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The use a NASCAR metaphor, the Wildcats are not starting from the pole-position but they are start a lot closer to the front. This comes about from the 2015 addition of the Cats because of a solid redshirt program. Prior to the 2012 season when Larry Warford was draft to the Detroit Lions, the last last offensive lineman drafted from the Cats was Todd Perry to the Chicago Bears in 1993. This phenomenon speaks volumes as to the reason the Wildcats have had trouble winning on the gridiron. Between those years including Warford every offensive lineman capable of helping the team was played as a true freshman.
When you perused the Vanderbilt roster when James Franklin took over there was bevy of redshirts. The former coach didn't win but he had stocked the roster with a lot redshirts that Franklin benefited from.
In the third year of Stoops' tenure he has been about the business of stocking his roster with quality redshirts. He now begins the task of putting them in position to win football games.
Offensive line coach John Schlarman has had the benefit of redshirt every offensive lineman since they came aboard the UK program and that should start paying dividends. “We are bigger now thanks to Erik Korem and his staff,” Stoops said on signing day. Along with the redshirt freshman o-linemen that showed promise and played last season Schlarman has a bumper crop of 2014 redhirts to work with in spring practice. Those players include Josh Krok, Jarrett LaRubbio (both of which are 6-foot-8, 300 plus), Jervontius “Bunchy” Stallings, and Nick Richardson. In the seventies and eighties and a good portion of the nineties teams won with primarily strong defenses and a running game. But now big offensive linemen with long arms are the emphasis because of the passing game and the complexities of offenses. So now defense is no less prioritized but it all starts in the offensive line. The Wildcats started last season with two redshirt offensive linemen on the field. Kyle Meadows started in suspended Darrian Millers place and Ramsey Meyers started every game last season.
Other redshirts the coach will be looking at is wide receivers Alex Montgomery, and Jeff Badet from the 2013 class who were both recovering from injuries. He also redshirted wide receiver Thaddeus Snodgrass who lost a lot of time with a hamstring pull beginning last season fall practice so they decided to redshirt him instead. “They've done nothing but get stronger and smarter,” assistant coach Tommy Maniord. “This spring is a great opportunity for them.” Some felt Alex Montgomery could have played mid-way of last season.
As spring practice progresses we will be exploring the defense more where linebackers and defensive backs are of high priority.
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