First day in pads

[Beatle Bum]

Gran said Landon is pressing the guys for playing time. On the follow-up, he said:

On what about Landon Young has stood out: “You know freshmen, I’m not going to jump on any wagon there yet. He’s got a lot going on with all the calls and everything, but boy you can see his athleticism. Saw a lot of toughness in him. It’s hard when the first couple days you go with no pads and then they put the pads on and you can just see he’s not backing down. He’s honing his craft, and I love that. He’s a good football player.”

 

[Nuke99m.]

Great. Glad I'm wrong then. Offensive line should be shored up. Only thing left is d-line and we will be fine.

 

[lex cath]

If a freshman can compete for the job and earns it and the coaches agree I can't see why it would matter to any of us and it shows how either how weak we are at that position or after four practices he's just that much better than the rest. Stoops said everyone would earn their job this coming season so we will see. I was interested in Grans comments about TE which was shocking to me, heads up CJ !

 

[Deeeefense]

You said that a freshman shouldn't start on OL in SEC and I provided examples. They are loaded with talent and freshmen beat tthe others out. If Landon Young starts, it's a good thing.

Tennessee and Florida have also used multiple freshmen O-linemen within the last couple of years. Granted they, like Bama and others have done it out of necessity, like we might, but it can work.

 

[vhcat70]

Tennessee and Florida have also used multiple freshmen O-linemen within the last couple of years. Granted they, like Bama and others have done it out of necessity, like we might, but it can work.

If Young starts, I'd call it necessity. What else could it be?

 

[Beatle Bum]

If Young starts, I'd call it necessity. What else could it be?

Skill? Talent? Recruiting?

 

[lex cath]

If Young starts, I'd call it necessity. What else could it be?

Like necessity in, he just better in all phases ? I would agree if that's what he proves but less than a month away from the south miss game practice will tell us a lot I think. This might be something that subsides later on as experience shows out but he's a stud no doubt

 

[ukalumni00]

Young starting only proves what I already knew about the other tackles on this roster. Leavitt is TBD

 

[lex cath]

Young starting only proves what I already knew about the other tackles on this roster. Leavitt is TBD

Ukalum were you at the open practice Saturday? I watched him closely on his reps. What did you think of you were there ?

 

[ukalumni00]

Ukalum were you at the open practice Saturday? I watched him closely on his reps. What did you think of you were there ?

Was not there but have seen enough film on Landon to know what he is capable of. On the flip side, I have seen the other tackles up close and personal in several games and know what their limitations are. Leavitt remains TBD until he has more time to adjust. Landon is one of those once in a generation Olineman KY signs. If he stays healthy and continues to develop he has the tools to go high in the NFL draft.

 

[TBCat]

Basing it on not being here in the spring. His first practice was the other day. I don't expect a freshman who wasnt here in the spring to be ready to start in three weeks. Let's see how he does in pads for three weeks, learns the offensive calls and adapts to being a freshman in college.

In all due respect it's not as unheard of as you think for freshmen to start and play very well. As someone else pointed out in this thread the title game had 2 starting tackles that were freshmen. The mantra that we hear a lot about freshmen not being able to compete is simply not true. Freshmen do quite well even in the SEC. I know this goes against the grain of what most people believe to be common knowledge but the reality is that talent beats experience virtually 100% of the time. Even if it's close talent will win out. A 5 star true freshmen will eventually over the course of the season out play a 4 star who is a 5th year senior.

 

[ulismyman]

Good thing Cal doesnt believe in not playing freshmen...we couldnt compete...my point?? Play the best players regardless of class

 

[BIGBLUEQ]

Just my 2 cents worth, but I remember another frosh starting at OT for the CATS by the name of Antonio Hall, I think that worked out rather well. He was all SEC freshman and also 2x All SEC first team in his 4 years here at UK. So it is not out of the question for freshman to play and play well, even at Kentucky.

 

[Nuke99m.]

A lot of people are misconstruing what I'm saying. I was arguing with a now ignored poster that I do not think Young will not start from day 1. I'm not saying he won't start later in the season. If Young beats out incumbent lineman after 3 weeks in pads with no spring then so be it. I won't feel good about the rest of the line though.

 

[Badenov]

Kip Sixberry was a true freshman Guard who came in here and played very well.

 

[Anjiejo]

Aaron miller played very good as a freshman left tackle.. Both Miller.sixberry left the program the following year..
We somehow need to change this attrition with key players.. Hatcher and now meant just kills a def trying to build quality depth..

 

[RV]

Really. You are going to cherry pick 3 ALABAMA lineman on loaded teams with other 5 stars next to them and make the case that a freshman can start on UK's line.

I'll say it again . If UK starts a freshman on the o-line we are in trouble.

I think you're mistaken about the number of 5 star offensive linemen there are annually in the entire nation. Usually 4 or 5 and no - Alabama doesn't get them all.

 

[Soupbean]

Once again it's a case where not everybody is right or everybody wrong. There is room for validity in most all here. Nuke is not saying it can't be done, he just doesn't think it will be done on day 1 because of the short start.

And those that think if Landon starts it's because we're hurting at tackle may not be all wrong but it also doesn't mean he's ONLY starting because we're hurting either.

I was telling everybody 3 years ago what was coming with Landon. He is a unique talent and has a bulldog work ethic to go with it so if he does win the spot it's because he's that much better.

And I agree with K Time in that how soon he plays will have something to do with how we're handling the edge rushers early. He can step in and help with that much sooner with his footwork and agility.

 

[sluggercatfan]

If Young starts, I'd call it necessity. What else could it be?

Maybe he's doing it the old fashioned way...he's earning it:football::football:[thumb2][banana]:boxing::boxing::sunglasses:

 

[sluggercatfan]

Aaron miller played very good as a freshman left tackle.. Both Miller.sixberry left the program the following year..
We somehow need to change this attrition with key players.. Hatcher and now meant just kills a def trying to build quality depth..

What do you expect the coaches to do...cover stuff up like certain other places do? :football::football::flush:

 

[Anjiejo]

No..but it just seems like every time we are turning a corner we lose key guys that end up costing us a game or 2!!!

I guess i really can't say that it cost us wins because you never know what the outcome would be if you had them..
But it sure would make things a lot easier.

 

[shutzhund]

Awh, you mad?

You must haven't read what the media have said, or you're another pessimist that can't get it up anymore so you have to take your aggression out on here.

6'7" 310+ pounds isn't PHYSICALLY ready at ALL!

or you're also ignoring that fact that in only 4 days of practice he's pushing the starters for more playing time. Which also means by the 25 more practice's he'll probably be the starter.

You seem fixated on people "not being able to get to up". Something you'd like to tell us?

We're all friends here. We won't laugh.