real Deal 2]

Originally posted by mrschwump:

Honestly and I hate to say this but true, if you were a young hot shot RB which OL would you rather run behind UK or Bama?

Stoops assured him and Damen's family that he would build OL that be SEC worthy and he would make sure he built team around him. No offense Mrsschump but every angle seems to be against UK and pro Bama, All of UK's top OL were either frosh or RS. You are not one of those BB UK fans and FB Bama fans. Not trying to start anything just asking.

UK has a better QB than the Tide, WR's are probably not as good, OL for Bama is good but not great.

Saban taking a guy booted from UGA. is pretty telling, he only weighs 6'6 340, he choked and hit his 140 lbs. girlfriend in Athens this Summer with an open fist. Saban said come on down, we need a NG. He also was in a check cashing scheme that Richt put on probation.

Kid makes his choice and he has to trust Stoops who said he was going to surround him with an SEC quality OL.
IMO

 

[3632]

Originally posted by mrschwump:

Honestly and I hate to say this but true, if you were a young hot shot RB which OL would you rather run behind UK or Bama?

We have had to run up the gut because of youth everywhere, but our objectives aren't even the same as theirs. Our offensive objective is to get people into space and, even when we are running between tackles, creating space to make people miss. That is not what Alabama does nor are they built for it in personnel....although they are going to have big boys to create holes. You're still going to take hits even if it's further down the field. Playing for Tedford's spaced offense didn't hurt Marshawn Lynch any. And very few of the guys running the ball in the league played behind those kinds of OL's. Very few teams even play that way anymore.

This post was edited on 1/8 4:46 PM by 3632

 

[mrschwump]

Real Deal please, you have me totally pegged wrong.

 

[bigbluegrog]

Originally posted by mrschwump:

Honestly and I hate to say this but true, if you were a young hot shot RB which OL would you rather run behind UK or Bama?

UK has more upside!

 

[Wildcats4EverandEver]

Julio Jones over Randall Cobb, and I love Cobb, but lets be real here....Bama puts good defensive players in pros, their running backs and O-Lineman, are pretty much busts..

 

[3632]

Originally posted by Wildcats4EverandEver:
Julio Jones over Randall Cobb, and I love Cobb, but lets be real here....Bama puts good defensive players in pros, their running backs and O-Lineman, are pretty much busts..

Here is some support.

65% of their NFL players are on defense.
Only 14% are offensive skill players

QB-McCaron
RB-Lacy, Richardson, Ingram
WR-Norwood, Jones

So they have 6 skill guys in the league.

Kentucky has 6 offensive skill position guys in the league.

Tamme, Cobb, Conner, Stevie J, Chris Matthews, Alfonso Smith.

And that's even with nobody being sent when Joker was here. Maybe the narrative should change to how do they have such a high FAIL rate on the offensive side of the ball, relative to the talent they bring in. BUSINESS DECISION.

This post was edited on 1/8 5:15 PM by 3632

 

[UKUGA]

He just retweeted a post that read: "Retweet if you hope he (Harris) is a Wildcat."

 

[That MGH Guy]

He is retweeting a lot of UK stuff today.

If he isn't coming here, I do wish he'd ease off on that. It would be one thing if it was Bama vs. OSU, but all it's going to do is get people's hopes up here at the home state school.

Then again, maybe he is coming?

 

[Lempface]

If he is coming, with all the experts switching to and thinking Alabama this would be one hell of a get. I'm guessing it would be a pretty massive story around the football recruiting circles and give some more credence to the program. Not to mention, he is probably going to be pretty good.


Here's hoping!

 

[CatFanInGtown]

I posted this earlier under a different topic, but I would be interested if this is a stretch or not?

Any comparison here to Jalen Hurd and Tennessee? Grew up close to Knoxville. 5 star running back. Went to UT who had not been to a bowl game since 2009 and had a losing record in consecutive years. Had a great game in leading UT to their bowl win over Iowa. Just saying.......

 

[Pharmboy007]

What I would hope that he and his family think about his life AFTER football. Bama has a rich, full history of players that have left and played for the NFL.
If, and I say, if he were to come to UK and be the player we all think he is capable of, he would be adored and loved forever by UK fans. Look at Couch, Cobb, Tamme, etc. He could be one of the home state boys who came back to help build the program and name his ticket after retirement.
At Bama, he would just be one of a long line of players.

GO CATS