True SEC Depth?
- Thread starter jhammons
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Safety for sure and I would say WR is a safe bet too.
Four solid running backs as well.
I would day Saftey, Running back, QB, D LINE, WR. I think corner we are 1 year out but have stud freshman and sophmores. I say depth is getting there just no experience.
Really would like to say LB, but feel we are still a little off as far as depth.
WR, Safety and RB I would consider SEC depth
WR, Safety and RB I would consider SEC depth
Not sure UK has SEC depth anywhere on the D side of the ball, based off past production of returners and the unknown of new players, Stamps and Forrester are good SEC players, I don't think anyone else on the defensive side have shown that. WR has some good guys and in my opinion is the deepest position of SEC depth for UK. RB has Boom who is a good SEC player, but the guys behind him are not proven at this point. QB has one of the top in the SEC as a starter, but no one knows whats behind him.
IMO what is over looked a lot is the fact that your depth is likely to be your next years starters at a lot of positions.
I do not think depth is too important on the OL except for when you have injuries since most coaches like to keep their starters in the game most of the time. I sometimes think this is a mistake since if you do not play your back ups they are not getting much experience for when they must take over the next season or so. I understand however because it is comforting to have that cohesive unit out there.
I do not think depth is too important on the OL except for when you have injuries since most coaches like to keep their starters in the game most of the time. I sometimes think this is a mistake since if you do not play your back ups they are not getting much experience for when they must take over the next season or so. I understand however because it is comforting to have that cohesive unit out there.
UK def has SEC depth at Saftey. Not even a question.
RB has four solid guys. Jo Jo Kemp is a third year guy and Boom and Horton saw plenty of time last year. True freshman King is ready to play now if it wasnt for the three guys in front of him being legit SEC backs.
UK depth has potential but it's not there yet. What depth UK does have is young, inexperienced and untested.
Boom is a very good SEC back, I don't know what happened with Kemp after the USC game, hurt, doghouse, punishment but he didn't do much late in the season for whatever reason. Horton just isn't on Boom's level, King on the other hand could be, especially in an offense like UK runs. Horton is a power back and UK's offense isn't a great fit for his skills, in my opinion.
What exactly IS "sec depth"? That's a very subjective term. Does that mean 3 players at every position that have game experience? If so I don't think you would find much SEC depth in. .. the SEC.
As pointed out we look very strong at receiver and safety and I like our QB depth too with Barker as the #2 having one and a half years with the program now and provided his healthy Phillips as the third option. There are SEC teams right now that are still trying to figure out who their #1 is.
I think we are a little "iffy" at the Jack going into the season especially with Hatcher out, and some inexperience there and the Sam backer as well. The left tackle spot has been mention. I"m not sure what we have beyond Swindell. I think we are little short at RB having to use a true freshmen in the 4th spot. Everywhere else looks pretty good IMO. It would sure be nice to get Heart & Love eligible.
As it stands now I would take our depth over most other teams this year.
As pointed out we look very strong at receiver and safety and I like our QB depth too with Barker as the #2 having one and a half years with the program now and provided his healthy Phillips as the third option. There are SEC teams right now that are still trying to figure out who their #1 is.
I think we are a little "iffy" at the Jack going into the season especially with Hatcher out, and some inexperience there and the Sam backer as well. The left tackle spot has been mention. I"m not sure what we have beyond Swindell. I think we are little short at RB having to use a true freshmen in the 4th spot. Everywhere else looks pretty good IMO. It would sure be nice to get Heart & Love eligible.
As it stands now I would take our depth over most other teams this year.
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Barker is yet to take a snap in a SEC game so we don't know what UK has in him until he does. Phillips isn't ready yet per Stoops a few days ago so that's a potential problem. The likely 3d stringer is a true freshman walk-on. Scary thought.
IMO it's having a backup at most positions and not seeing much of a drop off. I agree no one has a 3 deep with players ready to go.
Depth issues perceived or real are reason sports writers and national media don't have a handle on our season's success. In my view, we have SEC talent across the board (and more coming). Some positions are indeed deep in true SEC talent while others some experience, but more are untested. This team is fully capable of a 6-6 year plus more IF injuries especially don't take a toll. So, yes, we could be 5-7 or 7-5 in any reasonable estimate.
On defense, it means not having to put in a guy who is an obvious weak spot that the other team's offense will attack. Less certain what it means on O and ST.
Don't sell Horton short. Kid is a legit sec back. Totally different style of player than Boom. I'm really excited about him going forward. Also, Dawson has mentioned he wants to establish a power run game.
To me it means having someone able to come in and there not be much of a drop off. Very few teams can do that at every position, and no one can go 3 deep. Just because someone has been a part of the program doesn't mean they can step on the field and compete. Barker may be a great backup, and UK could be in a qb controversy when he does, but right now he is 100% an unknown. If being in the program a while means anything Hutson Mason would have been great, he was at UGA for 5 years, when he left HS he was the all time leading passer in Ga HS history, but he he didn't have SEC skills and has enter the coaching profession at one of Georgia's large HSs. They have to get an opportunity before you can judge their skill level, seen lots of all world practice players who just didn't get it done under the lights. Some will prove to be very good, some will just not live up to expectations.
Just going off what I saw of him last year, he is certainly a power back, but he lacked the quickness of the really good RBs in the SEC, basically your version of our Brendan Douglas.
Sec depth is being able to play the backup 40% and not have a noticeable dropoff. Heard Dawson talk about WVU entering biG play and they played starters 90% and they were just worn out by years end. Said he would like to get close to 50/50 on wr's.
Yeah, Horton was a step slow. Maybe the lost weight will help. If he can catch passes out of the backfield it'll be a benefit.
Safety, running back , and wide receiver..it's easier to build quality depth at the skill positions because they're able to play right away many times, it takes longer to build depth along the o-line, d-line and linebacker..those guys have to be physically mature and there have to be a whole lot of them (and those guys are the hardest ones to recruit and don't exactly grow on trees) ..as is the case in most years w/ UK, our skill players are at least comparable with our opponents, but it's the o-line and d-line the still set us (and most teams) apart from the upper-echelon of the SEC..I'm hopeful because Stoops seems to be placing a real emphasis on building those areas and from all reports (and looking at how much we improved last year) I expect both o-line, d-line and linebacker to be improved this year (which is immeasurable how much it will help our skill players)
With Kemp I heard that the coaches weren't completely thrilled with the way he practiced and they also said he wasn't near 100% healthy..but with what he did against South Carolina he has definitely shown he can gain yards against SEC defenses..I think he just needs to learn to be more consistent (just like most of our team) when he turns it on he can really play, but we just need that every single snap instead of just at crunch time
I think you are short changing a lot of people. If you are just talking SEC players then a lot of guys would fit in there. If you are looking at All SEC caliber players then yes just Forrest and Stamps. But several of our guys have shown they are SEC level. For starters McWilson had 4 Ints last year. That's pretty proven in my book.
STAMPS, EDWARDS , WEST those are 3 safties that can play just about anywhere in country IMO. I did mention the lack of experience. The reality is we are another year of giving UGA a good game still might not win but UK is closing the talent gap . You got to see that atleast. Top 20 classes instead of cllasses ranked anywhere from 45 to 70 which was a disgrace being a SEC football team. I think If UK puts it all together this year they have a chance of finishing 2nd behind UGA in east. I think we can win all our SEC games except against you all and AU.. the reality is we could lose most of them due to lack of experience.
Grumpy is correct in his analysis. We have a great deal of talent, but some are unproven until they get on the field. That is the basis of the predictions of 3-9 to 9-3. An analogy would be hiring a new employee. He or she may have the greatest resume, background, and credentials. The interview goes great and the hire is made. However, until the individual starts work, you cannot evaluate their worth to the company.
Agree with this completely. As stated, "SEC depth" logically seems to be able to bring in the back up and have little to No drop off in expected skill level and production. Kentucky has guys that physically and athletically measure up to what would be considered SEC skill levels pretty much across the board on Defense if you believe what the coaches say now verses two years ago(with experienced AND SEC caliber corners probably being the exception). Are they very high end, elite or All SEC skill levels across the board? No, but we have our share now(Stamps, Forrest, Lewis) that are proven commodities along with the other guys across the board that have the measureables. To say we don''t have SEC depth by the definition above because they haven't done it yet doesn't make sense because on most every SEC team the second string guy doesn't have the experience but has the talent. I think we measure up from a inexperienced talent standpoint now more than ever...
Our talent level in year three of Stoops recruiting efforts have brought better talent across the board than we've experienced in decades. Now, we will begin seeing what coaching and development can mean to player success.
I don't know McWilson but he seems to be a good frontline player, who is his backup, is he very near his level, is he a dropoff in ability or is he being counted on for depth as a projection? There is no doubt UK is more talented from 1 to 85, but there is no debating UK is more talented than recent years. My point is, everyone UK signs isn't going to pan out, its that way at every school regardless of the level that school recruits, you just can't expect every kid to be quality depth, I can't explain it, maybe work eithic, maybe they can't deal with not being the best athlete on the field.
No question not everyone won't pan out and most the younger guys won't pan out this year. It will take them a year or more. If you were just talking about the younger players then you are correct. Some of the vets we have are good enough just not All SEC though.
Stamps is a very good S, no question about it. But you can't say that about Edwards and West at this point, 2 months from today that could easily change. That's all I am saying, not that they aren't or will never be good depth, but as a RS frosh they are depth today, what level they turn out is to be determined. As for as finishing 2nd to UGA, UGA isn't a given winner, we return alot but we don't have a qb yet, plus a new OC and we couldn't stop the run last year. I think we could be good, but we are going to be playing quite a few true frosh, who haven't proven anything yet, 2-3 are very likely going to start on defense. Not a team in the East who doesn't have questions, UK might have less than anyone in the East. If we had a returning qb I would feel good about our season, but we have 3 and neither is stepping forward.
This is correct. We hope Edwards/West can play, UK certainly is counting on them. Others too. But something we should all remember...just because UK finally started recruiting good prospects doesn't mean the remainder of the SEC stopped. There's a fair share of Edwards/West types throughout the league just waiting their turn.
Really i pretty much agree what your saying I am just looking at the situation on potential. You are right they must prove themselves without a doubt and if they reach their potential I believe that will be a solid area (saftey) on the team.
Absolutely I agree, I am just saying on the potential of the players. Plus we are closing the Talent gap but only if these players reach their potential the talent gap then truly becomes more narrow.
I also think Kentucky could have (based on potential) maybe the best 1,2 punch at QB in SEC if Barker is as good what the reports have been this last week. He is a player that as well could of played just about anywhere due to his potential. I feel confident Barker could step in if something happens to Pat and there would not be much of a drop off. The only question, can Barker come in as a Redshirt on the Road, SEC game and get the job done if say Pat had an injury? Right now no one knows. The fact is the kid is loaded with talent and has a chance to be a UK great.
I know Stoops is an excellent DB coach and knows what he looks for in a DB, so no doubt they have the talent or he wouldn't have offered.
I think WR has SEC depth. In fact, just by the numbers I think UK and UT are tied for depth at this position. I'm not sure I would say there is depth at QB, look at Ohio State as an example, they lost their starting QB and then their backup last season. They were able to put the third man in and still win a national championship. If Towles and Barker were to go down, the season would be over. I think RB needs at least one more guy to say it has quality SEC depth but what depth is there seems pretty talented.
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