Yes, after watching Scott's game film I totally agree with you. The guy can certainly clog a zero gap and gobble up two offensive linemen. When I saw his game film, I was immediately thinking Bully McCall 2.0.
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State of 2023 Recruiting
- Thread starter Canned Heat
- Start date
Mining includes oil and gas exploration. I had a buddy that retired at 40 as an analyst for oil and gas wells using seismic imaging. He may have just heard how lucrative it can be if you get in with the right drillers.
This recruiting thread has been a great source of information. The back and forth discussions are good. I would like to thank everyone who civilly participated and dignified the thread with sportsmanlike behavior. To me, this looks like a good class that has addressed every position except quarterback. Is everyone in agreement that Kentucky's 2023 class is now final and done?
That. could certainly be the case. Didn't mean anything against young man, just not much mining goes on in his neck of the woods.
James Bubba McCollum was 6'1" 280#. I got to see him play. Low pad level. He played in a 4-3 but he played head-up on the opposing C much like a NT plays today. A great player for the times.
Looks like we would be about 6th in the conference if we were in the Big Ten. Saw where Gadson could be the biggest 'sleeper' of all the signees in the conference because of his size, strength and quickness. Said that he has a high ceiling and could be an All SEC type. Also liked the part that said we was one of the best in the conference of bringing in players of need.
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Break down of 5 stars by conference on national signing day.
SEC- 21
Big 12- 7
Pac 12- 5
ACC- 4
Big Ten- 1
SEC- 21
Big 12- 7
Pac 12- 5
ACC- 4
Big Ten- 1
To make it even more lopsided all the Big 12 5 stars are going to Texas or Oklahoma.
That’s SEC 21, Nation 17.
Then consider that Oklahoma and Texas are SEC bound in about 24 months, and the numbers become: SEC 27, Nation 11.
[I did a quick count of Four Star commitments, including Oklahoma and Texas’s numbers in the SEC and it was SEC 175, Nation 225. Not as lopsided as the 5 Stars, but still . . . .
The average SEC class has 11 Four Stars, leaving the rest of FBS football an average of 2 apiece.
Should all non-SEC Four Stars go only to the 50 remaining P5 programs (and none to G5), that would be SEC averaging 11 Four Stars, and the rest of the P5, 4.25 apiece!!
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Couple of other PWOs.
Hayden Dawahare, LB, Lexington, KY
Damin Green, DB, Lexington, KY
Hayden Dawahare, LB, Lexington, KY
Damin Green, DB, Lexington, KY
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Another UK PWO-
Tino Merlo, OL, Youngstown, OH
Our coaching staff has taken a large number of PWO offensive linemen in the 2023 class. In many years as a UK football fan, I have not previously seen such a focus taking large numbers of PWOs for one particular area of the roster. The names have been posted earlier on this thread, so you can scroll up to see them. We are going to have PWO offensive linemen falling all over each other. Most of these PWO players have enough size to be competitive if they can move their feet and manage in a SC program, and several of them come from very respectable hs programs.
Tino Merlo, OL, Youngstown, OH
Our coaching staff has taken a large number of PWO offensive linemen in the 2023 class. In many years as a UK football fan, I have not previously seen such a focus taking large numbers of PWOs for one particular area of the roster. The names have been posted earlier on this thread, so you can scroll up to see them. We are going to have PWO offensive linemen falling all over each other. Most of these PWO players have enough size to be competitive if they can move their feet and manage in a SC program, and several of them come from very respectable hs programs.
Gearing up a roster to handle the additional injuries (esp on both lines) from playing 9 SEC conf games starting in 2024
At 6-4 280 benches 315. Pretty good size kid standing next to the Big Dawg.
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PWO numbers have been amazing, I commented on this earlier and I'm wondering what brought this on? In the past, 3-4 PWOs a year was average for UK, this class is nearing 20 of which I think 8 are OL. Two I'm intrigued by are Jackson Bunn out of Alabama and Kyle Mixon out of the great HS program, Warner-Robbins, in GA. A big story in the next 3-4 years could be how UK "stole" these guys. In another post Rembrandt mentioned that Drake Jackson has been the ram-rod on these OL PWOs. Time's coming where we'll be thanking our lucky stars for guys like Jackson and CJ Conrad being associated with this program.
Speaking of PWOs, I still think Scott Padgett's son Luke will eventually see PT at C.
I agree with you.
With Luke Padgett at C, we could put an OL of PWOs on the field next year that would be as good or better than some college football teams' starting OLs of scholarship players. I won't get hysterical about this. I'm not suggesting our PWOs are as good as a Power 5 team's starting OL. It isn't at that level. But this is an impressive group of PWOs, and Drake Jackson has earned some big boy brownie points for the work he is doing. I think I see a long term role for Jackson on Stoops' staff. Hope so, anyway.
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I had completely forgot about Sebastian Scott. Thanks for the reminder. I really liked his film. He is on scholarship isn’t he? If so, why is he not listed on our commit list? He looks like a quintessential NG. 6’3 330
I like this move. Thought hang time last year could've been a notch better, let's bring in more competition and see what happens.
Yes.
There are rumors we are adapting to a new 6-4-3 defense, to take advantage of our depth at PWO.
At this rate, Stoops might be able to donate a body or two to the roundball squad, facilitating a 1-3-1-1 zone defense guaranteed to confused opponents!
Finally, a 1-3-1-1 defense. But why not a 1-3-1-2 defense, the extra man might come in handy on fast breaks.
Everyone knows the officials are blind.
Good news. Austin Ramsey now has a jersey (#76) and a place on UK's football roster.
Since Ramsey arrived on campus a little late and hasn't been discussed much lately, here is a recap. He was recruited by Coach Yenser out of Roman Catholic hs in Philadelphia. He had at least four B10 offers and turned down PA St to sign with us. Known for brutal strength, he played OT in hs but has a RG build and skill set at this level. I don't think we will see much of him in 2023. He will be working with the nutritionist and conditioning staff to reshape his body by replacing some bad weight with more good muscle. Potential high upside RG starter at some point, if he can control his weight and optimize his footwork.
Since Ramsey arrived on campus a little late and hasn't been discussed much lately, here is a recap. He was recruited by Coach Yenser out of Roman Catholic hs in Philadelphia. He had at least four B10 offers and turned down PA St to sign with us. Known for brutal strength, he played OT in hs but has a RG build and skill set at this level. I don't think we will see much of him in 2023. He will be working with the nutritionist and conditioning staff to reshape his body by replacing some bad weight with more good muscle. Potential high upside RG starter at some point, if he can control his weight and optimize his footwork.
Now that Austin Ramsey is here, I can take a shot at projecting roles this fall for the 2023 signees. Please chime in with your thoughts.
Nasir Addison- RS year.
Khamari Anderson- He is going to play a lot for Coen this fall and catch some meaningful passes.
Jaremiah Anglin- Probably makes the playing rotation at S by October. Going to be a very good player.
Ardall Banks- Underrated player. Begins the season as a possible RS but probably ends up playing a fair amount behind B. Brown as a "Z" in this pass heavy offense.
Anthony Brown- Will be our best slot receiver by October. Not necessarily the starter, but the most dangerous. Opponents will have to account for him.
Jayvant Brown- RS year.
Ty Bryant- Very underrated player, but probably gets a RS in 2023.
Tavion Gadson- RS year. Interesting DL prospect though.
Kendrick Gilbert- Future DT starter. Probably gets a RS year in 2023 unless there are multiple injuries.
Grant Godfrey- Great future, but gets a RS this year unless there are multiple injuries to more experienced LBs.
Koby Keenum- Going to be a starter in a couple of years, but RS in 2023.
Tanner Lemaster- RS year.
Shamar Porter- Makes the 2023 playing rotation as a backup X and Z receiver.
Austin Ramsey- RS year to work on conditioning and reshape his body.
Avery Stuart- Makes the regular playing rotation at CB by October. Future star.
Jamarion Wilcox- With the early hamstring injury, he may get into a couple of games but I see a RS year coming for him now.
Malachi Wood- RS year and 4,500 calories a day.
Tommy Ziesmer- RS year.
Nasir Addison- RS year.
Khamari Anderson- He is going to play a lot for Coen this fall and catch some meaningful passes.
Jaremiah Anglin- Probably makes the playing rotation at S by October. Going to be a very good player.
Ardall Banks- Underrated player. Begins the season as a possible RS but probably ends up playing a fair amount behind B. Brown as a "Z" in this pass heavy offense.
Anthony Brown- Will be our best slot receiver by October. Not necessarily the starter, but the most dangerous. Opponents will have to account for him.
Jayvant Brown- RS year.
Ty Bryant- Very underrated player, but probably gets a RS in 2023.
Tavion Gadson- RS year. Interesting DL prospect though.
Kendrick Gilbert- Future DT starter. Probably gets a RS year in 2023 unless there are multiple injuries.
Grant Godfrey- Great future, but gets a RS this year unless there are multiple injuries to more experienced LBs.
Koby Keenum- Going to be a starter in a couple of years, but RS in 2023.
Tanner Lemaster- RS year.
Shamar Porter- Makes the 2023 playing rotation as a backup X and Z receiver.
Austin Ramsey- RS year to work on conditioning and reshape his body.
Avery Stuart- Makes the regular playing rotation at CB by October. Future star.
Jamarion Wilcox- With the early hamstring injury, he may get into a couple of games but I see a RS year coming for him now.
Malachi Wood- RS year and 4,500 calories a day.
Tommy Ziesmer- RS year.
Jeremiah Anglin is in a knee brace and not practicing. He got hurt early on in workouts. I have read he is out for the year.
Feel good about those predictions although I would add that if they didn’t get 4 games to use b4 losing the rs season JW would get on the field a ton by mid October if not sooner.
I’m not questioning Anderson’s talent. I think he’s going to be a good one.
But, if he plays more than 4 games this year then someone is getting less snaps than last year. Granted, new OCs mean different rotations based on coaching preferences. It appears Cummings is again an important part of what Coen wants to do. Between Cummings, Kattus, Dingle, and Bates … do you foresee one of them not fitting into Coen’s system?
Injuries obviously move everyone up a rung on the ladder.
No. I foresee a lot of "twelve personnel", meaning that two TEs will be used together. This makes sense for a lot of reasons, including that it is a popular offensive set in the NFL for teams with depth at TE. "Twelve personnel" is a very versatile set, facilitating blitz pickups and run blocking as well as multiple route alternatives. And although we have a lot of skilled TEs, I suspect Anderson will prove to be the most skilled pass receiver of the group. Kattus may be our best all around TE, but none of them will be as dangerous of a receiver as Anderson. Not even Cummings. IMO.
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Like you, I think we’ll see a lot of 12 personnel. I know NFL rosters are smaller, but many NFL teams run 12 personnel with only 3 TEs on their entire roster. I think Stoops will try to save Anderson’s RS (barring injury).
I wouldn’t be surprised to see them hold Anderson out of two of the early OOC games, leaving them room to play him in 2 SEC games if they need him, while still keeping the RS on the table.
Bigger picture - I think he’s going to be very good.
Honestly like to see them occasionally run three tight ends. Defense would have to sub and go heavy. If they do, you then shift a TE and RB wide. If they don't you could run all day.
Cummings or DSK would be working against a safety in space in that situation. The one WR could be put in motion to avoid the jam at the LOS. Leary would pick them apart in those circumstances.
I know this is a recruiting thread, but I agree that Coen will try to create the mismatches you describe. He trusts Leary to make the audible at the line based on what he's seeing. I can easily see Coen running 13 personnel on 3rd and short. He'll go no huddle some to keep that jumbo defense on the field. Our TEs and rbs are capable of creating some nightmare mismatches for LBs in the passing game.
I brought this thread BTTT because I wanted to comment on projectable roles this fall for members of the class. The actual 2023 recruiting is over. I agree with everything you said. It isn't an accident that we have a deep TE room. Coen and Scan are NFL intellects. The strategic aspect of defeating athletic defenses with fast LBs continues to evolve, and 12 personnel or even 13 personnel doctrine give offenses a way to do it. Having the versatility to do what is necessary to defeat a modern defense will create more SEC wins.
IIRC, Tanner Lemaster was an April commit. Anderson committed to UC, and our coaches probably believed they were done recruiting TEs. Then Fickell took the WI job, and Anderson was too good to pass on. Maybe they will try to preserve his RS, but he is the best receiver in our TE room. Even better than Cummings and Dingell, although they are also productive players in our passing game. OTOH, Bates and Kattus are skilled blockers who are also adequate as receivers. Coach Stoops has never been shy about playing true freshmen when they earned the snaps, and Coach Coen is very aggressive. Cummings and Bates will be gone after this season, so the line keeps moving forward. Anderson participated in the spring, and it is not hard to believe that he might win a playing role because of his ball skills. But if everyone stays healthy and Cummings has a big season, maybe Andrrson does RS after all.
One guy that isn't getting a RS is Ty Bryant. Stoops raved about him yesterday. He said he had made the 2 deep and would be playing a ton of special teams. He said he was hard nosed and very coachable. One thing that is interesting here. Bryant was originally a '22 kid and took the covid year. Maybe UK knew he was doing that, but it seemed when the '22 class was coming together that he might not be a take. Now he is coming in a year later and going to get reps as a true Freshman. Worked out great for him
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