Team recruiting

[LeonThe Camel]

The problem I see is how we cannot win with the recruiting we have. We either recruit the ranked stars that cannot make it elsewhere, they are poorly evaluated, or they are poorly prepared. Or some combination.

2011 - Ranked 66 Potential 6th year seniors if we have any
2012 - Ranked 67 Redshirt Seniors
2013 - Ranked 29 Seniors/Redshirt Juniors
2014 - Ranked 18 Juniors/Redshirt Sophs
2015 - Ranked 35 Sophomores/Redshirt Freshmen
2016 - Ranked 29 Freshmen

The average player should be about Ranked 28.

We played a lot of players early not having time for them to redshirt. But these players should have caught up to the talent level projected by now.

 

[StubbornPenny]

Missing on 4 stars happens, but it happens to us a lot more. Why? Because Joker and Stoops, that's why. They are bad coaches and cannot coach players to be better. It really isn't difficult to figure out.

 

[stlacy09]

We have some good players that are young. Talented guys in the secondary. We truly have more talent than teams over the past several years.

However, the problem is the trenches on both sides of the ball. We brought in several good O line recruits this year and the O line will improve throughout the year and heading into next year. Might as well throw Landon Young in there now and let him learn and grow.

The immediate issue (and one in which we have no fix for...) is the D line. Simply very limited talent and depth there. It's a tough position to recruit for. Take a look at the D lines around the league...our guys simply don't look the same physically. Ole Miss's D line last night was attacking a very good O line of FSU. We don't have a single D lineman that can compare to guys on their 2nd string. It's imperative that we bring in several good D line recruits next year. And yes, I know we've been hurt by attrition (Hatcher, Meant, Tubman) but no crying over spilled milk. They're gone. Forget about them. It's unfortunate but it is what it is.

This defense's ceiling is limited until the D line play gets better. And that won't happen this year. Therefore, adjustments must be made to limit the ineffectiveness of the D line. We blitzed and ran stunts in the first half against Southern Miss. Even if that means leaving our (talented, but young) corners on an island, that's what will be necessary this year. Otherwise, QB's will have an eternity to throw. We'll get burned every now and then but our best option is to bring pressure and try to get home.

 

[Blue Decade]

The problem I see is how we cannot win with the recruiting we have. We either recruit the ranked stars that cannot make it elsewhere, they are poorly evaluated, or they are poorly prepared. Or some combination.

2011 - Ranked 66 Potential 6th year seniors if we have any
2012 - Ranked 67 Redshirt Seniors
2013 - Ranked 29 Seniors/Redshirt Juniors
2014 - Ranked 18 Juniors/Redshirt Sophs
2015 - Ranked 35 Sophomores/Redshirt Freshmen
2016 - Ranked 29 Freshmen

The average player should be about Ranked 28.

We played a lot of players early not having time for them to redshirt. But these players should have caught up to the talent level projected by now.

To a certain point, I disagree with your opening conclusion. We won't win 6 in 2016 because we don't have enough experience yet at quarterback or in our defensive front 7. But Stoops will return about 19 incumbent starters in 2017. There is already enough talent on our roster to win 7-8 games in 2017 if player development goes reasonably well between now and then. But getting back to the subject of recruiting, I have some immediate concerns. High school players want to sign with college coaches with a track record of player development. It's going to be a challenge to hang onto Richardson, Koback, Ajian, King. At this point, I don't see how Stoops can make a good case to sign prospects with multiple P5 options. Our 2017 class is going to take a hit. But our 2018 class could still be salvaged, if player development trends in a better direction between now and then.

 

[NCukcat62]

I'm going to lay it out for you pretty simple. Win games and go bowling and you won't have that issue. Kids want to play for a team that wins or gets exposed. Kentucky doesn't offer a winning team and barely offers exposure.

 

[LeonThe Camel]

I'm going to lay it out for you pretty simple. Win games and go bowling and you won't have that issue. Kids want to play for a team that wins or gets exposed. Kentucky doesn't offer a winning team and barely offers exposure.

Well we do one of those very well. JK :stuck_out_tongue_winking_eye:

 

[Mr Schwump]

UK's classic Catch-22 situation....need good players to win, need to win to get good players.

 

[K_TIME]

Here are the holes in the current team from my vantage point...
1. The Defensive front is just about as bad as UK has ever put out there.
- Matt Elam (whether a 2 * or 4* from different ratings) is looking like a total bust the past 1 year, spring game he was awful and 1 game into 2016...he was awful and is now a Jr. He isn't any more effective than was Mister Cobble who was a 2* Joker recruit who played alot and hardly made any effective plays in 3 years of sizable snaps in those years.
- Bell (3* out of HS)...he was probably the 2nd worst player on field Saturday..and played alot.
- Miggins (3* Juco)..he was OK but not really great Saturday and was very quiet in 2015 as a backup and he is now a Sr
- I'm goign to include the Jack OLB and SLB spots since they play on the LOS essentially in a 3-4 scheme. Ware is a 4* Sophmore...he was OK after a rough Fr year. Josh Allen was a 2* and is a So..outside of one QB sack...he was not existent vs. the run. Kobie Walker (3*) was the worst player on the field Saturday.

2. The OL is OK up the middle and poor on the edges
- Toth is a 2* and really solid Center
- Nick Haynes played pretty well to me and is as 3*
- Ramsey Meyers is a 3* and isn't all that great to me...but he's a big body
- Meadows and Mosier are 3* and walkon...Both are really not good tackles....but the best we've got.

Until UK can do way better at recruiting and more importantly "player development" in the trenches...these arguments are foolish. UK is so bad on the DL...it is a complete mess up front. And the OL is improved but still can't protect edge pass rushers very well...and wait until you see what CeCe Jefferson is going to do Saturday.