The Trouble at Tackle

[JPFisher]

Next season, Kentucky will have Leavitt, Young, and Meadows.

Where does UK go to for more tackles and what can we expect in 2017? Recruiting-wise. Any solid prospects, good names, rumors, etc?

JUCO, transfer, high school, or just shuffle scholarship guys around and hope for the best? Where do we finally find more personnel to patch up the line?

 

[tdcat]

Wills from Lafayette High School in Lexington + one to be named later.

 

[hmt5000]

if we get wills and 2 more project OT types i think we will be fine. calvin taylor is intriguing and if he develops i think we stick with just the 3 hs kids in the next class. also, still don't know whats up with levon livingston but he's still listed as a cat but no one has seen or heard from him, so that would help too. if we dont have taylor or livingston as a possible starter in 2 years then i think they go after another juco next year and try to sell wills backing up both tackle spots for a year and then competing for a starting spot. but then it gets really hard to bring in a juco if you got young and wills as a soph and jr for the jucos sr year. maybe look for a guy with 3 to play 3.

 

[TeoJ]

Has everyone completely written off Wolfe and Stenberg? I'm gonna give both a chance on the field first.

 

[K_TIME]

Behind those three are guys like Calvin Taylor, Levon Livingston, Logan Stenberg, Mason Wolfe and Larubbio...Some will move to tackles vs. guard to get depth to the tackle spots.

I'd imagine Taylor, Livingston for sure move to OT for depth/prospects for years to come.

 

[trumpetcat]

I'd say we try for 3 OT and a OG.
OT: Wills, Munford, and Bateman
OG: Marcellus

 

[3kidsandme]

I think Wolfe and Stenberg both project to tackles. Stenberg is long and extremely strong fits as a mauling right tackle. Wolfe showed in camps he was extremely athletic but needed to work on his body. I could see him as a left tackle with his length athleticism and restructured body.

 

[jauk11]

Who did we have as backups in 07 when our STARTERS averaged less than a 5.2 on Rivals Richter scale?

 

[TeoJ]

Behind those three are guys like Calvin Taylor, Levon Livingston, Logan Stenberg, Mason Wolfe and Larubbio...Some will move to tackles vs. guard to get depth to the tackle spots.

I'd imagine Taylor, Livingston for sure move to OT for depth/prospects for years to come.

Livingston is not even in school and hasn't been all year.

 

[Anjiejo]

Who did we have as backups in 07 when our STARTERS averaged less than a 5.2 on Rivals Richter scale?

Heggins was the best oline coach i remember at uk.. That's in developing lineman. He wasn't much of a recruiter but his line played with very good technique and were very physical..

 

[cribblock]

alex simpson plays for lafayette generals 6'5" 290 lbs

 

[jauk11]

Heggins was the best oline coach i remember at uk.. That's in developing lineman. He wasn't much of a recruiter but his line played with very good technique and were very physical..

Agree, on both fronts.

But I think you could say the same about almost all of Brooks coaches, I think Joker did most of the recruiting for the whole crew------probably the reason he fired a bunch of very good coaches while trying to improve recruiting-----and ended up flunking out on both fronts with the support that mitch was giving at the time.

Really, did you read Matt's article where he said Tee lied to his target's and didn't show them some of our facilities (think "recruiting room") but told them they were very good? I wouldn't be surprised if he didn't take my advice and take them to MacDonald's kiddieland for their orientation, seems liike he is doing very well at the USC------although I am sure all the SEC coaches had a picture of our abomination to show recruits, the few SEC caliber ones Joker even tried to recruit.

 

[jauk11]

Has everyone completely written off Wolfe and Stenberg? I'm gonna give both a chance on the field first.

I am pretty exciterd about Stenberg's potential, and Wolfe is almost as big as his dad-----LOL.

 

[jauk11]

alex simpson plays for lafayette generals 6'5" 290 lbs

Any relation to the other highly regarded Simpson that had his career cut short by injuries?

 

[JPFisher]

Has everyone completely written off Wolfe and Stenberg? I'm gonna give both a chance on the field first.

Given that I haven't seen them brought up in the discussion for the OT positions, I figured they projected to be inside guys like most of our OLine recruits.

Didn't write them off. Point of the thread was so people like you could inform people like me. Plus discuss recruiting. [winking] I'll look these folks up.

 

[UKSanders_rivals37733]

Given that I haven't seen them brought up in the discussion for the OT positions, I figured they projected to be inside guys like most of our OLine recruits.

Didn't write them off. Point of the thread was so people like you could inform people like me. Plus discuss recruiting. [winking] I'll look these folks up.

Per the roster on UK Athletics, all of the young guys that RS'd are listed as OL, which means the coaches had not settled on OG vs OT for them either. The only OTs listed on the entire roster were Swindle and Meadows. So the roster leaves these candidates:

Jarrett LaRubbio 6'6 297
Logan Stenberg 6'6 330
Calvin Taylor 6'9 295 (would LOVE to see this kid grow into LT position)
Mason Wolfe 6'6 325


I admit I have zero ability to watch a player and grade/project him to OG vs OT. However, from reading a few sites, many posters seem to think the 4 above project as follows:

LaRubbio - possible OT but likely OG
Stenberg - likely RT unless he doesn't possess required athleticism, then OG
Taylor - OT but raw so unlikely to help in 2016
Wolfe - OG


So, I think many are hoping beyond hope Landon Young can come in as a stud LT b/c Leavitt, Stenberg seem to be more RT body types. I would imagine next year's line could easily look like this:

LT - Young, Meadows, C. Taylor
LG - R. Meyers, Haynes, Cole Mosier
C - Toth, Myers, Stallings
RG - George AA, Cole Mosier, Drake Jackson
RT - Leavitt, Stenberg, LaRubbio

Who knows, that may still be lacking some athleticism, but (IF Leavitt proves to be what everyone is hoping), overall I think the line looks strong everywhere except LT.

 

[dustarm20]

LaRubbio played LG in the Charlotte game for the last 4-5 possessions. He did fine.

 

[jauk11]

Behind those three are guys like Calvin Taylor, Levon Livingston, Logan Stenberg, Mason Wolfe and Larubbio...Some will move to tackles vs. guard to get depth to the tackle spots.

I'd imagine Taylor, Livingston for sure move to OT for depth/prospects for years to come.

Livingston and Taylor were recruited as projects for the OL, I think, Livingston at 6' 7' but only 250# for an OL IF he could gain the weight, but thought to be athletic enough to be a DL if not, sounds like it didn't work out. Taylor at 6' 9" and 265# if he could gain enough weight, if he is 295# now sounds like he is on schedule-----UNLESS he has grown three or four inches also, in which case Cal might want him.

 

[Rockford]

Livingston is not even in school and hasn't been all year.

Come on now.......don't let the small details get in the way of a great analysis!

 

[TeoJ]

Given that I haven't seen them brought up in the discussion for the OT positions, I figured they projected to be inside guys like most of our OLine recruits.

Didn't write them off. Point of the thread was so people like you could inform people like me. Plus discuss recruiting. [winking] I'll look these folks up.

Can't really inform have not seen for myself,but have heard that Stenberg has looked good.

 

[Blue Decade]

So, I think many are hoping beyond hope Landon Young can come in as a stud LT b/c Leavitt, Stenberg seem to be more RT body types. I would imagine next year's line could easily look like this:

LT - Young, Meadows, C. Taylor
LG - R. Meyers, Haynes, Cole Mosier
C - Toth, Myers, Stallings
RG - George AA, Cole Mosier, Drake Jackson
RT - Leavitt, Stenberg, LaRubbio

Who knows, that may still be lacking some athleticism, but (IF Leavitt proves to be what everyone is hoping), overall I think the line looks strong everywhere except LT.

Eddie Gran's offense is different from Shannon Dawson's, and I think the change will benefit our offensive line. Running plays will be a more physical design, and run blocking responsibilities of offensive linemen will be different. Tate Leavitt was recruited to be our starting left tackle. Leavitt fits even better in Gran's offense, and is being heavily counted on. The best thing that can happen to this team is for Leavitt to handle the left tackle job well all year. If Leavitt plays well, this is a better offensive line than last year because all the other starters are incumbents with another year of conditioning and experience. Taylor was signed as a project, but his development is ahead of schedule. LaRubbio does not have the body of a right tackle or a guard in Gran's offense. This is a make or break year for LaRubbio. Kyle Meadows will never be a left tackle, but made enough progress as the right tackle to start there again. Meadows will get competition from Logan Stenberg, who might have been a guard in Dawson's offense but fits better at right tackle in Gran's. GAA should have been redshirted in 2015, and was used out of position. He is basically starting over in 2016, and will not beat out either of the incumbent guards initially. Everyone is caught up in the 5th star argument for Landon Young now, but Young will be much better off with a redshirt in the long run. If Leavitt can't get the job done on the left side, then Young might have to play. But that would not be a good development for either player, or for the team. Drake Jackson is Kentucky's future center, but redshirts in 2016 while Toth starts. Would caution everyone not to get too caught up in all star game hype. Kentucky fans always overinflate expectations for incoming freshmen. Young and Jackson will be all SEC players in a few years, but all freshman offensive linemen are far better off with redshirts. Of all the new players in the incoming class, McKinniss, Leavitt, Ross, Bonner, and Daniel have the best chances for early impact. Leavitt, Ross, Bonner are jucos.

L tackle - Leavitt, LaRubbio, Taylor
L guard - Haynes, Mosier
C - Toth, Myers, Stallings
R guard - Meyers, GAA, Wolfe
R tackle - Meadows, Stenberg

 

[Comebakatz3]

Eddie Gran's offense is different from Shannon Dawson's, and I think the change will benefit our offensive line. Running plays will be a more physical design, and run blocking responsibilities of offensive linemen will be different. Tate Leavitt was recruited to be our starting left tackle. Leavitt fits even better in Gran's offense, and is being heavily counted on. The best thing that can happen to this team is for Leavitt to handle the left tackle job well all year. If Leavitt plays well, this is a better offensive line than last year because all the other starters are incumbents with another year of conditioning and experience. Taylor was signed as a project, but his development is ahead of schedule. LaRubbio does not have the body of a right tackle or a guard in Gran's offense. This is a make or break year for LaRubbio. Kyle Meadows will never be a left tackle, but made enough progress as the right tackle to start there again. Meadows will get competition from Logan Stenberg, who might have been a guard in Dawson's offense but fits better at right tackle in Gran's. GAA should have been redshirted in 2015, and was used out of position. He is basically starting over in 2016, and will not beat out either of the incumbent guards initially. Everyone is caught up in the 5th star argument for Landon Young now, but Young will be much better off with a redshirt in the long run. If Leavitt can't get the job done on the left side, then Young might have to play. But that would not be a good development for either player, or for the team. Drake Jackson is Kentucky's future center, but redshirts in 2016 while Toth starts. Would caution everyone not to get too caught up in all star game hype. Kentucky fans always overinflate expectations for incoming freshmen. Young and Jackson will be all SEC players in a few years, but all freshman offensive linemen are far better off with redshirts. Of all the new players in the incoming class, McKinniss, Leavitt, Ross, Bonner, and Daniel have the best chances for early impact. Leavitt, Ross, Bonner are jucos.

L tackle - Leavitt, LaRubbio, Taylor
L guard - Haynes, Mosier
C - Toth, Myers, Stallings
R guard - Meyers, GAA, Wolfe
R tackle - Meadows, Stenberg

Can't like this breakdown enough. Excellent job.

One interesting thing in this offense will be whether they continue to rotate the offensive linemen. Last year they would rotate every series or every couple of series. The only two that didn't rotate were Swindle and Toth. Will we continue that or will we have our starters out there 80-90 percent of the time?

 

[Blue Decade]

Can't like this breakdown enough. Excellent job.

One interesting thing in this offense will be whether they continue to rotate the offensive linemen. Last year they would rotate every series or every couple of series. The only two that didn't rotate were Swindle and Toth. Will we continue that or will we have our starters out there 80-90 percent of the time?

Most people who played football believe that chemistry and effective play of an offensive line works best when 5 guys play together snap after snap and get familiar with playing together. Our offensive line was awful in 2015. We have a new offensive coordinator. I doubt the practices of 2015 will be continued by the new coordinator.

 

[cribblock]

Any relation to the other highly regarded Simpson that had his career cut short by injuries?

No.

 

[TJS4UK]

My best guess is that the depth chart will look something like this...

L Tackle - Young, Leavitt, Mosier, Taylor
L Guard - GAA, Haynes, LaRubbio, Wolfe
Center - Toth, Myers, Stallings
R Guard - Meyers, Mosier, Stallings, Wolfe
R Tackle - Leavitt, Meadows, Mosier, Stenberg

RS - Jackson & Fortner

 

[JPFisher]

My best guess is that the depth chart will look something like this...

L Tackle - Young, Leavitt, Mosier, Taylor
L Guard - GAA, Haynes, LaRubbio, Wolfe
Center - Toth, Myers, Stallings
R Guard - Meyers, Mosier, Stallings, Wolfe
R Tackle - Leavitt, Meadows, Mosier, Stenberg

RS - Jackson & Fortner

That's putting a lot of faith in Young. Even as talented as he is, he'd be a true freshman going against seasoned SEC rush ends.

I don't mind it, I just think that's a lot for him to handle. Hopefully he exceeds my expectations and/or we can use Leavitt to help us ease him into that LT role.

 

[Blue Decade]

That's putting a lot of faith in Young. Even as talented as he is, he'd be a true freshman going against seasoned SEC rush ends.

I don't mind it, I just think that's a lot for him to handle. Hopefully he exceeds my expectations and/or we can use Leavitt to help us ease him into that LT role.

A big part of our fan base always inflates expectations for every highly rated recruit who comes to Kentucky because they are impatient and want immediate fixes. They did it with Micah Johnson, Aaron Boyd, Morgan Newton, Darrian Miller, Matt Elam, all of whose careers were hurt because they missed their redshirts. They are already doing it with Young. It cannot be more clear that quarterbacks and linemen need redshirts. Of course, there are rare exceptions, but this isn't the time to take that long shot with our best young players. On several threads, I have challenged anyone to name 1 former Kentucky offensive lineman who developed as well as expected without a redshirt. Some people actually suggested Aaron Miller and Kip Sixberry, both of whom flunked out of school before the end of their freshman years and never played in another college game! That was apparently their idea of exceeding expectations. Stoops is not on the hot seat, but anyone can see he is feeling a lot of pressure. There will be tremendous pressure on Stoops to play Young and Jackson in 2016, and most fans on this board will demand it due to impatience. Young himself will push to play because the kid is a leader who doesn't want to sit. But it would be a huge mistake. Our 2016 starting offensive line ought to be, from left to right, Leavitt, Asafo-Adjei, Toth, Meyers, Meadows. We will have more good depth than before with Mosier, Haynes, LaRubbio, Stallings, Taylor, Stenberg, Wolfe. If redshirted, Young and Jackson will both be much better players in the long run. And that is exactly what Stoops needs to reach his goal of true SEC competitiveness. With his contract extension, Stoops is being paid to make great decisions for the future of our program, not to cave to impatience. So this is a test of his maturation as a head coach. As I look at the returning roster, the only true freshmen I want to see on the field this year are Kash Daniel, Jordan Griffin, Grant McKinniss, and maybe Benny Snell. If Kobie Walker isn't physically sound, maybe Roland Walder too. But that's it. Every other true freshman should get their redshirt, for their own good as well as the good of our program.

 

[The Brooks]

Leavitt will start LT.

Young will not RS... He's probably already the best or 2nd best tackle on the team.

Meadows can be a swing tackle and backup Both spots.

Mosier can also play tackle in spot situations.

Meyers most likely starts RG with GAA Richardson or Haynes starting at the other.

Disagree that GAA will start behind the others, he struggled at T last year but he's a great G prospect

 

[Mr Schwump]

A big part of our fan base always inflates expectations for every highly rated recruit who comes to Kentucky because they are impatient and want immediate fixes. They did it with Micah Johnson, Aaron Boyd, Morgan Newton, Darrian Miller, Matt Elam, all of whose careers were hurt because they missed their redshirts. They are already doing it with Young. It cannot be more clear that quarterbacks and linemen need redshirts. Of course, there are rare exceptions, but this isn't the time to take that long shot with our best young players. On several threads, I have challenged anyone to name 1 former Kentucky offensive lineman who developed as well as expected without a redshirt. Some people actually suggested Aaron Miller and Kip Sixberry, both of whom flunked out of school before the end of their freshman years and never played in another college game! That was apparently their idea of exceeding expectations. Stoops is not on the hot seat, but anyone can see he is feeling a lot of pressure. There will be tremendous pressure on Stoops to play Young and Jackson in 2016, and most fans on this board will demand it due to impatience. Young himself will push to play because the kid is a leader who doesn't want to sit. But it would be a huge mistake. Our 2016 starting offensive line ought to be, from left to right, Leavitt, Asafo-Adjei, Toth, Meyers, Meadows. We will have more good depth than before with Mosier, Haynes, LaRubbio, Stallings, Taylor, Stenberg, Wolfe. If redshirted, Young and Jackson will both be much better players in the long run. And that is exactly what Stoops needs to reach his goal of true SEC competitiveness. With his contract extension, Stoops is being paid to make great decisions for the future of our program, not to cave to impatience. So this is a test of his maturation as a head coach. As I look at the returning roster, the only true freshmen I want to see on the field this year are Kash Daniel, Jordan Griffin, Grant McKinniss, and maybe Benny Snell. If Kobie Walker isn't physically sound, maybe Roland Walder too. But that's it. Every other true freshman should get their redshirt, for their own good as well as the good of our program.

Unfortunately the basketball mentality of many UK fans permeates their thinking when it comes to freshmen footballers playing or RSing. Must not be very good if he can't play as a frosh.

 

[Anjiejo]

A big part of our fan base always inflates expectations for every highly rated recruit who comes to Kentucky because they are impatient and want immediate fixes. They did it with Micah Johnson, Aaron Boyd, Morgan Newton, Darrian Miller, Matt Elam, all of whose careers were hurt because they missed their redshirts. They are already doing it with Young. It cannot be more clear that quarterbacks and linemen need redshirts. Of course, there are rare exceptions, but this isn't the time to take that long shot with our best young players. On several threads, I have challenged anyone to name 1 former Kentucky offensive lineman who developed as well as expected without a redshirt. Some people actually suggested Aaron Miller and Kip Sixberry, both of whom flunked out of school before the end of their freshman years and never played in another college game! That was apparently their idea of exceeding expectations. Stoops is not on the hot seat, but anyone can see he is feeling a lot of pressure. There will be tremendous pressure on Stoops to play Young and Jackson in 2016, and most fans on this board will demand it due to impatience. Young himself will push to play because the kid is a leader who doesn't want to sit. But it would be a huge mistake. Our 2016 starting offensive line ought to be, from left to right, Leavitt, Asafo-Adjei, Toth, Meyers, Meadows. We will have more good depth than before with Mosier, Haynes, LaRubbio, Stallings, Taylor, Stenberg, Wolfe. If redshirted, Young and Jackson will both be much better players in the long run. And that is exactly what Stoops needs to reach his goal of true SEC competitiveness. With his contract extension, Stoops is being paid to make great decisions for the future of our program, not to cave to impatience. So this is a test of his maturation as a head coach. As I look at the returning roster, the only true freshmen I want to see on the field this year are Kash Daniel, Jordan Griffin, Grant McKinniss, and maybe Benny Snell. If Kobie Walker isn't physically sound, maybe Roland Walder too. But that's it. Every other true freshman should get their redshirt, for their own good as well as the good of our program.

I would normally agree with you. But IMO we have not had a talent like young in a long long time!!
TN started 2 freshman on there oline last year. There are not many players who can come in and play
right away in the sec,but i think young will do fine in backing up the LT spot.

LT: Levitt-Young-Taylor
LG: AA-Haynes-Larubbio/Stallings
C:Toth-Myers-Stallings
RG:Meyers-Mosier-Larubbio/Stallings
RT: Meadow's-Stenderg-Wolfe

 

[TJS4UK]

A big part of our fan base always inflates expectations for every highly rated recruit who comes to Kentucky because they are impatient and want immediate fixes. They did it with Micah Johnson, Aaron Boyd, Morgan Newton, Darrian Miller, Matt Elam...

Actually, it's the UK coaches (Brooks, Joker & Stoops) who chose to play those listed players, not the fans. And you can add a lot more names to that group including Chris Westry, Boom Williams, etc. With that said, Landon Young is the highest rated out of that whole group & the most college ready, IMHO. We will see whether he plays or not. I'm just guessing what I think that the UK coaches will do & I am guessing that they will play Landon Young next fall. Time will tell & I will be very glad if Meadows or Mosier (or maybe Stenberg) can beat out Young...

 

[TJS4UK]

That's putting a lot of faith in Young. Even as talented as he is, he'd be a true freshman going against seasoned SEC rush ends.

I don't mind it, I just think that's a lot for him to handle. Hopefully he exceeds my expectations and/or we can use Leavitt to help us ease him into that LT role.

You may be right. Other quality SEC & P5 teams have successfully started true FR on the OL & Young is rated higher & is more physically impressive than some of them were. But, if Young is not ready, Leavitt will likely start @ LT, no doubt. And if either Meadows or Mosier can beat Young out, that is an even better scenario for UK. However, after watching Young play, I just think that he has the frame, skill & athletic ability to be a natural at LT right away. But, only time will tell...

 

[trumpetcat]

As of right now Wolfe and Sternberg are being seriously considered as OT. Sternberg more at RT and Wolfe at LT. (got from HOB from JR)

 

[Deeeefense]

Eddie Gran's offense is different from Shannon Dawson's, and I think the change will benefit our offensive line. Running plays will be a more physical design, and run blocking responsibilities of offensive linemen will be different. Tate Leavitt was recruited to be our starting left tackle. Leavitt fits even better in Gran's offense, and is being heavily counted on. The best thing that can happen to this team is for Leavitt to handle the left tackle job well all year. If Leavitt plays well, this is a better offensive line than last year because all the other starters are incumbents with another year of conditioning and experience. Taylor was signed as a project, but his development is ahead of schedule. LaRubbio does not have the body of a right tackle or a guard in Gran's offense. This is a make or break year for LaRubbio. Kyle Meadows will never be a left tackle, but made enough progress as the right tackle to start there again. Meadows will get competition from Logan Stenberg, who might have been a guard in Dawson's offense but fits better at right tackle in Gran's. GAA should have been redshirted in 2015, and was used out of position. He is basically starting over in 2016, and will not beat out either of the incumbent guards initially. Everyone is caught up in the 5th star argument for Landon Young now, but Young will be much better off with a redshirt in the long run. If Leavitt can't get the job done on the left side, then Young might have to play. But that would not be a good development for either player, or for the team. Drake Jackson is Kentucky's future center, but redshirts in 2016 while Toth starts. Would caution everyone not to get too caught up in all star game hype. Kentucky fans always overinflate expectations for incoming freshmen. Young and Jackson will be all SEC players in a few years, but all freshman offensive linemen are far better off with redshirts. Of all the new players in the incoming class, McKinniss, Leavitt, Ross, Bonner, and Daniel have the best chances for early impact. Leavitt, Ross, Bonner are jucos.

L tackle - Leavitt, LaRubbio, Taylor
L guard - Haynes, Mosier
C - Toth, Myers, Stallings
R guard - Meyers, GAA, Wolfe
R tackle - Meadows, Stenberg

Good post, I think what your saying about freshmen O-linemen is true 98% of the time but I think Young might well be in that 2% exceptional range. My prediction is Young winds up in the 2 deep behind Meadows at R tackle and then they will play it by ear from there. If we don't get injuries there and Meadows gets the job done they redshirt Young otherwise he plays

 

[hmt5000]

i agree with a couple post above. leavitt and young will hold down the LT and RT spot with meadows backing up the RT spot and the RT going to LT if needed. i do think stenberg and wolfe can fill in in a pinch and probably be as good as meadows last year. we are still dangerously thin at OT but we are so much more athletic at that spot this year it isn't funny. interior was decent last year and should be better. if we stay healthy at OT and one of wolfe/stenberg are good enough to be quality depth at OT then the OL will be easily the most improved group from last year.

my worry is that juco's almost always struggle the first year and young is a true freshmen. the sec isn't the type of conference to build confidence in OT's on a week to week basis. young not being here for spring is a little bit of bummer.... but the athleticism is there regardless so if he can pick up the offense in the summer and fall we should be good.

 

[trumpetcat]

My expectation is that our OL will be one of, if not the most improved position. Schlarman now has his bodies and talent. He's got some graders and some elite SEC OT talent in Leavitt and Young. Of course being a young group might have some growing pains, but I expect atleast some consistency which was very lacking this year. Sternberg is a monster IMO. Wolfe is vastly UTR and should get some backup snaps. In the case of Meadows he needs to live up to the hype from getting major offers his senior year in HS. As for Toth the only thing he could maybe work on is being a vocal leader to motivate the rest of the line. As Toth is both a senior and a center he has the obligation of being a leader not just with his actions but also his voice especially during practice.

 

[BlueRaider22]

I too worry about future depth at OT. We certainly need yo recruit at least 2 guys next yr. And I would be cautious about Wills. The staff will certainly give him the courtesy shot at OT first but many analysts say that he's more likely heading inside. Wills has said that he would prefer OT but isn't opposed to moving inside.

I agree with Decade to be cautious of any lineman (defense or offense) about playing early. Shoot people were talking about Elam being a stud......those same people are almost already calling him a bust? Jackson is in a good position to RS. Young is in a different situation though. The position is just thin enough and he is just good enough to be either 1 or 2 at RT this yr. But you would always prefer to be in a position to RS linemen.

 

[Blue Decade]

Young will not RS... He's probably already the best or 2nd best tackle on the team.

How do you know this?

 

[Blue Decade]

Actually, it's the UK coaches (Brooks, Joker & Stoops) who chose to play those listed players, not the fans. And you can add a lot more names to that group including Chris Westry, Boom Williams, etc.

First place, I already said the decision with Young is a test of Mark Stoops' maturation as a head coach. Of course it is Stoops' decision. LOL! Why would you suggest anyone thinks otherwise? But we will see a lot of fans here demanding that Young must play as a true freshman. Second place, I never said all true freshmen should redshirt. In fact, I said Kash Daniel, Jordan Griffin, Grant McKinniss, Benny Snell should play this year. But I did say that all true freshman lineman and quarterbacks should redshirt. History strongly backs me up on that. Successful people learn from history. And even though there have been some rare exceptions among SEC offensive linemen who get away without redshirts, Mark Stoops is definitely not in a position to take that risk with Landon Young. Stoops has a contract extension, and the backing of the school. And no matter how many threads get started here about how many games Stoops must win in 2016, the truth of the matter is that the quickest way for Stoops to blow his coaching career would be to screw up Landon Young. Fans can afford to be impatient, because they don't pay a price for it. But Stoops' career is on the line. Stoops' story won't be written solely on the basis of the 2016 season like some here think.

 

[K_TIME]

Barring injury...I don't see Young RSing. When a newcomer is close enough on the OL/DL...this staff has tipped in the favor of playing them. I think Young plays if not beats out Meadows.