How Young’s practice presence could pay off for offensive tackle, Kentucky

[Blue Decade]

"All coaching staffs make good decisions and bad decisions. The problem with being the man with the whistle and the big contract is that you don't know how your decisions will turn out. You just have to balance many factors, take your best shots, and learn from their consequences."

There was no reason to write facts known to everyone unless you think it adds import to what you write following. It doesn't. This is more of the same: "But their job is to build a program that wins EVERY year, not just burning redshirts. That means optimal player development. And that usually means more redshirts."

But their job is also to "These coaches want to win. Now." BTW, I want to win now vs. 2019 too. If we do, then I think we could very well have a good GAA replacement sign with UK before 2019. I take it you'd rather wait till 2019 to win though.

"I doubt GAA's actual 2015 contributions came close to what he could have contributed to our 2019 team as a 5th year senior."

You have no idea if GAA would have been here in 2019 if he didn't play in 2015, but of course if he was here in 2019 what you say is true. Duh. And he could have waited to enroll in 2017 & his 2021 contributions no doubt would be even higher.

"The argument that a small contribution justifies using a true freshman always rings with some fans,"

I think GAA made more than a small contribution in 2015. Ask Stoops & Schlarman. Unless they agree with you, you belittle GAA there. And if GAA's contribution was small, then & only then do you have a point. I don't know anyone who thinks a RS should be burned for a small contribution. Who are these "rings with some fans" fans?

BTW, if UK is 5-3 with 4 games to go & Leavitt & Meadows are out for 2+ games, you wouldn't burn LT's RS at that point? I would. If that meets your ""The argument that a small contribution justifies using a true freshman always rings with some fans,", then OK, I'm one of those "some fans". I think it would be a huge contribution.

LOL! I have not belittled GAA or any other Kentucky player. You made that up. I only suggested that a full year of contributions as a starter in year #5 generally contributes more to the program and more to the player's development than limited contributions as a true freshman. And I pointed out that this can't be fully illustrated until the end of the athlete's college career. If you disagree, that's fine. But don't be a jerk.

 

[Blue Decade]

Players who left early:
Couch
Johnson (although I think he did RS)
Robertson
Jarmon (RS, but only bc of stupid NCAA)
Cobb
Others?

Your list is correct, except that Dennis Johnson did not redshirt. Jarmon did redshirt, but he is outside this discussion because he was forced to leave by the NCAA due to a positive urine screen.

 

[Blue Decade]

My take on redshirts is you get the same number of years out of any player whether you redshirt them or not. Ther is one reason to redshirt IMO and that's to give them time to physically develop if needed. But if they are already physically ready then it's just a simple matter of whether they are the best on week one at their position or not. If so they will develop more by playing than by red shirting and not getting game action.

You only build more depth red shirting if the guys in front of them are better than they are coming in, If not you're just not building depth you're just putting off game development for the more talented player. I think you'll see George grow so much this year, partly because of the position change but more so because he learned under fire last year and he already knows what to expect but will have the confidence that comes with being a sophomore. If he had redshirted he would have still gone through this year battling confidence IMO.

Again all of this only if they are physically ready to go.

There are at least 5 reasons for a freshman football player to redshirt. You do it if the athlete needs to mature mentally and emotionally. Or if the athlete needs to establish himself as a student. Or if the athlete is injured. Or if the athlete needs to develop and mature physically in the conditioning program. Or if the athlete can offer more contributions to the program in 5 years than he can offer in 4 years, which is often about the other players at his position.

 

[Blue Decade]

This is a stale argument. If he is the best guy he should play. That is the way modern college football works in Tuscaloosa, Athens, Tallahassee, Knoxville and Columbus. No one can redshirt guys who are among the best in the country. Great players want to play and move on. We have a men's basketball coach who has pushed this position for years. You redshirt guys who are not ready to play or could not break into the 2 deep.

We are talking about a 2016 recruit, so it isn't a stale discussion.

 

[dustarm20]

Okay. You can't remember. I can. Stop trying to make this personal.

If you want a safe space, go be a Missouri fan. Anyway, this has become stale. If he's good enough, he plays early. If not, he redshirts. He has a lot of talent, hope it translates into a great career. Happy Spring Break! [banana]

 

[Blue Decade]

If you want a safe space, go be a Missouri fan. Anyway, this has become stale. If he's good enough, he plays early. If not, he redshirts. He has a lot of talent, hope it translates into a great career. Happy Spring Break! [banana]

The discussion isn't stale, because we are talking about a 2016 recruit. But your insults are stale and repetitive. I am a Lexington native, a Kentucky graduate, and a former player. Are you a University of Kentucky graduate? I am asking because you are pretty damn mouthy about telling me to go root for another school. Maybe you should practice what you preach.

 

[UKSanders_rivals37733]

The discussion isn't stale, because we are talking about a 2016 recruit. But your insults are stale and repetitive. I am a Lexington native, a Kentucky graduate, and a former player. Are you a University of Kentucky graduate? I am asking because you are pretty damn mouthy about telling me to go root for another school. Maybe you should practice what you preach.

Blue,

I understand that he's a 2016 recruit, but how does that make the argument change? Won't the real always be, "If he's the best available, he'll play"?

There are at least 5 reasons for a freshman football player to redshirt. You do it if the athlete needs to mature mentally and emotionally. Or if the athlete needs to establish himself as a student. Or if the athlete is injured. Or if the athlete needs to develop and mature physically in the conditioning program. Or if the athlete can offer more contributions to the program in 5 years than he can offer in 4 years, which is often about the other players at his position.

Regarding your statement above, what players wouldn't offer more in 5 year than 4? I completely agree with the rest of your reasons, but that's the only thing in your statement that I question.

 

[vhcat70]

LOL! I have not belittled GAA or any other Kentucky player. You made that up. I only suggested that a full year of contributions as a starter in year #5 generally contributes more to the program and more to the player's development than limited contributions as a true freshman. And I pointed out that this can't be fully illustrated until the end of the athlete's college career. If you disagree, that's fine. But don't be a jerk.

Why do you make stuff up? Just where did I write that a player normally isn't better in a 5th year than as a true FR? Just show me. Since you got nothing, the resorting to name-calling starts. You just can't handle it.

 

[WildCard]

You all are over complicating things a bit. If a guy is good enough to make the 2-deep (maybe 3-deep) at his position then play him. If not, you should "try" to RS them.

That's pretty much it.

I will offer a caveat about OL play. OL is a "unit" where you really don't have to sub much unless you get some injuries. And you don't really need a 1 for 1 second team O-line rotation. Many teams have some "multi-positional" starters and/or reserves meaning, barring injuries, they can functional well with 7 or 8 OLs leaving room to name an OL to the second team but not actually play him.

Regardless, this year is about winning at least 6 games and they should (and likely will) play ANYONE that can help meet that goal. You just don't want to do something bonehead stupid like ex-CSK did when he played 2 t-FR in the last 5 minutes of a 70 point rout in the 2nd game of the year and then never saw the field again for the rest of the season. CCS could have really used those 2 guys in his second year at UofL.

Peace

 

[ClearCat]

Not sure I follow you Slugger, he plays the same on the field either way. If he's good enough and plays as a freshmen and soph then leaves he's played two years. If he redshirts then leaves after RS Frosh and Soph years he's played two years. The redshirt doesn't change how many on the field years you get out of a player. It just can help manage how many productive years you get out them.

You only cheat the team if he isn't ready as frosh and then blossoms as a soph enough to leave. All this said, it's tough for any freshmen to be really ready to go in the SEC so you only play them if the people in front still aren't ready or are less ready. In that case get the talent on the field.

And BTW Landon isn't the type to be in a hurry to leave if things are going well for the program

You can't leave after your true sophomore season because of NFL draft rules. So if they play as true freshman you're guaranteed 3 years even if they leave early, not the 2 if they redshirt.

 

[dustarm20]

The discussion isn't stale, because we are talking about a 2016 recruit. But your insults are stale and repetitive. I am a Lexington native, a Kentucky graduate, and a former player. Are you a University of Kentucky graduate? I am asking because you are pretty damn mouthy about telling me to go root for another school. Maybe you should practice what you preach.

Yep, December 2005, College of Education. Congrats on playing but just because someone has a different opinion than you, it doesn't mean than they are wrong due to the fact that you played and have a different viewpoint. That is the problem here. I agreed with you on the comparison to Mike Pfeifer. I don't understand why you couldn't leave it at that. I guess you just like to argue for no reason. Go Landon Young!

 

[ukalumni00]

Young would start at several high quality programs as a True Freshman. He is that good. There is zero chance KY has the roster to allow him to RS. He may not start game 1, but I will bet he takes someone's starting spot sometime this season.

 

[Grumpyolddawg]

Young would start at several high quality programs as a True Freshman. He is that good. There is zero chance KY has the roster to allow him to RS. He may not start game 1, but I will bet he takes someone's starting spot sometime this season.

I agree, if he has the 5* ability of his ranking, he wouldn't redshirt at any program in the country. The only 5* I can remember RSing ended up being bust and played very little meaningful snaps. If he redshirts at UK, with the OL issues they have had especially at OT, then his evaulation was wrong. 5* OT come and start for elite programs, they don't redshirt, and almost all of them are 3 year guys. Now don't jump me I am not saying Young was misevaluated, I don't think UK is to the point that they can sign and RS 5* OTs, because the absolute top programs start them game one of their frosh years at LT.

 

[jauk11]

Young would start at several high quality programs as a True Freshman. He is that good. There is zero chance KY has the roster to allow him to RS. He may not start game 1, but I will bet he takes someone's starting spot sometime this season.

I agree.

And because of that scenario he will probably play earlier (game not in danger) than someone else for the added experience which will make him better later on when there is no doubt he should be starting.

Personally I am willing to believe his rating, and I think he earned it. Our coaches saw his potential just after his freshman year, (LONG before OSU) and everything I have read lately says he is the real deal, including his FIVE STAR rating. I agree that if he is a real five star he will play, regardless of how good AND experienced our returning OL is-------and I do think they will be much better.

 

[JHB4UK]

Great debate, but with the report from Gran this week that Leavitt is struggling at left tackle & has not beaten out Mosier for first string should slam the door on any thought of Young not only playing, but likely starting

Wish more than anything we had enough talent already on campus that we had the luxury of redshirting a 5* tackle, but we aren't there. somewhat better on the interior, thus we do have the ability to let Drake Jackson take an extra year improving his strength, learning before thrusting into the lineup in 2017.