Next season will be a pivotal one for Coach Stoops and his staff to say the least but as I run down the roster I think there is reason for optimism. Running back, Secondary, and to some extent Wide Receiver look stronger and deeper than in any of my time of watching UK football. One position grouping that has a ton of potential and intrigues me quite a bit is our linebacking corp. Not a lot of proven production heading into next season but seems to me that I can not remember a group of linebackers with more athleticism, length, speed, and talent in all my years of watching Kentucky football. I meshed all three positions together for this discussion (Jack, MLB, and OLB).
Hatcher 6'3 252 - Four Star SR : USC offer
Ware 6'2 255 - Four Star rSO : Bama, FSU, UGA offers
Love 6'2 250 - Four Star rJR Neb Trans : FSU, USC, OSU offers
Laster 6'3 235 - High Three Star rJR : Minn Trans
Kengari 6'5 260 - High Three Star SO : Bama offer
Brown 6'2 220 - Four Star rFR : OSU offer
Kash 6'3 230 - Four Star FR : USC offer
Jones 6'2 220 - Four Star SO : Okla, Miami, MSU offers
Walker 6'3 220 - Three Star rSO : 8 power 5 offers
Bonner 6'6 230 - Three Star rSO Juco : Tenn and Neb offers
Firios 6'2 235 - Three Star rSO : 5 power 5 offers
Allen 6'5 230 - Two Star SO
Bannerman 6'5 220 - Three Star FR
Looking at this group and our secondary gives you a lot of confidence for the back 7 or 8 of our defense depending on the grouping. But as great as the potential is there are a ton of questions that will decide the fate of the defense.
Will Hatcher finally put it all together mentally to reach his potential?
How much of an impact will the transfers (Love, Laster, and Bonner) have?
Can Walker / Firios stay healthy?
Does Ware talk a leap forward in the offseason?
How much do the young guys (Brown, Jones, Daniel, and Allen) develop?
Does Kash have an impact as a Freshman?
Finally, with the lack of a pass rushing defensive end can the defensive staff exploit what seems to be a long, fast, and athletic group of linebackers?
At bare minimum this group and our tight end grouping will help a ton with our special teams units. As of right now I do not have a ton of confidence in Coach Elliott and I think if we had someone more creative and aggressive we could really take advantage of this personnel grouping paired with our safeties. The defensive line has to keep this group clean and I don't know if they can do it.
What say you?
GOCATS!!!!!
Hatcher 6'3 252 - Four Star SR : USC offer
Ware 6'2 255 - Four Star rSO : Bama, FSU, UGA offers
Love 6'2 250 - Four Star rJR Neb Trans : FSU, USC, OSU offers
Laster 6'3 235 - High Three Star rJR : Minn Trans
Kengari 6'5 260 - High Three Star SO : Bama offer
Brown 6'2 220 - Four Star rFR : OSU offer
Kash 6'3 230 - Four Star FR : USC offer
Jones 6'2 220 - Four Star SO : Okla, Miami, MSU offers
Walker 6'3 220 - Three Star rSO : 8 power 5 offers
Bonner 6'6 230 - Three Star rSO Juco : Tenn and Neb offers
Firios 6'2 235 - Three Star rSO : 5 power 5 offers
Allen 6'5 230 - Two Star SO
Bannerman 6'5 220 - Three Star FR
Looking at this group and our secondary gives you a lot of confidence for the back 7 or 8 of our defense depending on the grouping. But as great as the potential is there are a ton of questions that will decide the fate of the defense.
Will Hatcher finally put it all together mentally to reach his potential?
How much of an impact will the transfers (Love, Laster, and Bonner) have?
Can Walker / Firios stay healthy?
Does Ware talk a leap forward in the offseason?
How much do the young guys (Brown, Jones, Daniel, and Allen) develop?
Does Kash have an impact as a Freshman?
Finally, with the lack of a pass rushing defensive end can the defensive staff exploit what seems to be a long, fast, and athletic group of linebackers?
At bare minimum this group and our tight end grouping will help a ton with our special teams units. As of right now I do not have a ton of confidence in Coach Elliott and I think if we had someone more creative and aggressive we could really take advantage of this personnel grouping paired with our safeties. The defensive line has to keep this group clean and I don't know if they can do it.
What say you?
GOCATS!!!!!
