OL Joshua Braun is a CAT!

[TX-Wildcat]

"Second-Team All-SEC selection by the Associated Press after allowing only two sacks in over 394 pass-blocking snaps with just three penalties." Super Sr. with 1 year remaining. Was at UF for 3 years (graduated) and then at 6-6 Arky last season.

Good news for a Monday!

Source: https://www.on3.com/teams/kentucky-...aun-commits-kentucky-football-transfer-poral/

 

[vhcat70]

Sounds great. Thanks.

Not him in particular, but I wonder why guys change for one year when they've been successful where they are? Just seems strange to me.

 

[LosGatos]

more money maybe?

 

[Soupbean]

I'll get this out of the way . . . Always good to add some Braun to the OL. Welcome Big Josh!

 

[The-Hack]

6-6, 340?

Sounds like a Road grader at guard, and he graded out well for pass protection.

Maybe just two or three more bigguns from the portal would suffice, a tackle or two and a center.

 

[Caveman Catfan]

Rather than find a center in the portal, I suspect UK intends to see which returning guards are best suited for that position.

 

[catsfanbgky]

Or wait until one they like comes available and will commit. It is still a long way to go with the portal. We may already have one, just haven't announced it yet. Patience will pay off. We have done fairly well with the portal.

 

[The-Hack]

I'll get this out of the way . . . Always good to add some Braun to the OL. Welcome Big Josh!

Seriously, you have to love the name. Sounds like a Mid-Western hoss with some “brauny” Dutch/German ancestry. Check out the last names on tOSU, Michigan and Penn State’s O-lines!!

 

[LawCat1989]

Rather than find a center in the portal, I suspect UK intends to see which returning guards are best suited for that position.

I think they will land WKU Center Evan Wibberley.

 

[K_TIME]

OK....so this is hard to piece a starting OLine

RT: Is Malachi Woods ready in 2025
RG: Is Jager Burton the guy? Is Dylan Ray a legit option?....where is Aba Selm....is he ready?
C: Very pissed Keenum isn't ready. WTH are we doing with Oline development.....completely unnaceptable
LG: Assume it's Braun
LT: We have no idea at this point

Wolford is doing a terrible job outside of recruiting....why are we keeping him?

 

[satcheluk]

Sounds great. Thanks.

Not him in particular, but I wonder why guys change for one year when they've been successful where they are? Just seems strange to me.

Money, fit, direction team is heading, NFL draft success, culture....

 

[catben]

OK....so this is hard to piece a starting OLine

RT: Is Malachi Woods ready in 2025
RG: Is Jager Burton the guy? Is Dylan Ray a legit option?....where is Aba Selm....is he ready?
C: Very pissed Keenum isn't ready. WTH are we doing with Oline development.....completely unnaceptable
LG: Assume it's Braun
LT: We have no idea at this point

Wolford is doing a terrible job outside of recruiting....why are we keeping him?

What about the Farmer kid that transferred in from UF and started this year???

If he is going to start again at RG and they put Braun at left LG, is this the end of the Jager Burton era???

And I'm with you on Keenum. Why isn't he ready????

Also, we have a TON of Guards, why are we bringing in another one???

We need Tackles!!!!!

 

[satcheluk]

Rather than find a center in the portal, I suspect UK intends to see which returning guards are best suited for that position.

JRow has reported the WKU center Wibberly is transferring in.

 

[TX-Wildcat]

What about the Farmer kid that transferred in from UF and started this year???

If he is going to start again at RG and they put Braun at left LG, is this the end of the Jager Burton era???

And I'm with you on Keenum. Why isn't he ready????

Also, we have a TON of Guards, why are we bringing in another one???

We need Tackles!!!!!

This G is an upgrade though, we should always praise an upgrade! Agree though, need some monster OT's. Keenum is perplexing, for sure. I think @Caveman Catfan is on to something thinking we may be converting some Guard depth to Center depth.

 

[Padsfs07]

I do like that our portal focus seems to be on the offensive and defensive lines.

 

[LawCat1989]

What about the Farmer kid that transferred in from UF and started this year???

If he is going to start again at RG and they put Braun at left LG, is this the end of the Jager Burton era???

And I'm with you on Keenum. Why isn't he ready????

Also, we have a TON of Guards, why are we bringing in another one???

We need Tackles!!!!!

Could be getting one with Alex Wollschlaeger. Have seen several saying UK in a good spot with him. IU and Ole Miss among others have offered him also though.

 

[satcheluk]

OK....so this is hard to piece a starting OLine

RT: Is Malachi Woods ready in 2025
RG: Is Jager Burton the guy? Is Dylan Ray a legit option?....where is Aba Selm....is he ready?
C: Very pissed Keenum isn't ready. WTH are we doing with Oline development.....completely unnaceptable
LG: Assume it's Braun
LT: We have no idea at this point

Wolford is doing a terrible job outside of recruiting....why are we keeping him?

It is unbelievably rare for a RS Freshman O lineman to have developed quick enough to be given the starting job before spring practice. "Very pissed" would be a result of unreasonable expectations, not poor development. Year three is when Olineman generally start getting snaps and, if they are better than avg, then they find the rotation mid season and start their final two seasons. If you expect more than that, then that's on you.

 

[TX-Wildcat]

JRow has reported the WKU center Wibberly is transferring in.

Would be awesome. Borrowed the following from ON3 (https://www.on3.com/teams/kentucky-...sfer-evan-wibberley-schedules-kentucky-visit/)...

Center Evan Wibberley:

A redshirt sophomore, the 6-foot-5, 295-pound product out of Dixie Heights High School in Edgewood, KY has two years of eligibility remaining.

Wibberley officially entered his name into the portal earlier this week. He is viewed as a potential plug-and-play starter and could fill in immediately as Eli Cox's replacement at center if he ends up choosing the Wildcats.

Considered a three-star recruit out of high school, Wibberley sat out his entire freshman season at WKU due to injury. As a redshirt freshman the following season in 2023, he appeared in 11 games for the Hilltoppers. He was primarily used as a depth piece on special teams that season but had to take over as the emergency starter in WKU’s 38-35 overtime bowl win over Old Dominion. Wibberley was later named to the Conference USA All-Freshman Team.

He developed into a full-time starter at center for the Hilltoppers this past season and was one of 15 players on WKU to earn All-CUSA honors, receiving an Honorable Mention nod. According to PFF, Wibberley allowed just 11 quarterback pressures without giving up any sacks in 2024 while playing nearly 900 snaps.

Sure do like the sound of this!

 

[TX-Wildcat]

It is unbelievably rare for a RS Freshman O lineman to have developed quick enough to be given the starting job before spring practice. "Very pissed" would be a result of unreasonable expectations, not poor development. Year three is when Olineman generally start getting snaps and, if they are better than avg, then they find the rotation mid season and start their final two seasons. If you expect more than that, then that's on you.

Especially true for P5 programs!

 

[HerrosHeroes]

more money maybe?

Naw, he just likes blue and white instead of blue and orange.

 

[gamecockcat]

What about the Farmer kid that transferred in from UF and started this year???

If he is going to start again at RG and they put Braun at left LG, is this the end of the Jager Burton era???

And I'm with you on Keenum. Why isn't he ready????

Also, we have a TON of Guards, why are we bringing in another one???

We need Tackles!!!!!

I thought Farmer at RG was one of our most consistent OL this year. Don't think Braun will unseat him. If they plug Braun in at LG, Burton is a backup (as he should be, imo). Head scratcher at Keenum's lack of development. He's been the heir apparent for a while and I expected him to progress to the point of moving Eli back to his more natural position, imo, of OG. But, that was never mentioned all last year so Keenum must not be the answer. I don't guess Burton is long enough to move to tackle is he? Wood at RT made all-freshman team and that's a bit surprising to me. Graded out pretty well, too. If he improves he may be solid at RT. LT is a mystery and a big hole to fill.

 

[TX-Wildcat]

 

[satcheluk]

Especially true for P5 programs!

Absolutely, that's why, if I was not a shoe in early rotational, Olinemen HS prospect, I would go to a G5 school where I felt I could see the field as a RS freshman and start as a sophomore, then transfer to a P5 for my last two years and get paid.

 

[Soupbean]

OK....so this is hard to piece a starting OLine

RT: Is Malachi Woods ready in 2025
RG: Is Jager Burton the guy? Is Dylan Ray a legit option?....where is Aba Selm....is he ready?
C: Very pissed Keenum isn't ready. WTH are we doing with Oline development.....completely unnaceptable
LG: Assume it's Braun
LT: We have no idea at this point

Wolford is doing a terrible job outside of recruiting....why are we keeping him?

Keenum was always the guy I thought would be our next start at center and I too am disapointed we're not hearing more about his development. I mean Drake Jackson is right there working with him right?!!

 

[Padsfs07]

OK....so this is hard to piece a starting OLine

RT: Is Malachi Woods ready in 2025
RG: Is Jager Burton the guy? Is Dylan Ray a legit option?....where is Aba Selm....is he ready?
C: Very pissed Keenum isn't ready. WTH are we doing with Oline development.....completely unnaceptable
LG: Assume it's Braun
LT: We have no idea at this point

Wolford is doing a terrible job outside of recruiting....why are we keeping him?

Wood / Farmer / Wibberley / Braun / Crease
H. Johnson / Ray / Keenum / Burton / Mincey (?)
Nave / Selm somewhere in there also.

Getting Derek Simmons from W Carolina, Gunnar Hansen from Vandy, or Alex Wollschlaeger from BG would help at the tackle spot (assuming Wibberley is committing)

 

[trueblujr2]

more money maybe?

Certainly hope we are planning to outspend everyone for quality OL.

 

[LawCat1989]

Could be getting one with Alex Wollschlaeger. Have seen several saying UK in a good spot with him. IU and Ole Miss among others have offered him also though.

Wollschlaeger is a Cat per KSR.

 

[Grumpyolddawg]

Braum is a good guy, committed to UGA or maybe to Sam Pittman. When Pittman got the head Arky job he flipped to and signed with UF. Believe he started but played a good bit if he didn't. Transferred to Arky and started for them.

 

[Eccain01]

OK....so this is hard to piece a starting OLine

RT: Is Malachi Woods ready in 2025
RG: Is Jager Burton the guy? Is Dylan Ray a legit option?....where is Aba Selm....is he ready?
C: Very pissed Keenum isn't ready. WTH are we doing with Oline development.....completely unnaceptable
LG: Assume it's Braun
LT: We have no idea at this point

Wolford is doing a terrible job outside of recruiting....why are we keeping him?

Because recruiting is how to fix these problems lol

 

[trueblujr2]

Would be awesome. Borrowed the following from ON3 (https://www.on3.com/teams/kentucky-...sfer-evan-wibberley-schedules-kentucky-visit/)...

Center Evan Wibberley:

A redshirt sophomore, the 6-foot-5, 295-pound product out of Dixie Heights High School in Edgewood, KY has two years of eligibility remaining.

Wibberley officially entered his name into the portal earlier this week. He is viewed as a potential plug-and-play starter and could fill in immediately as Eli Cox's replacement at center if he ends up choosing the Wildcats.

Considered a three-star recruit out of high school, Wibberley sat out his entire freshman season at WKU due to injury. As a redshirt freshman the following season in 2023, he appeared in 11 games for the Hilltoppers. He was primarily used as a depth piece on special teams that season but had to take over as the emergency starter in WKU’s 38-35 overtime bowl win over Old Dominion. Wibberley was later named to the Conference USA All-Freshman Team.

He developed into a full-time starter at center for the Hilltoppers this past season and was one of 15 players on WKU to earn All-CUSA honors, receiving an Honorable Mention nod. According to PFF, Wibberley allowed just 11 quarterback pressures without giving up any sacks in 2024 while playing nearly 900 snaps.

Sure do like the sound of this!

Honorable Mention All-CUSA is meh, but from reading that it sounds like he is rapidly progressing and improving as a player, and with two years left, that will provide some stability at the position.

 

[K_TIME]

It is unbelievably rare for a RS Freshman O lineman to have developed quick enough to be given the starting job before spring practice. "Very pissed" would be a result of unreasonable expectations, not poor development. Year three is when Olineman generally start getting snaps and, if they are better than avg, then they find the rotation mid season and start their final two seasons. If you expect more than that, then that's on you.

Keenum redshirted in 2023....so 2025 will be a RS So...third year at UK. No excuse to have this many kids be in the program for 3 years that still aren't capable of seeing the field

 

[Caveman Catfan]

I think they will land WKU Center Evan Wibberley.

He looks like the main prospect for the center position.

 

[LawCat1989]

He looks like the main prospect for the center position.

I think line could look like this:

RT: Wood
RG: Farmer
C: Wibberley
LG: Braun
LT: Wollschlaeger

Although Wollschlaeger is a RT. Could maybe have him at RT and target another LT or move Wood. Not sure what the exact plan with him is.

 

[seccats04]

I think line could look like this:

RT: Wood
RG: Farmer
C: Wibberley
LG: Braun
LT: Wollschlaeger

Although Wollschlaeger is a RT. Could maybe have him at RT and target another LT or move Wood. Not sure what the exact plan with him is.

If Wood is starting again next year, that is not a good sign. He is still a couple of years away from being ready.

 

[LawCat1989]

If Wood is starting again next year, that is not a good sign. He is still a couple of years away from being ready.

I would agree although he did make freshman all SEC somehow and improved as season went on. Hopefully Wollschlaeger is RT and can add another player to serve as starting LT.

 

[R.O.T.Muckinfush]

This team is cooked next year fellas... not an sec starting oline

 

[LawCat1989]

This team is cooked next year fellas... not an sec starting oline

Then just keep bumping the Fire Stoops thread and go apple picking or find a hobby for the fall. Both the lineman UK added are quality players and likely to add more. Some people enjoy discussing the roster without every thread turning into the doom and gloom act. Does Stoops deserve criticism? Sure. Is he also the highest achieving coach UK has had in decades and achieved enough at a historically mediocre program to try and turn things around? Most rational people would say yes.. but UK message boards not exactly a rational place.

 

[mrschwump]

This team is cooked next year fellas... not an sec starting oline

Missed your negativity this weekend, thought you might be sick.

 

[K_TIME]

Then just keep bumping the Fire Stoops thread and go apple picking or find a hobby for the fall. Both the lineman UK added are quality players and likely to add more. Some people enjoy discussing the roster without every thread turning into the doom and gloom act. Does Stoops deserve criticism? Sure. Is he also the highest achieving coach UK has had in decades and achieved enough at a historically mediocre program to try and turn things around? Most rational people would say yes.. but UK message boards not exactly a rational place.

I get the point....but

1. Stoops/Bush/Wolford are all still here...so not exactly a great offensive staff that has proven anything.
2. I know there are NFL guys from smaller colleges....but a guy from Bowling Green, Western Kentucky and Arkansas...not exactly elite programs to be fair.


I think major league skepticism is reasonable given the absolute turd we saw from this same staff with transfers from Florida, Tennessee and Northern Illini last year.

 

[LawCat1989]

I get the point....but

1. Stoops/Bush/Wolford are all still here...so not exactly a great offensive staff that has proven anything.
2. I know there are NFL guys from smaller colleges....but a guy from Bowling Green, Western Kentucky and Arkansas...not exactly elite programs to be fair.


I think major league skepticism is reasonable given the absolute turd we saw from this same staff with transfers from Florida, Tennessee and Northern Illini last year.

Well the player from Arkansas was named All SEC 2nd team which neither of Farmer / Mincey from last seasons portal were. Wollschlaeger was also offered by IU (I think their coach is decent at ID’ing talent) and Ole Miss. Haven’t seen much on who else is offering Wibberley so not sure on him. Also not sure what other additions they will make to the line or improvements from current players. Everyone has the right to be skeptical sure, but every thread doesn’t have to turn into “we suck. Doesn’t matter who we get” either.