QB DEUCE HOGAN Q&A:
* Hogan says he chose UK for variety of reasons but biggest were seeing Cats on upward trend and the pro-style offense that Liam Coen uses. UK “checked all the right boxes.”
* Hogan was in the portal to leave Iowa before the Citrus Bowl and already considering the Cats, but that definitely put in him in an unusual position. He joked that it was a “If you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em” welcome to Lexington.
* Hogan said one thing that really stood out about visiting Kentucky was that everyone looked like they were happy to be in the building and having fun. Music in the facility, people dancing around and happy to be there. “It was super-cool from the outside looking in.” Sports are supposed to be about having fun and chasing your dreams, he added.
* Hogan said he just wants an opportunity at UK. Didn’t expect any promises. Just wants to compete.
WR TAYVION ROBINSON:
* Seeing Wan’Dale Robinson’s success last season was a big factor for Tayvion coming over from VaTech. He wants a chance to put up those kind of numbers, something he believes he can do but hasn’t done yet in college.
* Robinson said it’s interesting to see where UK’s offense has come from 2019 and the Belk Bowl.
* Robinson joked that he got his “welcome to college” moment, his first real big hit, from UK safety Yusuf Corker in the Belk Bowl.
* Likes being used for punt returns and the opportunities that provides. Really confident guy back there.
* Robinson wants to use his experience to “lead by example” and help young guys know how to carry themselves in college football.
* You hear all kinds of pitches from college coaches when you’re being recruited, Robinson said, but it’s amazing to sit down with a coach like Liam Coen and to see how much the offense is just like what the LA Rams use. He can see himself in the role that Cooper Kupp plays, running those routes.
* Seeing guys like Levis and Robinson have instant success after transferring to UK made him comfortable with picking the Cats.
OL TASHAWN MANNING Q&A:
* Likes the reputation and work ethic of the Big Blue Wall, the way the fans respect and love the big guys up front. Thinks it’s awesome the way the OL gets love. “I’m here for it.”
* Manning has experience as a guard but also expects to cross-train some at center.
* Not too big of an adjustment to the style and scheme that UK is using, Manning said. Won’t be a major transition from Auburn to UK.
* Manning sees good leadership in the OL room, guys like Horsey and Cox, and he envisions himself as a leader as well. Sees this as a big year for him personally, last chance to play college football.
* Manning beat cancer. Was diagnosed in Nov. 2015. Never takes football for granted because of that. Still gets emotional when he thinks about it.
* On Kentucky football taking another step forward… Thinks the coaches and players are in place to get them to Atlanta. When he was around the team in Orlando, he saw the culture and mindset you need. “I was ready to suit up with them.”
DL DARRION HENRY-YOUNG Q&A:
* Vince Marrow was a big part of his recruitment. Everyone loves him, DHY says. “True to his word.” Came to UK for a “bigger opportunity.”
* Being an Ohio kid, it was always a dream to play for Ohio State, but he always liked Kentucky during his recruitment. You can tell Mark Stoops was “building something different.”
* Grew up with UK running back JuTahn McClain, great to be reunited with him and trying to take the Cats to a new level. He was once a young RB, too, and could have made a good duo with JuTahn “but I got too big.”
* Was really impressed by how hard guys were working and pushing each other when he visited UK.
* DHY wanted to be at a place where he could make a big impact and the team was in position to compete in the conference. Even though he was at a place like Ohio State, he feels like the SEC is the best conference and features the best players.
* Hogan says he chose UK for variety of reasons but biggest were seeing Cats on upward trend and the pro-style offense that Liam Coen uses. UK “checked all the right boxes.”
* Hogan was in the portal to leave Iowa before the Citrus Bowl and already considering the Cats, but that definitely put in him in an unusual position. He joked that it was a “If you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em” welcome to Lexington.
* Hogan said one thing that really stood out about visiting Kentucky was that everyone looked like they were happy to be in the building and having fun. Music in the facility, people dancing around and happy to be there. “It was super-cool from the outside looking in.” Sports are supposed to be about having fun and chasing your dreams, he added.
* Hogan said he just wants an opportunity at UK. Didn’t expect any promises. Just wants to compete.
WR TAYVION ROBINSON:
* Seeing Wan’Dale Robinson’s success last season was a big factor for Tayvion coming over from VaTech. He wants a chance to put up those kind of numbers, something he believes he can do but hasn’t done yet in college.
* Robinson said it’s interesting to see where UK’s offense has come from 2019 and the Belk Bowl.
* Robinson joked that he got his “welcome to college” moment, his first real big hit, from UK safety Yusuf Corker in the Belk Bowl.
* Likes being used for punt returns and the opportunities that provides. Really confident guy back there.
* Robinson wants to use his experience to “lead by example” and help young guys know how to carry themselves in college football.
* You hear all kinds of pitches from college coaches when you’re being recruited, Robinson said, but it’s amazing to sit down with a coach like Liam Coen and to see how much the offense is just like what the LA Rams use. He can see himself in the role that Cooper Kupp plays, running those routes.
* Seeing guys like Levis and Robinson have instant success after transferring to UK made him comfortable with picking the Cats.
OL TASHAWN MANNING Q&A:
* Likes the reputation and work ethic of the Big Blue Wall, the way the fans respect and love the big guys up front. Thinks it’s awesome the way the OL gets love. “I’m here for it.”
* Manning has experience as a guard but also expects to cross-train some at center.
* Not too big of an adjustment to the style and scheme that UK is using, Manning said. Won’t be a major transition from Auburn to UK.
* Manning sees good leadership in the OL room, guys like Horsey and Cox, and he envisions himself as a leader as well. Sees this as a big year for him personally, last chance to play college football.
* Manning beat cancer. Was diagnosed in Nov. 2015. Never takes football for granted because of that. Still gets emotional when he thinks about it.
* On Kentucky football taking another step forward… Thinks the coaches and players are in place to get them to Atlanta. When he was around the team in Orlando, he saw the culture and mindset you need. “I was ready to suit up with them.”
DL DARRION HENRY-YOUNG Q&A:
* Vince Marrow was a big part of his recruitment. Everyone loves him, DHY says. “True to his word.” Came to UK for a “bigger opportunity.”
* Being an Ohio kid, it was always a dream to play for Ohio State, but he always liked Kentucky during his recruitment. You can tell Mark Stoops was “building something different.”
* Grew up with UK running back JuTahn McClain, great to be reunited with him and trying to take the Cats to a new level. He was once a young RB, too, and could have made a good duo with JuTahn “but I got too big.”
* Was really impressed by how hard guys were working and pushing each other when he visited UK.
* DHY wanted to be at a place where he could make a big impact and the team was in position to compete in the conference. Even though he was at a place like Ohio State, he feels like the SEC is the best conference and features the best players.
