Coach says Tubman quick, agile but can add another 30 pounds
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Published on 02-05-2014 11:25 AM
Kentucky pulled off a signing day bonanza Wednesday when Seneca defensive lineman Lloyd Tubman picked the Wildcats over Penn State — where he had committed — along with hometown Louisville and Nebraska.
The 6-5, 240-pound lineman first committed to Vanderbilt and then switched to Penn State when coach James Franklin changed jobs. However, he visited UK Jan. 17 before he took his official visit to Penn State a week later and then canceled a trip to Nebraska.
Originally it looked like last week’s commitment by John Harden defensive tackle Matt Elam was the 28th — and final — commitment for the Wildcats. However, junior college safety Michael Mathis did not sign with the Cats and instead hopes to join the Cats in August — and that opened a spot for Tubman.
He joins Conner quarterback Drew Barker, South Warren defensive lineman Adrian Middleton and Elam as in-state players in UK’s 2014 recruiting class. While Barker is the highest rated player nationally with Elam next, some college coaches have speculated that Tubman was the state’s best college prospect.
“He is very quick and agile can put an additional 30 pounds on his frame without losing speed. Great pass rusher who needs to get stronger but he is a physical specimen after weight work on his own,” said Grover Sales, a volunteer assistant coach at Seneca. “He can play in the SEC. He can be a NFL player with development.”
He has run the 40-yard dash in 4.5 seconds and could possibly even play linebacker at Kentucky.
His late commitment to UK follows last year when Stoops and offensive coordinator, UK’s primary in-state recruiter, were able to land Franklin County receiver Ryan Timmons and Trinity defensive lineman Jason Hatcher at the last minute when they turned down national powers to stay home and play.
Sales, an avid UK fan, thinks adding Tubman is just as big for Stoops and UK.
“James Franklin and (assistant) Herb Hand spent a lot of time on him. Franklin flew into Scott County to see him when Seneca played them. I took him to Vandy for his official visit.They really put on the dog for him,” Sales said.
Sales said Tubman’s personality off the field differs from his play on the field.
“He is very quiet and shy. He was raised by his mother,” Sale said. “He is respectful and a hard worker. I tried not to influence his decision.He knows that I graduated from UK but he made up his own mind I think he has fallen in love with UK like Elam did.”
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