Mikel Horton

[screwduke]

Surprised nobody is really talking about how huge this guy is. He also looks faster than last year too. Boom will be the guy a lot but I'd love to see us get Horton the ball maybe a little more as the season goes on. He trucked that poor ULL defender on that last TD. It was awesome.

 

[hmt5000]

Pad level is better. That td run doesn't happen last year he would of carried that guy a couple yards but no leveling. Can't wait to see him the next 2 weeks to see how he looks against good D lines.

 

[screwduke]

Pad level is better. That td run doesn't happen last year he would of carried that guy a couple yards but no leveling. Can't wait to see him the next 2 weeks to see how he looks against good D lines.

He's the type of RB that would have ran 200+ yards on us in previous years. Glad we have him on our side.

 

[Caveman Catfan]

We will see him used much more this week, I suspect.

 

[catrecruit]

Anyone have a replay of Horton's run?

 

[DACats86]

Anyone have a replay of Horton's run?

 

[Dallas-Wild]

If you view this from the side angle, you see some great blocks...the FB, and the cutback block by Bone is great on the LB . Conrad missed but changed the direction of the defender and got him out of the play also.

 

[JPFisher]

Bounced it outside quickly, excellent blocking, and to finish it off, Horton guarded the ball, lowered his pads, and trucked the defender. Last year, he wouldn't have done any of those things. He would have kept the ball in danger and stayed high. Excellent improvements.

 

[ktbug]

One db isn't going to get him on the ground by hitting him high!

 

[3kidsandme]

One db isn't going to get him on the ground by hitting him high!

Horton is the feature back with boom being a playmaker if i am oc. Horton is how we rest the defense by getting first downs

 

[Chuckinden]

Horton just needs to stop dancing at the line when running up the middle. Use the power he has to blast through.

 

[Caveman Catfan]

Baker had an incredible block on that TD. And, I think Horton hurt the safety that tried to tackle him. Looked almost one the kid had a stinger that impacted one side.

 

[UKWinsAgainYep]

Baker had an incredible block on that TD. And, I think Horton hurt the safety that tried to tackle him. Looked almost one the kid had a stinger that impacted one side.

Baker was a vicious blocker last season too. Baker really brings an aggressiveness to our offense.

 

[How Blue Can You Get?]

I was actually dissapointed in Horton. He lost some weight, but I still didn't see the burst I was hoping for...He would fair much better running behind a line like Bama's, but he just takes a little too long to get to full speed for what our guys provide. Maybe he'll hit his rhythm in sync with our line and explode at some point....Personally, I think Boom and JOJO need the bulk of the carries.

 

[Caveman Catfan]

6 carries for 28 yards for 4.7 per carry. Two big runs in ULL game. One to get ball off 1 yard line and the other scores a TD.

 

[WildcatofNati]

Probably he's a NFL draft choice in 2018, just needs to stay in shape and improve on hitting the line as soon as possible, and not hesitate when he gets the ball. Best pro prospect we have had at that position in years, other than Williams;

 

[3Bluefever325]

6 carries for 28 yards for 4.7 per carry. Two big runs in ULL game. One to get ball off 1 yard line and the other scores a TD.

That's pretty dawgone impressive. I agree he needs more carries if for nothing else, just to soften up the defense for our other backs. Looks like one of those big backs we have trouble tackling every year. Would love to see us use him more with a big fullback like Hyde and line up in the I formation and just smash mouth! That would keep our defense on the sidelines for a nice rest, wear out the opposing defense and break some damn bones! How would you like to see Hyde coming at you with a full head of steam knowing if you get by him you have to tackle Horton. Ouch! That would humble ya. Just get up a couple scores and smash mouth football.

 

[Rhavicc]

I was actually dissapointed

Wow, I mean, we're all so surprised.....

disappointed*

 

[SDcatfan13]

Horton is the best back on the team.

 

[Dallas-Wild]

I was actually dissapointed in Horton. He lost some weight, but I still didn't see the burst I was hoping for...He would fair much better running behind a line like Bama's, but he just takes a little too long to get to full speed for what our guys provide. Maybe he'll hit his rhythm in sync with our line and explode at some point....Personally, I think Boom and JOJO need the bulk of the carries.

Are you serious????

 

[Chuckinden]

Horton is the best back on the team.

I disagree with that wholeheartedly. Boom is the best back.

 

[hoss6901]

6 carries/4.7 yards average and a TD seems to me he did ok with the touches he got. We have lots of playmakers and only one ball, so maybe we can utilize him some more vs. SC.

 

[K_TIME]

Horton is the best back on the team.

Wow..better than "Boom"? I think Boom is the best back at UK since Pinner...I can't see Horton really even close to Boom based upon 13 games we've seen them both play in.

 

[southindycat]

Horton is the feature back with boom being a playmaker if i am oc. Horton is how we rest the defense by getting first downs

I basically agree, especially if he will, as noted, keep it north and south between the tackles. I am not sure I would distinguish them from one another as play maker and feature, but simply say we might split carries 40/40/20 between them and Kemp, and do some real damage in terms of grinding out yards even when an extra defender is brought forward, while leaving open the home run possibility. I do think we see more of him this week as the staff probably sorts out whether this is the right approach.

 

[Nuke99m]

At 6'1" 226lbs I wonder what kind of fullback he could develop in to. I know the NFL doesn't use many
fb's but once you establish yourself as a good one you seem to keep a job.

 

[Caveman Catfan]

Wow..better than "Boom"? I think Boom is the best back at UK since Pinner...I can't see Horton really even close to Boom based upon 13 games we've seen them both play in.

I think Horton has Pinner potential.

 

[Brock28]

I've always liked Horton. We have rarely had this type of kid at Kentucky.

 

[CatDaddy4daWin]

All 3 RBs had some great runs last week. Dawson has got to find the right balance to give these guys more carries. I love Horton's improved body, you can tell he is quicker and more agile out there. That last run was beast mode. He'll never be a homerun type back but he can consistently give you 5-15 yarders that wear down the defense.

 

[ctroberts1024]

He's definitely gonna get more touches and deservingly so. Horton is more of an every down back with Boom being more of a change of pace. Wouldn't be surprised to see our screen game used more with the RBs and WRs. Horton and Boom could really do damage with those.

 

[Cawood86]

Expecting big things from Horton. Like to see him used more

 

[UK Cats Rock]

If the weather is what they're saying; 80% chance of rain; we're going to have to see a healthy dose of Boom, Horton, AND Kemp... maybe with a dash of King. Would love to see some two back sets as well.

 

[bigblueinsanity]

Horton is the feature back with boom being a playmaker if i am oc. Horton is how we rest the defense by getting first downs

Id say thats eventually where we're headed. Boom starts and gets his touches on designed plays. He's really sort of boom or bust (npi). Horton will be the go to guy for grinding yards and typical run plays. Jojo will have a few chances here and there.

Wow..better than "Boom"? I think Boom is the best back at UK since Pinner...I can't see Horton really even close to Boom based upon 13 games we've seen them both play in.

How do people ALWAYS forget Raphael Little? What a fantastic RB. Locke was good too. Smith is STILL in the NFL, even though his production was minimal.

 

[hmt5000]

At 6'1" 226lbs I wonder what kind of fullback he could develop in to. I know the NFL doesn't use many
fb's but once you establish yourself as a good one you seem to keep a job.

So you want to move 1 one of our highest rated rb's in the last 20 years to fullback even though he's averaging over 5 ypc?

 

[southindycat]

Id say thats eventually where we're headed. Boom starts and gets his touches on designed plays. He's really sort of boom or bust (npi). Horton will be the go to guy for grinding yards and typical run plays. Jojo will have a few chances here and there.



How do people ALWAYS forget Raphael Little? What a fantastic RB. Locke was good too. Smith is STILL in the NFL, even though his production was minimal.

Little was more like Boom than Pinner.

Frankly, Little and Boom are nearly the same collegiate backs. Little was only slightly taller, and played as a senior at about 205 as I recall.

Horton has the potential to carry 235 lbs of great weight as a junior/senior and be an absolute LOAD. This is obvious.

 

[southindycat]

Put another way, I think Horton has the greatest draft potential of any back on our roster, and that is saying a lot.

 

[Nuke99m]

So you want to move 1 one of our highest rated rb's in the last 20 years to fullback even though he's averaging over 5 ypc?

Yes.

 

[bigblueinsanity]

Little was more like Boom than Pinner.

Frankly, Little and Boom are nearly the same collegiate backs. Little was only slightly taller, and played as a senior at about 205 as I recall.

Horton has the potential to carry 235 lbs of great weight as a junior/senior and be an absolute LOAD. This is obvious.

Theyre absolutely different backs. But I often see people post "best back since Pinner" when we had at least 2 excellent RB's since him.

I think Boom is similar to a bigger Locke - alot of straightline speed and gone in a second. Little was much shiftier, and was almost impossible for a defender to tackle 1 on 1. But lacked the blazing speed of Boom, Locke, or Smith.

 

[Pike 96]

Id say thats eventually where we're headed. Boom starts and gets his touches on designed plays. He's really sort of boom or bust (npi). Horton will be the go to guy for grinding yards and typical run plays. Jojo will have a few chances here and there.



How do people ALWAYS forget Raphael Little? What a fantastic RB. Locke was good too. Smith is STILL in the NFL, even though his production was minimal.

Little was an absolute stud. He and Boom really are a lot alike with Boom maybe being a bit faster. But Little could make you miss in a phone booth. Little's Oline was VERY average. He was constantly making guys miss in backfield and still gaining yards. He was also great catching the ball. He must have had 10 catches against Florida St and they couldn't stop it. If he didn't have the knee problems he had I think he would still be in the NFL as a third down back

 

[bigblueinsanity]

Little was an absolute stud. He and Boom really are a lot alike with Boom maybe being a bit faster. But Little could make you miss in a phone booth. Little's Oline was VERY average. He was constantly making guys miss in backfield and still gaining yards. He was also great catching the ball. He must have had 10 catches against Florida St and they couldn't stop it. If he didn't have the knee problems he had I think he would still be in the NFL as a third down back

Agree. Didnt he even tear an ACL or something in an all star game? He made the Titans roster for a season, maybe two I think.

 

[redleg27]

Its silly to even compare Boom and Horton. They are totally different type backs who each bring a different skill set. I say let Mikel soften these defenses up a little more. I can't wait to see hyde steamroll a linebacker.