Something that should encourage us about our o-line

[Rhavic]

Gotta love when two of your offensive line commits are the two best offensive linemen at the All-American practices right out of the gate. (at least in the eyes of some).
Can't wait to see them take the field on the 9th!

Landon Young vs Mark Jackson (Texas A&M DE Commit, ranked 204 overall in 247composite)

Looks like Kash Daniel had a big day today as well, while we're mentioning our guys.

 

[Dallas-Wild]

Thanks for sharing...this is were games are won.

 

[DaBossIsBack]

We won't feel the impact of Jackson and young for a few years. But it's going to be an impact. Just need to get their buddy Wills here next year. Imagine those three as Rs juniors and seniors. Man.

 

[Rhavic]

We won't feel the impact of Jackson and young for a few years. But it's going to be an impact. Just need to get their buddy Wills here next year. Imagine those three as Rs juniors and seniors. Man.

Not a guarantee. With highly ranked recruits, many schools feel the impact immediately. I figure Landon Young will start at OT as a true freshman, and he'll do just fine with his size, quickness, and athleticism. Drake Jackson will likely redshirt, but not a hack at him, it's just that Jon Toth is one of the best centers in the country. I think having Leavitt and Young at the tackle positions could help our offense tremendously next season though.
Agree on the point that if we get Wills as well, we'll have the kind of offensive line that you need to compete with the big boys.

 

[Beatle Bum]

But some here still want the staff to go out and find some 2 & 3 star linemen at the end of the recruiting period.

 

[Rhavic]

But some here still want the staff to go out and find some 2 & 3 star linemen at the end of the recruiting period.

Well I can't fault that line of thinking. I think every class should have a couple of linemen that aren't quite as highly ranked, but have physical tools and athleticism to be terrific. Players like Young and Jackson should end up as starters in their future, but having quality depth that can give our offensive line a quicker, more athletic look (for the Floridas of the world) would take our line a long way.

 

[NCukcat62]

I have a question for any football recruiting guru. How does the Army AA game compare to the UA AA game? I feel like the UA has all the high profile players.

 

[Beatle Bum]

Well I can't fault that line of thinking. I think every class should have a couple of linemen that aren't quite as highly ranked, but have physical tools and athleticism to be terrific. Players like Young and Jackson should end up as starters in their future, but having quality depth that can give our offensive line a quicker, more athletic look (for the Floridas of the world) would take our line a long way.

This class does have 4 OLinemen.

Should we expect more?

 

[railroadkat_1]

Not a guarantee. With highly ranked recruits, many schools feel the impact immediately. I figure Landon Young will start at OT as a true freshman, and he'll do just fine with his size, quickness, and athleticism. Drake Jackson will likely redshirt, but not a hack at him, it's just that Jon Toth is one of the best centers in the country. I think having Leavitt and Young at the tackle positions could help our offense tremendously next season though.
Agree on the point that if we get Wills as well, we'll have the kind of offensive line that you need to compete with the big boys.

Rhavicc I hold you opinion in high regard. We agree with Drake Jackson. Drake has a new position To learn I'm holding off on Landon Young until fall. He has all the skill you look for in an offensive lineman especially his lateral quickness. Although I love his height and he is alethic, I question his strength therefore I defer his anointing until fall. If he beats every body else out he will earn a starting position! Thanks for your informed post. GBB

 

[akaukswoosh]

Thanks for sharing...this is were games are won.

Yep.

 

[Rhavic]

I have a question for any football recruiting guru. How does the Army AA game compare to the UA AA game? I feel like the UA has all the high profile players.

It varies. ESPN sponsors the UA All-American game, so that's the one that gets the more air-time. As far as talent level goes though, it depends. Recruits have to commit to one All-American game, can't play in the Army All-American game as well as the Under Armour All-American Game, or the Semper Fi All-American game.
This year, I've seen players like Shea Patterson (#2 overall QB, top 5 player in the class), Tyler Vaughns (#1 WR in the class), Jonathon Cooper (#2 DE in the class, 25th overall player), and so on and so forth. Has its share of 5 star players, and high 4 star players.
How good the talent is in these games every year completely depends on the recruits' choices in which game to play in.

Rhavicc I hold you opinion in high regard. We agree with Drake Jackson. Drake has a new position To learn I'm holding off on Landon Young until fall. He has all the skill you look for in an offensive lineman especially his lateral quickness. Although I love his height and he is alethic, I question his strength therefore I defer his anointing until fall. If he beats every body else out he will earn a starting position! Thanks for your informed post. GBB

Completely understandable, and much appreciated! I'm pretty confident in what I see from him though. Something about his physique puts me under the impression that he's quite strong. He doesn't need to be as strong as a player like George Asafo-Adjei coming in though. GAA should play OG next season (and he should have this season). It's more natural to him. To be around 315# and have Young's athleticism is big for Kentucky though. Stopping speed rushers is typically the big issue with our tackles though. He's not going to find many defensive ends in college football right now that are just going to man-handle him with brute force.
I'm definitely excited to see him at the next level though.

 

[NCukcat62]

Thanks @Rhavicc

 

[DaBossIsBack]

Not a guarantee. With highly ranked recruits, many schools feel the impact immediately. I figure Landon Young will start at OT as a true freshman, and he'll do just fine with his size, quickness, and athleticism. Drake Jackson will likely redshirt, but not a hack at him, it's just that Jon Toth is one of the best centers in the country. I think having Leavitt and Young at the tackle positions could help our offense tremendously next season though.
Agree on the point that if we get Wills as well, we'll have the kind of offensive line that you need to compete with the big boys.

I hope you're right. I would love to see young come in and be able to start. I'm concerned with his strength at this stage though. Especially in the run game.

 

[Rhavic]

This class does have 4 OLinemen.

Should we expect more?

I wouldn't expect another one unless he's highly ranked.

Thanks @Rhavicc

Notta problem!

I hope you're right. I would love to see young come in and be able to start. I'm concerned with his strength at this stage though. Especially in the run game.

I think he'll be alright. I understand the concern though. He's young. Thankfully though, he's going to be going against DE's more often than not, and he should be able to out-size every DE he goes against, which helps a ton. I've not seen much, or anything that would suggest he's physically "weak" though.

 

[Dallas-Wild]

Great discussion all...thanks OP we all know and understand the importance of a strong performing OL....with talented depth.

 

[Rhavic]

Great discussion all...thanks OP we all know and understand the importance of a strong performing OL....with talented depth.

Big fellas are the heart of the SEC. If you get talented linemen, you should be successful in the SEC. I'm just glad that we're taking steps in that direction. Excited about the future of the program.

 

[akaukswoosh]

Drake Jackson ‏@THE_DRAKE_52 2h2 hours ago

Great first day of practice at the #ArmyBowl with @KashDaniel15, @Landon_Young_67 and Coach Hawkins. #BBN pic.twitter.com/fknI7Y4ITP

 

[How Blue Can You Get?]

Not a guarantee. With highly ranked recruits, many schools feel the impact immediately. I figure Landon Young will start at OT as a true freshman, and he'll do just fine with his size, quickness, and athleticism. Drake Jackson will likely redshirt, but not a hack at him, it's just that Jon Toth is one of the best centers in the country. I think having Leavitt and Young at the tackle positions could help our offense tremendously next season though.
Agree on the point that if we get Wills as well, we'll have the kind of offensive line that you need to compete with the big boys.

Tell me how many true freshman start on the oline at sec schools other than vandy??? I think the answer will tell you how little impact they will have immediatly...or, it will show how far behind we truly are.

 

[Rhavic]

Tell me how many true freshman start on the oline at sec schools other than vandy??? I think the answer will tell you how little impact they will have immediatly...or, it will show how far behind we truly are.

SEC offensive linemen starting as true freshmen:

Martez Ivey: Florida
Blake Camper: South Carolina
Maea Teuhema: LSU
Keaton Sutherland, Texas A&M
Chance Hall, Tennessee
--

SEC offensive linemen who seen big minutes as true freshmen:

Jack Jones, Tennessee
Josh Allen, Arkansas
Toby Weathersby, LSU
Dallas Warmack, Alabama
Zach Bailey, South Carolina


==========

SEC defensive linemen starting as true freshmen:

Terry Beckner Jr., Mizzou (before injury)
Arden Key, LSU
Quandeski Whitlow, South Carolina
--

SEC defensive linemen who seen big minutes as true freshmen:

Khalil McKenzie, Tennessee
CeCe Jefferson, Florida
Byron Cowart, Auburn
Trenton Thompson, Georgia
Daron Payne, Alabama
Josh Moore, Mizzou

==========

So what schools are associated with this list of players again, that as true freshmen, made big impacts to their respective teams in the SEC?

Florida
Tennessee
Georgia
Auburn
Alabama
Mizzou
South Carolina
Arkansas
LSU
Texas A&M

Literally 10 out of the 14 SEC teams use true freshmen in their trenches. 5 different programs start those true freshmen on the offensive line, 3 start them on the defensive line, but 10 programs give these kids significant minutes to battle against the big fellas in the SEC.
Kentucky isn't the only one. If Kentucky was starting multiple true freshmen on the offensive line, I would take more of an issue with this, but starting one true freshman on the offensive of defensive line in the SEC is not the mark of a weak program, it's the mark of a terrific player

Bonus: Clemson, Oklahoma, Florida State, Houston (all New Year's Six bowl teams), start true freshmen on their offensive lines.

Questions?

 

[Rhavic]

Also, if anybody wants to read an article by Steve Wiltfong of 247sports on his evaluations of the top performers in the day 1 practice, follow the link! (All 3 of Kentucky's commits playing in this bowl game are mentioned).

http://247sports.com/Article/Army-Bowl-West-top-performers-day-one-42551742

For those that don't want to read the whole story, I'll cut out a couple of parts for you:

Drake Jackson and Landon Young were both listed in the top 5 overall offensive players today. They shared this honor with Shea Patterson (5 star Ole Miss QB commit), Michael Pittman (top 100, 4 star USC commit, WR), and Sewo Olonilua (4 star, top 250 TCU commit, RB). Only Shea Patterson was listed as a better performer than Jackson on the offensive side of the ball, which is pretty good, considering that Patterson is a top 5 player in the class.

2. OL, Drake Jackson – The nation’s No. 2 center and Kentucky commit is an absolute technician, quick learner, was calling out the plays on the line and is a mauler as a run blocker. The Top100 recruit played just about every snap as well. He’ll have a chance to make an early impact at Kentucky backing up Jon Toth at center while pushing for time at guard.

5. OL, Landon Young – The Kentucky commit lined up mostly on the right side but he is a prototypical left tackle that did well in pass blocking. A pretty looking offensive tackle that plays with strength at the point of attack.

=====

Kash Daniel didn't list as a top 5 performer on defense, but he was one of the most impressive outside of that group.

It was obvious the nation’s No. 3 inside linebacker in Kentucky commit Kash Daniel was searching for contact. An instinctual player that plays fast and he also made a nice interception on a throw over the middle.

 

[jauk11]

Great thread, thanks for the info.

 

[Anjiejo]

Tell me how many true freshman start on the oline at sec schools other than vandy??? I think the answer will tell you how little impact they will have immediatly...or, it will show how far behind we truly are.

TN started 2 freshman this past year... I remember they played good enough to win against GA.. RT and RG if i remember correctly..

 

[CatDaddy4daWin]

If all our guys play well this week, could get Young a 5th star and Daniel a 4th...that would be a nice bump to our recruiting #...would love to finish in the top 25 just for bragging rights. Because regardless, i LOVE this class.

 

[railroadkat_1]

Rhavicc thank you, this is a great thread with good discussion. Your information on freshman offensive and defensive starters by SEC schools was eye opening. I had no ideal there were that many, wow. I do believe that with good coaching, competition and throw in returning players and freshman we can have a good O-line. Now I'm starting to get excited. Thanks to all contributing posters

 

[Rhavic]

Rhavicc thank you, this is a great thread with good discussion. Your information on freshman offensive and defensive starters by SEC schools was eye opening. I had no ideal there were that many, wow. I do believe that with good coaching, competition and throw in returning players and freshman we can have a good O-line. Now I'm starting to get excited. Thanks to all contributing posters

As I've said, all schools do it at some point. I would also like to add in these little nuggets on twitter, for those that have reservations about Young starting.

 

[Beatle Bum]

Tell me how many true freshman start on the oline at sec schools other than vandy??? I think the answer will tell you how little impact they will have immediatly...or, it will show how far behind we truly are.

Happens at the best schools.

 

[Beatle Bum]

SEC offensive linemen starting as true freshmen:

Martez Ivey: Florida
Blake Camper: South Carolina
Maea Teuhema: LSU
Keaton Sutherland, Texas A&M
Chance Hall, Tennessee
--

SEC offensive linemen who seen big minutes as true freshmen:

Jack Jones, Tennessee
Josh Allen, Arkansas
Toby Weathersby, LSU
Dallas Warmack, Alabama
Zach Bailey, South Carolina


==========

SEC defensive linemen starting as true freshmen:

Terry Beckner Jr., Mizzou (before injury)
Arden Key, LSU
Quandeski Whitlow, South Carolina
--

SEC defensive linemen who seen big minutes as true freshmen:

Khalil McKenzie, Tennessee
CeCe Jefferson, Florida
Byron Cowart, Auburn
Trenton Thompson, Georgia
Daron Payne, Alabama
Josh Moore, Mizzou

==========

So what schools are associated with this list of players again, that as true freshmen, made big impacts to their respective teams in the SEC?

Florida
Tennessee
Georgia
Auburn
Alabama
Mizzou
South Carolina
Arkansas
LSU
Texas A&M

Literally 10 out of the 14 SEC teams use true freshmen in their trenches. 5 different programs start those true freshmen on the offensive line, 3 start them on the defensive line, but 10 programs give these kids significant minutes to battle against the big fellas in the SEC.
Kentucky isn't the only one. If Kentucky was starting multiple true freshmen on the offensive line, I would take more of an issue with this, but starting one true freshman on the offensive of defensive line in the SEC is not the mark of a weak program, it's the mark of a terrific player

Bonus: Clemson, Oklahoma, Florida State, Houston (all New Year's Six bowl teams), start true freshmen on their offensive lines.

Questions?

Hate seeing Whitlow on that list. Shoot!

Thanks for the work here.

 

[Beatle Bum]

As I've said, all schools do it at some point. I would also like to add in these little nuggets on twitter, for those that have reservations about Young starting.

Great stuff!!!! In an interview, Jackson said he expects to play guard next year while Toth finishes his solid career at center. He sounded like he is planning on being in the rotation.

 

[Beatle Bum]

Is Jawon Pass on the same team as our Cats?

 

[rock264]

May not even be relevant, but there was a huge OT from Paducah Tilghman who was supposed to enroll at Cincy this semester. Went to K-State originally and then to Lackawanna. I saw him play a couple of times in HS and he was a little awkward with a lot of upside. UK looked at him before but did not offer. Word is that he has put on weight and his game is now much improved.

 

[Poetax]

But some here still want the staff to go out and find some 2 & 3 star linemen at the end of the recruiting period.

I think we are doing well in that position but you can never have too many good tackles.

 

[Rhavic]

Is Jawon Pass on the same team as our Cats?

I think. Pretty sure he's Shea Patterson's backup.

 

[Soupbean]

Guys don't need to worry about Landon's strength. He is an all state wrestler and was a state champ and national runner up in shot put/Discus in track. Threw 55ft + in the shot and 169ft in the discuss two year ago before he bulked up. Once he gets in the SC program he'll be a monster.

 

[jauk11]

Guys don't need to worry about Landon's strength. He is an all state wrestler and was a state champ and national runner up in shot put/Discus in track. Threw 55ft + in the shot and 169ft in the discuss two year ago before he bulked up. Once he gets in the SC program he'll be a monster.

Very impressive, thanks for enlightening us.

Sounds like he could have been the NC if not for concentrating on football, another good sign.

 

[Deeeefense]

Tell me how many true freshman start on the oline at sec schools other than vandy??? I think the answer will tell you how little impact they will have immediatly...or, it will show how far behind we truly are.

We had George AA starting or playing as a primary backup most of the season. He was physically ready but the mental part takes time to develop as we saw. I think Jackson and Young are in that same mold. They are ready physically but at this stage we probably have better options from more mature players that make less mistakes.

any way you look at it the future looks bright for the O-line.

 

[Soupbean]

Yea Jauk I think that's whats most impressive about him. He was mostly track and wrestling early and didn't concentrate on football and was on his way to big things in track and field. As soon as he put his attention to football he took off there too. Just a dedicated and talented kid that. 4.0 student too.

 

[UKWinsAgainYep]

Gotta love when two of your offensive line commits are the two best offensive linemen at the All-American practices right out of the gate. (at least in the eyes of some).
Can't wait to see them take the field on the 9th!

Landon Young vs Mark Jackson (Texas A&M DE Commit, ranked 204 overall in 247composite)

Looks like Kash Daniel had a big day today as well, while we're mentioning our guys.

They can't get here soon enough. Our pass blocking is abysmal, we were decent at times with run-blocking. O-Line is just terrible and needs to improve very fast if Stoops is going to keep his job. I predict at least one of these Freshman will start this season. That's how badly we need them.

 

[Rhavic]

They can't get here soon enough. Our pass blocking is abysmal, we were decent at times with run-blocking. O-Line is just terrible and needs to improve very fast if Stoops is going to keep his job. I predict at least one of these Freshman will start this season. That's how badly we need them.

Out interior offensive line was good. Was able to run the ball between the tackles against really good teams, teams that did a terrific job of stopping the run up the middle. Our issue came from the tackles, and if you have weak tackles, you're hurting in the SEC considering that for majority of the SEC teams, the DE is the star player on defenses. GAA can move back to his natural guard position, which is yet another upgrade on our o-line, and I figure Young and Leavitt will start at the tackle positions, which is 5 times better than what we had this past season. Pair that with having one of, if not the best center in the country, and I think we'll see a huge boost in overall offensive production next season.

 

[Oldtrainer_rivals]

I'm tired of tooting Landon Young horn,--not really! Once again he's best Wildcat tackle prospect since Warren Bryant and he will play this fall and may start! Maybe at left tackle and yes there have been other true freshman linemen start and played well in the SEC!

 

[Rhavic]

Practice report came out for day 2. Landon Young is listed as the top performer on offense. Kash Daniel is listed as the top performer on defense. Talk about Landon Young getting bumped up to a 5 star recruit.

Drake Jackson also listed as a superlative:

While Landon Young and Tramonda Moore both had great days, Drake Jackson continues to be maybe the most valuable lineman on the East team. He's consistent snapping the football, he has a good grasp of assignments and what the offense should look like and he's a competitor. He looks like a future anchor to the Kentucky offensive line.

http://247sports.com/Article/Army-Bowl-East-practice-Tuesday-top-performers-42577199