The talent level is stockpiling to the extent that Head Coach Mark Stoops and some of his staff recognize as being top-shelf talent. But the person and or persons that recognize it best because they spend more time with the athletes than anybody associated with the Wildcat football team are the strength and conditioning coaches. Those among the BBN that have serious doubts in that evaluation or the trust in that overall summary should check out the credentials of those experts.
Those experts in the persons of head strength coach Corey Edmond and top assistant Mark Hill worked together at Oklahoma University 2002 - ’03 where they developed thirteen All-Americans and sent twenty-eight players to the NFL draft. During that period the Sooners were National Championship contenders. Edmond has twenty-three years in the capacity of award winning strength and conditioning coach. Hill and Edmond played together at Chattanooga and coach together at Arizona University. Hill did some impressive things as the head strength and conditioning coach at Indiana University before coming to UK this year.
Edmond said people don’t understand the importance of working with someone with the same mindset and this is why he has managed to recruit Hill to work with him. “He was playing football in Germany when we first hooked up in 2000 at Oklahoma,” Edmond explained. “My job is becoming a lot easier when players see their teammates and realize they have to get to work if they want to compete. The talent level is as such in the stockpiling process. It’s now like a lawnmower that’s loaded with gas and you are pulling the cord in the attempt to get it started. And once you get it started it takes off almost in a self-propelling fashion.
Would you think there would ever be a position on the Cat football team that would discourage a player from coming to UK and to an Alabama, instead? “When they see a Chris Westry or Derrick Baity at cornerback they would choose to compete elsewhere,” Edmond said. “Those guys a REAL players on the hoof.” In addition coming in is four-star Jordan Griffin from Jonesboro, Georgia who blew up during the recruiting process and the Cats had to fight off Georgia among others. Also Davonte Robinson a Herald-Leader “Class of Commonwealth” honoree. Most recruiting smart minds feel if Robinson had attended camps instead of running track in the summer, he would have blown up to a possible 5-star player. D. J. Eliot described Robinson as a ‘Bauller’ (his spelling) meaning a heck of a player.
Let’s attach some descriptions to some of the Cats:
Downhill Thumper – Jordan Jones is a physical linebacker who attacks and plays on the other side of the line of scrimmage.
Run the Arc – Denzel Ware is an edge rusher that uses speed to run outside of an offensive tackle and then flattens his path to pursue the quarterback.
Dancing Bear – Regie Meant a huge defensive lineman with the agility of a ballerina.
Space Player – Ryan Timmons and Jeff Badet typically excels in open areas due to speed and athletic ability.
Oily Hips – True Sophomore Josh Allen has the ability to change directions quickly and efficiently.
High Motor Guy – Mike Edwards is a player who displays tireless effort and until the whistle on every snap
.
Bubble Butt – Offensive linemen George Asafo-Adjei and Jervontius “Bunchy” Stallings possess a powerful lower body that provides speed and explosion.
Sand in the Pants – Linebacker Kobie Walker has outstanding potential and toughness but is undersize in the lower-body.
Phone Booth – Offensive tackle Cole Mosier has below average feet that performs best in short areas.
These descriptions go on and on but these are a few of the 2016 additions of these Wildcats.
A Look at a Schedule Change?
Kentucky should take a look at canceling Louisville and look to create a home and home with Ohio State University. No I’m not crazy or on something. The Cats would be better served allowing their collection of Ohio players to compete with the Buckeye’s. This is an everything to gain and nothing to lose situation – display your product in the area you are prolifically recruiting in. Just some food for thought and spin it whichever way you want.
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