Impact Freshmen
- Thread starter BBN 4Life
- Start date
I think Conrad will possibly start at Tight End. I wouldn't be surprised to see Kengra Daniel maybe make the 2 deep at DE. I believe the majority of this class will redshirt because we have finally been able to build some quality depth. I really like King at running back and think that he fits the Dawson offense well. With the departures of Clemmons and Heard we have 3 backs, so the staff has a big decision to make on to RedShirt him or not.
Guys I expect to play as Frosh/newcomers:
RB King
TE Conrad
WR Greenwood
WR Gosier
DE Miggins
MLB Love
WLB Jones
CB Westry
CB Baity
S Walker
RB King
TE Conrad
WR Greenwood
WR Gosier
DE Miggins
MLB Love
WLB Jones
CB Westry
CB Baity
S Walker
Conrad, and that's about it. The rest will redshirt, or play spot duty. Not bashing them. The depth chart is just much better than it has ever been during my lifetime. Plus most these recruits are terrific athletic specimens; but raw. So redshirting will be the plan imo.
BigBlueInsanity check RV's post he's much closer to the truth than you are with yours. I'm not knocking you but there are a lot of guys that fill huge needs on our team and are more ready to contribute than maybe you're giving them credit for. George Asafo-Adjei is another that I'd add to RV's list. Marrow said on KSR on signing day that he thinks this class has more guys in it that are ready to play than either of the last two classes. Considering our much improved depth that's saying something for the guys that break into the rotation now versus those that came in 2013
The depth chart is starting to mature. There are less spots this coming yr than in the past few yrs. Conrad is likely to be the only freshman who may start. A few may crack the 2-3 deep or play special teams. The large portion of the class will either RS or not see meaningful snaps.
Of course newcomers like Miggins, Love/Hart (fingers crossed), Bell, etc will play a lot.....may start in some cases.
Of course newcomers like Miggins, Love/Hart (fingers crossed), Bell, etc will play a lot.....may start in some cases.
Thats not always true, as your talent level increases you are bringing in better players, sometimes too goood to sit, qb and OL are usually an exception, but elite players at other positions can play and play well as frosh, including DL.
I like RVs list because the UK team has needs and the players he list would seem to fit those needs. George Asafo-Adjei just might be the best recruit signed but it is difficult for Freshmen to play on the OL their initial year. A factor might be whether the coaching staff thinks he is one that would go to the NFL in 3 years. Another factor is that UK has several redshirted Freshman that that have had a chance to learn the system, have been in the strength and conditioning program for a year, and they return 4 starters on the OL. IMO he will have to be an extraordinary Freshman OL or he redshirts.
With GAA he has a lot of factors working for him. RG was easily our weakest spot on the OL with Ramsey Meyers starting and Cole Mosier (walk-on) logging major minutes. GAA comes in listed an inch taller and the same weight as Meyers with excellent strength and in great shape already. GAA doesn't carry much bad weight he's built like a brick house. He comes in early and has spring and fall to learn the plays and improve on his already impressive strength and conditioning.
The biggest factors will be where the staff ultimately decides to place LaRubbio and Richardson. I view Richardson as a RT and LaRubbio as a LG personally but I know Brown had worked Richardson out some at guard. GAA is a RG all the way and will jump Mosier on the depth chart day 1 so he's at least the backup to Meyers to start the season (assuming the depth chart we ended the season with since we don't know where Richardson will be). I'd guess that Meyers starts game one and GAA takes over the starting role by the 4th or 5th game. I know it's unusual to see that happen on the OL but I'm that high on him and the situation that he comes into is favorable for him. Remember he's in competition with two RS sophomores with one year of game experience not a RS JR or SR with 2-3 years game experience
The biggest factors will be where the staff ultimately decides to place LaRubbio and Richardson. I view Richardson as a RT and LaRubbio as a LG personally but I know Brown had worked Richardson out some at guard. GAA is a RG all the way and will jump Mosier on the depth chart day 1 so he's at least the backup to Meyers to start the season (assuming the depth chart we ended the season with since we don't know where Richardson will be). I'd guess that Meyers starts game one and GAA takes over the starting role by the 4th or 5th game. I know it's unusual to see that happen on the OL but I'm that high on him and the situation that he comes into is favorable for him. Remember he's in competition with two RS sophomores with one year of game experience not a RS JR or SR with 2-3 years game experience
Regardless of improved depth we will see 9-11 newcomers play this year. Now, that may include 2 JUCOs and one transfer, but we will see double digit kids play. We need a RB, 2-3 WRs, 2-3 DL, as many LBs as can contribute, at least 2 secondary guys and 2 TEs.
That is largely the case for most programs. If we can continue to RS 12-15 guys from each class that is great. But we need to continue to recruit at a higher level each year which means 10-12 guys playing. That is the only way to build a program. Let's face it, if you have 45-50 in your program that either are being or have been RS that is incredible.
That is largely the case for most programs. If we can continue to RS 12-15 guys from each class that is great. But we need to continue to recruit at a higher level each year which means 10-12 guys playing. That is the only way to build a program. Let's face it, if you have 45-50 in your program that either are being or have been RS that is incredible.
The presence of Conrad will change some of our passing schemes and make Towles more effective. But the biggest impact from a freshman will come from Kengera Daniel.
I have been doing some math. I have decided if we lived in an Utopian world where every recruit worked out, there was no attrition, players didn't go early to the NFL, and all of the incoming recruited class were redshirted each year that teams would only need to recruit 17 players a year to maintain their 85 player limit.
We all know we do not live in an Utopian world and there is a lot of factors that go into being able to maintain a competitive football team. Attrition has been one of the major factors before the Stoops era that has made it difficult to field a compete team. It seemed under Joker that the team was forever young. and that by the time players should be Seniors and redshirt Seniors there were few players of that type left on the team.
I know it is early and none of Stoops players other than JUCOs has reached that stage yet but it seems that there is a lot less attrition since he has been the head coach. Heck there has been little attrition among Joker recruits other than the Joker recruits that were encouraged to leave.
We all know we do not live in an Utopian world and there is a lot of factors that go into being able to maintain a competitive football team. Attrition has been one of the major factors before the Stoops era that has made it difficult to field a compete team. It seemed under Joker that the team was forever young. and that by the time players should be Seniors and redshirt Seniors there were few players of that type left on the team.
I know it is early and none of Stoops players other than JUCOs has reached that stage yet but it seems that there is a lot less attrition since he has been the head coach. Heck there has been little attrition among Joker recruits other than the Joker recruits that were encouraged to leave.
He may well be right. But I hope hes wrong. Why? Because if that many players are forced into action after the Stoops recruits in place, it means at least a fair portion of the previous classes would be dead weight AND we need to get in position to redshirt as many freshman as possible; especially OL and DL.
Daniel will probably be forced to play because UK is shorthanded at the DE. Miggins and Bell will be back-ups, doubt either sees meaningful minutes. Hopefully everybody else other than Conrad and King RSs
What I saw about Clemons is he's leaving after this session of school.
I think we'll have more impact freshmen than most think. We have a few high level freshmen that we red shirted. Also several of the new signees are at positions of need. I'm grouping them into true and red shirt freshmen. I'm also not counting the JC transfers just the freshmen.
True Freshmen:
George Asafo-Adjei - Will make the depth chart and has a really good shot at starting. I already have him penciled in at LG.
C.J. Conrad - Will play a lot and probably start. We haven't had a play maker at the spot since Tamme. The only way he doesn't start is if Long is spectacular. Even if Long is Conrad will still play a lot. We literally have nothing coming back at TE.
Chris Westry - May not start but will play. Pretty sure that the staff wants either him or Baity as a major player at the Boundary.
Derrick Baity - Same as Westry.
Kengera Daniel - Up hill battle to start as a true freshmen but he will play. DE is a position where we lack depth and Daniel is a talent. Plus he will practice in the spring so in all reality he will be a redshirt freshman instead of a true freshman by then.
Kei Beckham - We need DBs and he is perfect for the nickel. Will not start as he is behind 2 good ones but he will see the field.
Sihiem King - Will play. Won't start but you need at least 4 RBs. Losing Heard means that King plays no matter what now.
Jabari Greenwood - Probably no lower than 2nd on the depth chart and could win the starting job if our returning players don't keep ahead of him.
Therrell Gosier - Will most likely play. Big receiver that play in the slot.
Marcus Walker - At a position that has a lot of quality depth. He's talented enough to break into the group though.
Javon Provitt - Staff probably would rather red shirt him but he may end up being too good for that.
Red shirts:
Denzel Ware - Might be the most likely to earn a starting job from the red shirts.
Nico Firios - Really liked him out of high school. Only needed to get stronger. If he's done that he could start.
Josh Krok - I think he has a 50/50 shot at starting at RT. At worst he's 2nd on the depth chart.
Darius West - Probably plays behind Stamps and takes over for him next year.
Mike Edwards - Probably 2nd team to start off but will play a lot.
Darryl Long - Same as Conrad above. We have nothing at TE. Long will play unless we decide to stop using TEs altogether. He has his work cut out for him to start over Conrad however.
Nick Richardson - No question on the depth chart. 2nd team at worst IMO.
Jervontius Stallings - Another that is 2nd team at worst. Might take a starting job if he plays well in the spring.
Jared Tucker - Will compete for the field corner. Has the tools to win the starting job.
Thaddeus Snodgrass - WR is getting crowded all of the sudden but he's in the rotation.
Drew Barker - Biggest name on the list out of high school. Towles is the front runner for QB but is hardly invincible. I believe Barker has a better shot at being the starting QB than most think.
Of the group I believe Conrad, Asafo-Adjei and Ware are the most likely to be starters. Some others have the potential but those 3 are almost locks. Clearly the roster will look totally different next year.
True Freshmen:
George Asafo-Adjei - Will make the depth chart and has a really good shot at starting. I already have him penciled in at LG.
C.J. Conrad - Will play a lot and probably start. We haven't had a play maker at the spot since Tamme. The only way he doesn't start is if Long is spectacular. Even if Long is Conrad will still play a lot. We literally have nothing coming back at TE.
Chris Westry - May not start but will play. Pretty sure that the staff wants either him or Baity as a major player at the Boundary.
Derrick Baity - Same as Westry.
Kengera Daniel - Up hill battle to start as a true freshmen but he will play. DE is a position where we lack depth and Daniel is a talent. Plus he will practice in the spring so in all reality he will be a redshirt freshman instead of a true freshman by then.
Kei Beckham - We need DBs and he is perfect for the nickel. Will not start as he is behind 2 good ones but he will see the field.
Sihiem King - Will play. Won't start but you need at least 4 RBs. Losing Heard means that King plays no matter what now.
Jabari Greenwood - Probably no lower than 2nd on the depth chart and could win the starting job if our returning players don't keep ahead of him.
Therrell Gosier - Will most likely play. Big receiver that play in the slot.
Marcus Walker - At a position that has a lot of quality depth. He's talented enough to break into the group though.
Javon Provitt - Staff probably would rather red shirt him but he may end up being too good for that.
Red shirts:
Denzel Ware - Might be the most likely to earn a starting job from the red shirts.
Nico Firios - Really liked him out of high school. Only needed to get stronger. If he's done that he could start.
Josh Krok - I think he has a 50/50 shot at starting at RT. At worst he's 2nd on the depth chart.
Darius West - Probably plays behind Stamps and takes over for him next year.
Mike Edwards - Probably 2nd team to start off but will play a lot.
Darryl Long - Same as Conrad above. We have nothing at TE. Long will play unless we decide to stop using TEs altogether. He has his work cut out for him to start over Conrad however.
Nick Richardson - No question on the depth chart. 2nd team at worst IMO.
Jervontius Stallings - Another that is 2nd team at worst. Might take a starting job if he plays well in the spring.
Jared Tucker - Will compete for the field corner. Has the tools to win the starting job.
Thaddeus Snodgrass - WR is getting crowded all of the sudden but he's in the rotation.
Drew Barker - Biggest name on the list out of high school. Towles is the front runner for QB but is hardly invincible. I believe Barker has a better shot at being the starting QB than most think.
Of the group I believe Conrad, Asafo-Adjei and Ware are the most likely to be starters. Some others have the potential but those 3 are almost locks. Clearly the roster will look totally different next year.
RV didn't list any Frosh from the O or D-lines as guys that would play so I'm pretty sure he was saying they would redshirt. I'm also pretty sure he was talking about playing and not starting for the others, even if that means just special teams. Of course, Conrad has a good chance of starting as he will be one of only two (unless Hart gains a hardship) scholarship TE's on the roster. Miggins and Love both have a good chance at starting as well but neither are Freshmen.
I'm really hoping that spring practices show that the redshirts are ready for SEC play now. It would be great to redshirt again the bulk of this current class but I know some will probably play. RB is almost a certain that you need four backs for the grueling SEC schedule down the stretch.
Here is a list of receivers that either redshirted or played last year:
Jeff Badet
Dorian Baker
Blake Bone
Rashad Cunningham
Joey Herrick
Garrett Johnson
Alex Montgomery
Thaddeus Snodgrass
Ryan Timmons
T.V. Williams
I didn't mention Charles Walker but he's also a guy that could contribute this year.
When you look at this list it's hard for me to see where any true freshmen receivers might get any sort of meaningful PT when you have this much depth. I say at least start the season with all of them redshirted and see how things go.
This post was edited on 2/19 12:03 PM by Deeeefense
Jeff Badet
Dorian Baker
Blake Bone
Rashad Cunningham
Joey Herrick
Garrett Johnson
Alex Montgomery
Thaddeus Snodgrass
Ryan Timmons
T.V. Williams
I didn't mention Charles Walker but he's also a guy that could contribute this year.
When you look at this list it's hard for me to see where any true freshmen receivers might get any sort of meaningful PT when you have this much depth. I say at least start the season with all of them redshirted and see how things go.
This post was edited on 2/19 12:03 PM by Deeeefense
Gosier and Greenwood are outside guys. The outside guys listed above are Badet, Baker, Bone, Cunningham and maybe Snodgrass. Cunningham would have to improve a bunch to see any real time and the rest are inside guys so I expect Gosier and Greenwood to both play unless injured.
