OL Joshua Braun is a CAT!

[Eccain01]

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.

I’m sure they are going to add another tackle. 2 -3 more oline for sure. Center and another tackle.

 

[LawCat1989]

I’m sure they are going to add another tackle. 2 -3 more oline for sure. Center and another tackle.

My post assumes they add Wibberley at C. But agree on another OT

 

[bigbluedon]

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.

Where is he from?

 

[bigbluedon]

The problem with all of this is, Wolford is still the coach.

 

[dallasg23]

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.

They had success, asked for more money and we denied. So they go somewhere else.

 

[LawCat1989]

Where is he from?

Wollschlaeger is from Bowling Green. Wibberley WKU (coincidentally also Bowling Green just different state lol)

 

[R.O.T.Muckinfush]

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.

Apple picking... sounds nice. Maybe i will. You are as rational as they come let me tell ya..

 

[Bereacat420]

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.

You can’t keep a guy that isn’t ready more than 2-3 years before they leave. If none will be ready until mid year 3 then there is no point in recruiting HS OL. I know that isn’t true but almost zero stay that long without seeing the field with the portal

 

[K_TIME]

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.

I get it....but...

1. Marques Cox was a NFL prospect from Northern Illinois
2. Mincey was Tennessee is better Oline...so surely he's going to be a good player for us
3. Farmer was.....Wolford wanted him badly at Bama...go getting him to UK form Florida will be a plus

I can go on and on...and I'm sure these guys have upside potential.

But to keep this same offensive staff is a major middle finger to fanbase......I dont' have a lick of faith in Bush...he looks way in over his head

 

[TucsonCat]

You can’t keep a guy that isn’t ready more than 2-3 years before they leave. If none will be ready until mid year 3 then there is no point in recruiting HS OL. I know that isn’t true but almost zero stay that long without seeing the field with the portal

I think this is just NIL torture porn. Maybe Alabama and Ohio State have to worry about that. But most schools, if you're not seeing the field, you're not wanted in the portal and you're biding your time where you committed. If the coaches see development.

 

[Bereacat420]

I think this is just NIL torture porn. Maybe Alabama and Ohio State have to worry about that. But most schools, if you're not seeing the field, you're not wanted in the portal and you're biding your time where you committed. If the coaches see development.

UK has had multiple 4 star and high 3 star guys that have transferred out after 1-2 years. Multiple OL have transferred out. Most transferred down or laterally. They still leave if they aren’t playing. Most haven’t been properly evaluated or developed.

 

[PopesReignOverCardinals]

Well the player from Arkansas was named All SEC 2nd team which neither of Farmer / Mincey from last seasons portal were.

Just to be clear, he was AP 2nd team All-SEC in 2023. He wasn't All-SEC in 2024. Still probably a good addition despite the "regression".

 

[LawCat1989]

Just to be clear, he was AP 2nd team All-SEC in 2023. He wasn't All-SEC in 2024. Still probably a good addition despite the "regression".

Correct. He did have a better 2024 PFF grade than any lineman UK had this year not that that’s saying a lot.

 

[LawCat1989]

I get it....but...

1. Marques Cox was a NFL prospect from Northern Illinois
2. Mincey was Tennessee is better Oline...so surely he's going to be a good player for us
3. Farmer was.....Wolford wanted him badly at Bama...go getting him to UK form Florida will be a plus

I can go on and on...and I'm sure these guys have upside potential.

But to keep this same offensive staff is a major middle finger to fanbase......I dont' have a lick of faith in Bush...he looks way in over his head

I think that’s fair. I also think some of the issue is having new OC every season as well. Hopefully some continuity will help but you are correct that this season wasn’t inspiring at all in terms of coaching.

 

[Kybluedude]

Yep. Coach Stoops will be here so I’m riding with the UK brand. Would I like a change… probably but I like he’s working to address needs. Maybe he got the message.

Watch the NFL starting lineups and there are plenty of smaller conference guys in there. Particularly on the lines.

Looks to me he has upgraded the o line already. Got a couple lbs. 1 from So Cal and the other from Marshall who puts out good players.

Take a note from Coach Pope. Fitting in might be the key rather than having a number of stars.

 

[postmodernprimate]

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

I've wondered why teams don't devote more NIL money to offensive line. Especially teams like UK that are looking to get an edge on teams that are devoting more resources to "flash" positions. I would think that eventually college teams will allocate $ in a similar manner to how NFL teams allocate resources. QB first, then line play, edge rushers... If there is currently an inefficiency in how other college teams are spending money we should exploit that.