Wohlabaugh at Left Tackle

[JHB4UK]

Per another sites intel on Sat scrimmage.

Goes along with what someone told me last week, that the redshirt frosh was having a breakout camp. Buford kicked over to backing up Flax at Right tackle, Goodwin 2nd string at Left.

 

[cathouse]

Per another sites intel on Sat scrimmage.

Goes along with what someone told me last week, that the redshirt frosh was having a breakout camp. Buford kicked over to backing up Flax at Right tackle, Goodwin 2nd string at Left.

This makes me feel much better about LT.
Sometimes you must take talent over experience. The lack of experience will be remedied over time.

Lack of sufficient talent to play a position just simply can't be fixed.

 

[maysvilleky]

Per another sites intel on Sat scrimmage.

Goes along with what someone told me last week, that the redshirt frosh was having a breakout camp. Buford kicked over to backing up Flax at Right tackle, Goodwin 2nd string at Left.

Question is…is Wohlabaugh SEC caliber good or is it just because he’s the best option. We know in our bowl game our tackles were bad. IMO UK needed to get some experience from the portal but didn’t.

 

[UKSanders]

Question is…is Wohlabaugh SEC caliber good or is it just because he’s the best option. We know in our bowl game our tackles were bad. IMO UK needed to get some experience from the portal but didn’t.

Regarding left tackle - The only thing I think is somewhat comforting is the coaching staff felt good enough going thru and coming out of spring camp that they didn't heavily recruit the transfer portal for a LT...so hopefully that means Wohlabaugh really just has made a jump. IIRC, he has the genes b/c wasn't his dad an NFL OLineman?

 

[Caveman Catfan]

The coaches have seems comfortable with the OL discussion. It was clear Levis was prepped not to talk about LT on Saturday. He spoke about Manning, Cox, Horsey and Flax, but refrained from saying anything further. Buford seems close, but also seems to realize what he needs to work on (from interview). Scang seems good with Flax. Seems he has had a good camp.

 

[maroon79]

Bring it Big Wohl

 

[Bereacat420]

Geoff confirmed what was already being said last night that wohlabaugh is 1st string

 

[JHB4UK]

Well to be accurate, there weren't any decent left tackles in the portal outside of the Vandy kid. UK and about 75 to 90 other D1 football programs came out of Spring saying they were looking for LT help & depth. O linemen are the least frequent to enter the portal. LT the least of all.

 

[vhcat70]

Question is…is Wohlabaugh SEC caliber good or is it just because he’s the best option.

OK, then you don't believe the above statement, "the redshirt frosh was having a breakout camp." Got it.

 

[maysvilleky]

OK, then you don't believe the above statement, "the redshirt frosh was having a breakout camp." Got it.

You can breakout and be seen as the best option for the team, but it’s yet to be seen how he will do against top competition.

 

[K_TIME]

OK, then you don't believe the above statement, "the redshirt frosh was having a breakout camp." Got it.

Come on dude....People aren't wrong to wonder if Wohlbaugh is SEC good enough.

1. He is an untested redshirt Fr.
2. The coaches didn't bother to even play the backup OLine in a bowl game that out left side of the OLine was pure swiss cheese.

There is plenty of reason to wonder if we are going to take a big step back at LT. Let's see how it plays out.

 

[vhcat70]

You can breakout and be seen as the best option for the team, but it’s yet to be seen how he will do against top competition.

You can say that about any position where there is inexperience.

 

[lazydave841]

they didn't heavily recruit the transfer portal for a LT

Well to be accurate, there weren't any decent left tackles in the portal outside of the Vandy kid. UK and about 75 to 90 other D1 football programs came out of Spring saying they were looking for LT help & depth. O linemen are the least frequent to enter the portal. LT the least of all.

^^^
Miles Frazier was really the only good tackle in the portal. The Vandy kid had experience, but his tape was not very good. Landing at Bama has greatly exaggerated his worth in my book.

 

[seccats04]

Wohlabaugh has the length and athleticism to be a LT in the SEC. However, he looked really lean in the spring game. Hope he has put on some muscle since then. I was never sold on Buford being a LT in the SEC at 6-3. You just don't have the length to keep these star pass rushers off your QB no matter how long your arms are. We saw what happened to Horsey in the bowl game.

I've read that Buford is now behind Flax at RT. That may be a better fit for him but he still looks more like an OG to me.

 

[The-Hack]

The Big Blue Wohl.

It was meant to be.

 

[qwesley]

Wohlabaugh has the length and athleticism to be a LT in the SEC. However, he looked really lean in the spring game. Hope he has put on some muscle since then. I was never sold on Buford being a LT in the SEC at 6-3. You just don't have the length to keep these star pass rushers off your QB no matter how long your arms are. We saw what happened to Horsey in the bowl game.

I've read that Buford is now behind Flax at RT. That may be a better fit for him but he still looks more like an OG to me.

yes, listed at 280 is a real concern. Can he hold up in this league.

 

[Dallas-Wild]

You can breakout and be seen as the best option for the team, but it’s yet to be seen how he will do against top competition.

The UK DL IS top competition that he goes against daily.

 

[sieken]

As has been mentioned above, he has the genes from an NFL lineman. Remembering back from his signing day recap, he’s been doing film study since his Freshman year of high school. IMO, it was only a matter of time before he overtook the guy in front of him, he’s had a major head start compared to most guys coming into college.

 

[K_TIME]

yes, listed at 280 is a real concern. Can he hold up in this league.

This is the major concern for Wohlbaugh....he is only in his 2nd year of college strength and conditioning. But if he beat out the rest...then all be it.

 

[Bereacat420]

yes, listed at 280 is a real concern. Can he hold up in this league.

6'6 302 is what UK athletics says

 

[JHB4UK]

The UK DL IS top competition that he goes against daily.

Yup

He is pass blocking against Jordan Wright, JJ Weaver, Oxendine. Upper level SEC pass rushers to say the least.

We will have 3 of the 1st 4 games to get these 2 frosh LT ready. Against Florida we will use lots & lots of Bates as on-the-line TE on that side to help IMO. Then by Ole Miss game 5 I think O line will be hell on wheels.

 

[mrschwump]

6'6 302 is what UK athletics says

Don't know where that 280's coming from, DW's over 300. Dad was longtime NFL OL with Cowboys, brother was multiyear OL starter at Duke. Seemed to me UK was passive in their portal search for OTs which was a hint they could live with what they have. Said in spring that Wohlabaugh could be a surprise, we'll soon find out if he is.

 

[qwesley]

6'6 302 is what UK athletics says

Ok thanks that is much better. I saw the 280 on on3. He looks lean.

 

[cathouse]

^^^
Miles Frazier was really the only good tackle in the portal. The Vandy kid had experience, but his tape was not very good. Landing at Bama has greatly exaggerated his worth in my book.

And THAT ^^^^ is what has me concerned. That, and the bowl game.
AND, all the subtle talk from the OC and HC about the OL needing to get better in run blocking, and how much pressure our D line is getting on QB...... .
Stoops is not like Cal. He is honest about his team (when he can be), and if you listen to what he says, he will tell you HIS concerns.


You are right, the Vandy kid did not look good on tape, yet the staff pursued him really hard.

There is a reason that happened. I know you don't believe this staff doesn't know what a good OL looks like, so there was obviously a need to try to bring him on board, even though he isn't great at LT.

 

[Deeeefense]

Seemed to me UK was passive in their portal search for OTs

I think they looked but what they saw was at best no better than what they had, save the Vandy kid.

 

[lazydave841]

There is a reason that happened. I know you don't believe this staff doesn't know what a good OL looks like, so there was obviously a need to try to bring him on board, even though he isn't great at LT.

Multiple staffs offered. He was easily the second best tackle prospect in the portal. I'm just saying that's the point: everybody is always looking for LTs and the pond just didn't have many who project as ready to come in and play.

 

[gamecockcat]

My understanding of outside zone vs inside zone schemes is that the OL in outside zone schemes tend to be a bit smaller and more athletic. Seems like Wohlabaugh fits that bill if my understanding of the scheme is correct. I still think Buford will play a lot as will several others on the OL. By mid-season, I would expect 8-10 guys could reasonably be plugged in and the BBW perform well.

 

[southindycat]

I think Wohlabaugh will be fine, but his youth might mean we often avoid asking him to be at the point of attack in the running game. He's probably strong enough for pass pro. With his hoops and hockey background, I'm pretty confident about his feet, and his length advantage over Buford is obvious. I suppose someone might get over on him with pure bull rush, but in that case, shift the pocket and/or keep a chipper to buy him time. He might be less disadvantaged than we are tempted to assume in our present running game concepts. I think the biggest reason they tried Buford first might have been to maintain a clearer succession plan at LT. Suppose Wohlabaugh balls out this year... where do we plant him and the Big Fella down the road? This might be the best thing in the world for both of them, though, and the team, since we want rotational play anyway.

 

[Deeeefense]

Buford might ultimately work out better at RT.

 

[K_TIME]

I think Wohlabaugh will be fine, but his youth might mean we often avoid asking him to be at the point of attack in the running game. He's probably strong enough for pass pro. With his hoops and hockey background, I'm pretty confident about his feet, and his length advantage over Buford is obvious. I suppose someone might get over on him with pure bull rush, but in that case, shift the pocket and/or keep a chipper to buy him time. He might be less disadvantaged than we are tempted to assume in our present running game concepts. I think the biggest reason they tried Buford first might have been to maintain a clearer succession plan at LT. Suppose Wohlabaugh balls out this year... where do we plant him and the Big Fella down the road? This might be the best thing in the world for both of them, though, and the team, since we want rotational play anyway.

100% good point.

- Buford's future is at guard. We lose Manning and Horsey after this year... I think Buford slides right into guard competition with Jager Burton, John Young, Grant Bingham.
- Flax, Wohlbaugh and Goodwin appear to be the future at the tackle spot beyond this year. Le'ts see who wins out....but I love that Yenser is of the mindset to rotate OLine...so no matter who starts...they'll still get plenty of reps in game.

 

[maowen]

You can breakout and be seen as the best option for the team, but it’s yet to be seen how he will do against top competition.

I believe our defense will provide pretty good competition for our O line. This should help coaches determine how to determine “breakout”.

 

[mrschwump]

I think they looked but what they saw was at best no better than what they had, save the Vandy kid.

That's what I'm saying, they looked and decided to stand pat.

 

[JHB4UK]

With the developments in camp, now more than ever we need a stud tackle in the 2023 class. Malachi Wood is a great future prospect, but physically he will need 2 full years of body development to be ready to try and block SEC d linemen.

We need someone who can come & be ready to play game 1 of '23. Maybe have to look juco. As discussed, looking for a quality tackle in the portal ain't something to put a bet down on.

 

[zcats]

yes, listed at 280 is a real concern. Can he hold up in this league.

Listed now at 305 I think

 

[BigBadBlueDaddy]

Didn't want to rely on Wohlabaugh this soon...really needs another year of S&C. I take some comfort in that while Burton got all the headlines in that class, Schlarman really talked up Wohlabaugh on signing day.

 

[The-Hack]

Listed now at 305 I think

Gotta love this strength and conditioning Coach: Wohl has gained 25 pounds in the two days of this thread!!!

At this rate, he’ll top 500 by September 3rd!

 

[Bereacat420]

Multiple staffs offered. He was easily the second best tackle prospect in the portal. I'm just saying that's the point: everybody is always looking for LTs and the pond just didn't have many who project as ready to come in and play.

I love my team. The guy is starting for Bama. He is also the only one of the top OTs that is starting at OT. Frazier is playing guard. He couldn't be too bad.

 

[hmt5000]

And THAT ^^^^ is what has me concerned. That, and the bowl game.
AND, all the subtle talk from the OC and HC about the OL needing to get better in run blocking, and how much pressure our D line is getting on QB...... .
Stoops is not like Cal. He is honest about his team (when he can be), and if you listen to what he says, he will tell you HIS concerns.


You are right, the Vandy kid did not look good on tape, yet the staff pursued him really hard.

There is a reason that happened. I know you don't believe this staff doesn't know what a good OL looks like, so there was obviously a need to try to bring him on board, even though he isn't great at LT.

Our DL is as good as anyone though. It's not like we are gonna face 8 teams with a better front and lb'er corp. They might only see 2 groups better even counting a bowl trip.

 

[Caveman Catfan]

You can breakout and be seen as the best option for the team, but it’s yet to be seen how he will do against top competition.

We don’t have SEC caliber competition on the DL?

 

[zcats]

Gotta love this strength and conditioning Coach: Wohl has gained 25 pounds in the two days of this thread!!!

At this rate, he’ll top 500 by September 3rd!

6'6" and 302 lbs on the official roster linked to the top of this page for some time.