Freddie Maggard and Nick Roush predict starters on offense
- Thread starter screwduke
- Start date
The Blue Nation views the current two deep and red shirt corp as the best in several decades. The coaching staff is too notch in every respect. But, can they win?
I just don't see them moving 5th year senior Toth from Center to Guard and playing true freshman Jackson at Center.
I agree with that. the center is the QB of the line and has to set the protection. that takes someone with enough knowledge of defensive schemes that they face to recognize coverages and blitzes and be able to call out the assignments. I can't see them putting a true freshmen in that spot. If Jackson gets any work at all this year it would more than likly be at guard IMO.
If Drake Jackson is ready to play I could see Toth moved to guard. Toth is 6"5 310 pounds. Toth body type better suited to guard than Drake Jackson. I also disagree with Bone starting I think Ross starts at outside wr.
Fun read, but I don't see any of the redshirt or freshmen wide receivers cracking the starting rotation, the WR Corp will operate differently in Grans system, therefore movement in positions will occur.
No way I see Toth, whom is really our only lineman projected as a draft pick, moving his position his senior year
Where is Bunchy Stallings ? He will be starting or backing up at either guard or backing up center.
I think it is possible to see Young starting at some point in the line
No way I see Toth, whom is really our only lineman projected as a draft pick, moving his position his senior year
Where is Bunchy Stallings ? He will be starting or backing up at either guard or backing up center.
I think it is possible to see Young starting at some point in the line
I hope that Ross is too talented to keep off the field at WR
I also would love to have a surprise step up on the o-line. One of the RS frosh make a huge impact or a returnee has the light bulb turn on. However, like everyone else - Young and maybe Jackson are just too good to keep on the sideline
I also would love to have a surprise step up on the o-line. One of the RS frosh make a huge impact or a returnee has the light bulb turn on. However, like everyone else - Young and maybe Jackson are just too good to keep on the sideline
1. I also don't see Jon Toth moving to guard.
2. I don't see Badet losing a spot at WR. He is by far the fastest WR on the squad and I think they'll want a homerun threat on the outside in Badet to compliment Juice/CJ working the middle of field and Dorian simply doesn't have great speed.
2. I don't see Badet losing a spot at WR. He is by far the fastest WR on the squad and I think they'll want a homerun threat on the outside in Badet to compliment Juice/CJ working the middle of field and Dorian simply doesn't have great speed.
moving Toth to guard to start a true frosh at C is trying to be too cute and dish out #HotTakes
keep it simple stupid, Toth starts at C for the 3rd straight season & Jackson redshirts
keep it simple stupid, Toth starts at C for the 3rd straight season & Jackson redshirts
That line prediction by Maggard is scary as hell. That would mean that every single player on the offensive line would be playing or learning a new position. We only lost 1 actual starter and yet he is suggesting that we change the line so much that we actually don't have a single returning starter (in terms of position). While I kind of like the idea of Toth playing guard and Jackson seeing some time at center, I really don't see how that could possibly be our best and most consistent lineup.
Personally, I think that Jackson is a solid recruit, but I would much rather see him redshirt and get experience on the scout team. He'd be having to block Elam on a regular basis on the scout team and he'll improve his technique and ability. He will be here for 4 years, most centers stick around all 4, so there is no reason to rush him onto the field.
Personally, I think that Jackson is a solid recruit, but I would much rather see him redshirt and get experience on the scout team. He'd be having to block Elam on a regular basis on the scout team and he'll improve his technique and ability. He will be here for 4 years, most centers stick around all 4, so there is no reason to rush him onto the field.
I like Bone as well I just think Ross gives us a guy who can beat press coverage consistently.
with all the drops last year i dont remember him dropping one. it was absolutely puzzling why he didn't get more balls his way.
Everyone keeps underestimating Jackson..... Toth begin at center at an early age, and Jackson could do the same thing, if needed..... I remember a certain lineman from Kentucky that wasn't too tall, but played a lot of years for Pittsburgh.... I think he's in the hall of fame now....
Still, if that would help the team for Toth to move over and teach Jackson the center position, on the job, it would give UK the best possible line... Then we would have a center already ready to step in without missing a beat...
I guess since that will probably be Toth position in the NFL, then he might not want to do that, but most quarterbacks in the NFL prefer to be able to see the field over their center...
Although, moving shouldn't be too much of a problem for Toth... Toth has the built to move, but how do you justify moving the all SEC center?.... Although, I think that Jackson would be up to the challenge, I don't think that UK is in that much of a need to play the freshmen.....
For the first time in forever, we can red shirt a top notch player... One at an important position too....
Still, if that would help the team for Toth to move over and teach Jackson the center position, on the job, it would give UK the best possible line... Then we would have a center already ready to step in without missing a beat...
I guess since that will probably be Toth position in the NFL, then he might not want to do that, but most quarterbacks in the NFL prefer to be able to see the field over their center...
Although, moving shouldn't be too much of a problem for Toth... Toth has the built to move, but how do you justify moving the all SEC center?.... Although, I think that Jackson would be up to the challenge, I don't think that UK is in that much of a need to play the freshmen.....
For the first time in forever, we can red shirt a top notch player... One at an important position too....
Strength or lack of same. He had major problems getting separation from SEC DBs.
There is a scenario in which Toth moves to guard and Jackson plays at center, which I don't think will happen. Toth can play guard and still make all of the calls and protections from that position. It would also mean that Jackson is as good or better than our current guards. That would be a huge gamble.
Drake will not RS. He will get some snaps at guard and center during the season. He should get plenty against NMSU and Austin Peay.
Someone with his frame and athletic ability shouldn't necessarily be used in route trees that require separation from SEC DBs. His routes should require positioning
of himself between the ball and the DB so he can go up or to the sides to make the catch.
agreed. he seemed to catch all those sideline throws early in the year and then they just stopped even trying to throw to him over there.
Jackson can play guard...if he is one of the 5 best lineman, you get him on the field. If that involves shuffling someone else to have your best 5 unit out there, you do so.
Many don't realize that Jackson doesn't have but one game of experience at C...he has played G though.
Many don't realize that Jackson doesn't have but one game of experience at C...he has played G though.
sounds awesome, lets go ahead and piss away his 5th year in the program when he would be working on his 4th straight starting year by playing him in blowout 4th quarters as a true freshmen
just like how Saban built Alabama!
Offensive lines not only require talent... they require time. The time for the offensive linemen to play with one another and understand one another. They are a cohesive unit. If we plug in Jackson at center next year that means that every single person on the offensive line would be playing a brand new position that they've never played before at Kentucky. While that might be the most talented, it is hard to imagine that it is the most cohesive.
Further, like I said before, center is not a position that is so needed in the NFL that it demands players to leave after just 3 years. Instead, even the best centers in the NCAA stick around and play for 4 years. So, we may very well be wasting Jackson's eligibility if we play him only in a limited backup role as a freshman. Instead, he could redshirt and get better on scout team and then start at center as a redshirt freshman and play there for 4 years. I personally think that serves him and UK much better.
Further, like I said before, center is not a position that is so needed in the NFL that it demands players to leave after just 3 years. Instead, even the best centers in the NCAA stick around and play for 4 years. So, we may very well be wasting Jackson's eligibility if we play him only in a limited backup role as a freshman. Instead, he could redshirt and get better on scout team and then start at center as a redshirt freshman and play there for 4 years. I personally think that serves him and UK much better.
Nobodies saying waste his redshirt as a back up. If Drake is one of your top 3 4 5 lineman you owe it to the team for him to play.
It is going to be a very interesting spring. The reality is that although the overwhelming weakness of the OLine last year was the Tackles, the interior was still underwhelming as well. One Guard spot is almost assuredly going to go to GAA. That leaves the other Guard most likely to Meyers or Haynes most likely and they have been here 4 years now as RS Juniors. IF Jackson is clearly better, then you get him on the field. If that means moving Toth to Guard or putting Jackson at Guard in place of the one of the two mentioned above then you do it.
Talent is going to trump experience and the Young, GAA, Toth, Jackson, and Leavitt definitely look to be the most talented across the board. IF the older guys beat out some of the above then that is a good problem to have.
Personally my money is on Jackson being on the field and starting before the year is over. Being here in the Spring and Summer will give him the time to match up physically and he just has that nasty IT factor and technique that sets him apart.
Well the problem you have is that you might have someone who is individually better than another person, but the offensive line as a whole might not be as good with that person. For instance, Toth has played with both Meyers and Haynes on either side of him. He played with them for a full season and is probably pretty used to where they will be and what they will do. They both return. Now the question is, will those three play together better as a unit than the combination of Drake, George AA, and Toth? Drake might be better than Ramsey/Haynes, but they might be more cohesive as a unit than with Drake. So, we really can't go on pure talent alone.
Also, there are many people saying that Jackson will play a backup role. Well, Toth had a backup last year and Toth still never came off the field. So, will Jackson play a backup role at guard? Possible. How much will he play? If it isn't significant amounts of times where he may start at the end of the year then it is probably better to redshirt him.
I can't answer that question. Imo the best players will play. If continuity was everything olineman would not play until the older guy leaves and
We rotated the guards last year every 3rd series. If Drake is the back up he plays a ton. It really depends on Gran and Hinshaw philosophy with olineman. I will say if George and Drake block better pull better and are just better players than Haynes and Meyers they will start and build that continuity through spring and summer
Agree that if Jackson doesn't play starters minutes you should redshirt him. Just think about how much better we would have been with the tackle that graduated last year that played LT and made it in the pros. Can't remember his name, but he played as a freshman in limited minutes for Joker on a very bad team. Total waste. But I just don't think that will be the case with Jackson.
And continuity is definitely needed in Oline, bit if you have a clear talent deficit and a spring to get used to each other, you play the younger guy
Freddie M. Is awfully sharp....but moving Toth???? The most experienced lineman and signal caller for everyone else?????
I don't see the logic in that.
Of course, this is Kentucky football.
I don't see the logic in that.
Of course, this is Kentucky football.
Agreed. Toth was in discussion for the Rimington Award last yr. And with the quality and depth of talent we have at G why would take a guy out of a position he's played in college and excelled at.....just to play a rookie at a position he's barely played at? It makes more sense to play Toth at OC and Jackson at OG if he's that good.
In any case I think Jackson makes the 2 deep at G/C but doesn't start. And I think it's more likely Jackson RS's than starts.
If Toth plays any position other than Center, it will be Right Tackle.
You look all across college football and there is numerous olineman for contending teams that switch positions to get the best 5 on the field. Georgia had a guy in Clint Boling that is very similar to Toth that played all across the line. If Drake comes in knocking the snot out of the dline and the coaches think Center is his best spot they will play him there.
- I was very impressed by Drake performance at center in the recent AA game. Having 5th year senior Jon Toth a solid SEC center will allow the staff to re-shirt Drake. Barring injury IMO starting the 2017 season Drake Jackson will become a four year center starter for THE CATS! I was just as impressed by Landon Young tackle play in the same AA game. IMO Landon will be the only freshman lineman to play and very well may start! Red-shirt freshman linemen Wolf, Taylor, and Stenberg should play and will add quality depth to the other ten lettermen.
In some early games he did have some drops, and after that he seem to be on the sidelines the rest of the year. Hopefully if a guy can't make a catch this year, there's enough players at that position for us to just say next up.