ESPN blames 2014 class for UK struggles
- Thread starter screwduke
- Start date
I didn't think it was that bad, I do think it's slightly premature to truly judge that class but after this year we should be able to get a feel for what's in store for these kids.
So these kids are only True Juniors, it's hard to make impact in the SEC as a freshman or sophomore. Let this season play out first.
Note: I didn't read the article but does it note any of the impact of a first time HC and coaching turnover?
Note: I didn't read the article but does it note any of the impact of a first time HC and coaching turnover?
From the instant gratification crowd. One, those guys were JUST SO's & RS FR's last year at yet were supposed to LEAD? GMAB. Two, there was next to nothing in front of them thanks to Joker & his Enabler. And three, the Vandy loss wasn't on any of the players. Writer needs a day job.
I think it is worth mentioning that from that class Tubman, Stamps, Krok, Cory Johnson, Flannigan, LaRubbio, Snodgrass, Hendrix, and Richardson are no longer on the team. Richardson and Johnson both being four star linemen.
That's a lot of talent and potential that have played out their eligibility or for various reasons left Kentucky. I think the success of the younger players who will replace all those players will be just as big of a determining factor.
That's a lot of talent and potential that have played out their eligibility or for various reasons left Kentucky. I think the success of the younger players who will replace all those players will be just as big of a determining factor.
Here's my issue. Bring in a talented class surround them with at least average SEC players from previous classes and they would perform exponentially better.
But they were thrown into the Joker pit of hell recovery period and expected to win in the SEC?!?
You might get away with that in the ACC, but not in this conference.
But they were thrown into the Joker pit of hell recovery period and expected to win in the SEC?!?
You might get away with that in the ACC, but not in this conference.
First off the writer isn't totally correct. The problems are deeper than one class. Towles never developed and is gone now. Hatcher never developed. Timmons, Badet and Kemp were part of earlier classes. Kemp has played well at times but hasn't really exploded. Same with Badet. Timmons played poorly last year.
Second the writer might be a little off but it's not as unreasonable as some are saying. It's not like we are asking one recruiting class to win the SEC all by themselves. Really all they had to do was beat Vandy. You don't need 5 years worth of recruiting to beat Vandy. Also those guys were surrounded with some pretty good players from other classes. There were some good ones that were here when the '14 class was brought in such as McWilson, Kemp, Towles, Toth, Forrest, Hatcher, etc. Also they had a decent supporting class of younger players with them like Westry, Edwards, Conrad, GAA and Baity. The talent level might not be good enough to challenge for the SEC East but it is good enough that 6 to 8 wins should have happened. The main problem I have with the article is that it's more than the '14 class not stepping up. The '13 class didn't step up, neither did the '15 class.
Second the writer might be a little off but it's not as unreasonable as some are saying. It's not like we are asking one recruiting class to win the SEC all by themselves. Really all they had to do was beat Vandy. You don't need 5 years worth of recruiting to beat Vandy. Also those guys were surrounded with some pretty good players from other classes. There were some good ones that were here when the '14 class was brought in such as McWilson, Kemp, Towles, Toth, Forrest, Hatcher, etc. Also they had a decent supporting class of younger players with them like Westry, Edwards, Conrad, GAA and Baity. The talent level might not be good enough to challenge for the SEC East but it is good enough that 6 to 8 wins should have happened. The main problem I have with the article is that it's more than the '14 class not stepping up. The '13 class didn't step up, neither did the '15 class.
We turn the corner this year with class on class pitching in.
Members of Stoops' 2014 recruiting class were true sophomores and redshirt freshmen during our 2015 season. So the currently popular narrative that Kentucky's 2014 class was overrated is nuts. In basketball, Kentucky has had very good teams built around freshmen and sophomores. In SEC football, it doesn't work that way. Most football players need years of development. Smart Kentucky fans will be patient, ignore this goofy rush to judgment on our freshmen and sophomores, and give Stoops time to develop his players. Anyone who won't do that isn't worth listening to, and that includes this ESPN talking head.
Wrong. When you're the QB, you have a lot to do with every class. He made some awe inspiring plays. But then again, he went full retard at times. And everybody knows you don't go full retard.
That was actually my point. It's not just the 2014 class to blame other classes have had failures as well. The 2014 class has actually been the most successful.
Yep, no quality player has ever made several stupid plays. And if higher grade class Towles was supposed to lift the 2014 class - already during only their 2nd year here - so was ever other upper class player. No need to single him out as QB is you do. It's just not true.
He's not being singled out as a player, but as a QB. He was inconsistent, even at times when his line finally seemed to block for him. Football is all about the sum of its part. And QB consistency is a huge part of that.
I think that is a question the answer to is still to be determined. Few players show immense development their first two years in college. They tend to have their breakout years when they are Jr's. That was always the thing about the people that berated Hartline that bothered me. They did not accept that the first four game his Jr year before he got hurt he was playing a lot better than his So year. But that's an old saw. I am hoping this year we see some impact plays from the older classes that provide the leadership we need.
Many of the defensive players Stoops inherited improved a great deal. Can't say the same for the offensive guys...with QB being the most important and most evident failure.
FWIW, in an earlier blog this year, Maggard went a bit further. He suggested the "Stoops Era" may well be defined by the 2014 class. Third year players now, against a schedule that has 6 of 7 very winnable looking games at home. Yeah, there have been some defections but a darn good core remains. IMO, it is time for that class to truly step up.
Peace
And why is that?
I don't follow KSR but since Maggard joined their team I try to keep up with his posts/blogs/tweets but I have not seen anything "more negative" than what I alluded to in my earlier post.
Peace
Z, Bud, Forrest, Edwards, Harmon, Hendersson, Huguenin, McClain, Lewis, Meant, Toth, Ramsey, Juice ...
Why do people act like players don't develop under this staff?
Why do people act like players don't develop under this staff?
About half, and, with the exception of Bud (and even then he wasn't a true NFL prospect at that time), none of them accomplished much of anything until 2013.
Several players have improved since Stoops took the reigns. Bud, Paschal, KHenderson, Forrest, and Harmon to name a few. Each of these players played at a higher level in Eliot's defense. It takes more time to build a winner at Kentucky.
I have always found "development" to be a tricky subject. I think for the most part players "develop" because of (1) natural, God given talent and (2) enormous self motivation to be "the very best I can be". I say this because football coaches generally teach the same techniques and fundamentals. Now, without question, some coaches are simply better teachers than others. And some coaches might do a better job (or have the roster luxury) of putting players in positions to achieve maximum individual performance. But, by and large, it is up to the player to dedicate himself to being the best he can be. And sometimes, through no fault of his own other than a "shortage" of talent, his best just might not be good enough. I think it is much easier to criticize coaches on strategy or game plan than it is "player development". JMO.
Peace
Peace
Have you been living under a rock? Stoops and his staff made solid college football players out of Bud Dupree, Za'Darius Smith, Melvin Lewis, CJ Johnson, Farrington Huguenin, Josh Forrest, Denzil Ware, Ryan Flannigan, Khalid Henderson, JD Harmon, Chris Westry, Derrick Baity, Blake McClain, AJ Stamps, Mike Edwards, Javess Blue, Garrett Johnson, Jo Jo Kemp, Boom Williams, Sihiem King, CJ Conrad, Jon Toth, Ramsey Meyers, Nick Haynes, Cole Mosier, others. To remember here, Stoops' 1st full class was 2014, and most of those players were sophomores and redshirt freshmen in 2015. Let's judge them when they are juniors and seniors.
With all this developments you write about, please explain to me how the last two season the second half was a total collapse?
Just my view in general, if you have developed players talents through the season the second half of your season should be better than the beginning of the season.
Not trying to be a azz but the last two seasons anyone following saw the team was worse at the end of the season.
Is it unreasonable to want your team playing better at the end of the season than they were when they started the season?
The last two crash and burns don't speak well of Stoops coaching skills.
Not living under a rock, a hand full players have improved.
Stoops has got to show he can coach as well as he recruits.