Yahtzee!
- Thread starter screwduke
- Start date
Here is an article from Nebraska about Bonner and what he is expecting to play or wants to play. I put this in HOB the other day and after reading it I liked our chances with this kid. their is also a pic of him and his build for those wondering how he is built.
He is ripped and def has the bone structure to add another 20 lbs of muscle fairly easily. But as of right now he is looking like a football player like you see other programs having.
https://nebraska.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1834163
He is ripped and def has the bone structure to add another 20 lbs of muscle fairly easily. But as of right now he is looking like a football player like you see other programs having.
https://nebraska.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1834163
Different positions for this guy and Bell. It was obvious with Bells redshirt that he wasn't the answer at stand up DEnd (Jack).
They've spent this offseason getting Bell in shape and beefing him up to play with his hand down.
One of he articles I read on him says that he'll be here in May. That's huge. He will miss Spring ball, but he won't be extremely lost come Fall.
Well the report is that he's being recruited as a DE to shore up the pass rushing. One can only assume that when coaches say he's going to play DE, that means he's going to play the same position as Courtney Miggins and Alvonte Bell, which is a strong-side DE position. We assume that because the Jack, which is a stand up DE position is still referred to as a LB position to this coaching staff. Also some other insiders have indicating him playing the same DE position as Miggins and Bell as well.
It is kind of odd because the guy is listed at 230lbs and may have weighed in on his official visit at 220lbs, so I wouldn't be surprised to see him at the Jack position. UNLESS we see a scheme change to an even man front, then he's a WDE all day long.
What I like about him is that he is similar in size and speed to Florida's Alex McCallister.
Bonner should add depth to the Jack OLB/DE spot as a pass rush specialist.
Bonner should add depth to the Jack OLB/DE spot as a pass rush specialist.
well i think they are thinking traditional DE but we plan on using him as our jack olb'er per my understanding. i still dont understand how we use all our guys because eli is olb'er and ware is olb'er but i dont think either are going to be playing the jack going forward. i'll admit im a little lost on it though.
This is why I asked the question of UKani, I don't understand how they plan to use him unless it's the Jack. Means nothing I guess but all the film I've seen of him he's a standing DE but never dropped back into pass coverage. Anyway, he's a good looking prospect and I'm glad he's headed to UK.
Going into the Spring, KG will more than likely be behind Hatch at OLB. He's dropped to about 255 now and is focusing on LB.
He better be ready if he's backing up Hatcher. Hatcher's not exactly been reliable.
I have to give he and his staff credit for their success on the recruiting trail too. I'll take it but I don't know how they continue to recruit so well when the results on the field are so embarrassing.
UK has always had a lot to sell outside of the football program, now they have the support and facilities in football to have a lot to sell there also, and being in the SEC and the attraction of being the nearest SEC school to a lot of northern talent and the surge in Kentucky's high school prospects also help a great deal. The whole state of Kentucky had ZERO four star prospects as recently as 2010, and when we did have great prospects we usually lost them to the football powers.
Hatcher played well last half of season. He will be very good next season. He will play in the NFL.
The depth is starting to show up with these recruiting classes. We have some nice D-Lineman and O-Linemen for the future. In addition, Linebacker is finally starting to gain a little depth for the future.
I think Hatcher, Daniel, Elam, Miggins, and Ware are going to be very good next season and a step up from what we're used to at UK. I really like some of Ware's play this season and he is very intense with a high motor. He will be VERY GOOD in time at UK and may play in the NFL. Hatcher will be a beast like he was in a lot of games this season and he will play in the NFL. Elam will continue with his steady progress every season and clog the middle even more effectively. Miggins and Daniel have a lot of talent and they just need snaps. Talent level at UK is higher, but a lot of it is young and they're just starting to get some adequate backups who can provide depth.
I think Hatcher, Daniel, Elam, Miggins, and Ware are going to be very good next season and a step up from what we're used to at UK. I really like some of Ware's play this season and he is very intense with a high motor. He will be VERY GOOD in time at UK and may play in the NFL. Hatcher will be a beast like he was in a lot of games this season and he will play in the NFL. Elam will continue with his steady progress every season and clog the middle even more effectively. Miggins and Daniel have a lot of talent and they just need snaps. Talent level at UK is higher, but a lot of it is young and they're just starting to get some adequate backups who can provide depth.
No team in college or pro football runs a base 5-3 defense - you must be a basketball person. It's not doable unless the other team promises not to pass the football.
I thought Daniel was going to play DE. Same spot Hueginin played. Is he a LB instead?
I read that and thought he meant 5-2. Nobody would run a defense with only 3 DBs. As for the 5-2 the ends are 2 point stance so it's basically the same thing that we run now. The perceived differences come from the fact that our OLBs have ended up in pass coverage instead of pass rushing. Some have grumbled about that on here but that's really dictated by the offense not the defense. If O putting receivers out there you have to line up with what you got and cover them. Doesn't matter what system you run if they line a receiver out there you have to cover them. The 3-4 we run will look more like the 5-2 you are talking about if every team lines up with a TE and FB.
Here is my best guess at this moment:
DE: Miggins/Bell
NT: Elam/Middleton
DT: Meant/I'm banking Kobie Smith ends up here if he sticks with UK is my guess
OLB: Ware/Kenegra Daniels
OLB: Hatcher/Jordan Bonner if he sticks with UK would be my guess
Flip Daniel and Bonner. Daniel's dad said his son will go into spring backing Hatcher. Don't forget Laster as an OLB, he'll definitely play. ILBs will be Jones and Love most likely.
Because a 3-4 is certainly helping our rushing defense right now. It's not the pass defense that I'm worried about. Westry, Baity, and Edwards all proved that they are good against the pass. Right now, Kentucky doesn't have the talent to compete man for man (or in a 3-4, undermanned) against SEC offensive lines, at least for the time being. If not that, then move to something that would suit players like Marcus McWilson, like a 4-2-5 (similar to what TCU runs). We have some good sized, physical safeties that can make plays near the LOS. Could give UK some exotic blitzes to work with, since Elliot is so fascinated with the idea of blitzing all the time.
Can't forget Josh Allen, coaches like his explosiveness off the edge and he just needs to add some size. One thing is for certain, if Bonner sticks, stays healthy and adds some weight and strength to go along with a 4.45 40, the 2 deep at OLB should not be a weakness next season and the pass rush will be effective.
Ironic, I was getting ready to comment on Josh Allen. If all stick and some develop would this be a good time to RS Allen?
I think that is pretty close. Who knows for sure, but I'd guess it to be more like this...
DE Miggins/Bell
NT Elam/Smith
DT Meant/Middleton
OLB Ware/Daniel
OLB Hatcher/Allen/Bonner
LB Love/Jones
LB Laster/Brown
CB Westry/Harmon
S McWilson/West
S Edwards/Walker
CB Baity/Griffin/Gilliam
Nickle McClain/Randolph
*Edited due to the new info in Parabolicsecan's most recent post.
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I think Allen will help...his minutes were increasing by years end, and now he can 100% focus on adding weight for months. He will be good enough to help this coming season.
I stand corrected, going into the Spring, KG will be behind Ware and Allen behind Hatcher. Here's hoping Ware has a breakout year and declares for the draft!!, IJK. Bonner has to pick up a lot of size between now and July to come in as a potential DE bookend in this 3-4 scheme. This leads me to think there will be pretty spirited competition between at least Ware/KG/Bonner for the OLB spot and none of them want to be the 2 in the 2 deep, all of their clocks are running now.
Thanks for this. I do know Allen backed Hatcher this year. Hatcher needs to get himself on the field and get away from stuff that's hurting his development, and by extension hurting UK's development as well. I LOVE the competition, it'll make all those guys better!
I thought that too, and that still may be the case, but he has really good cover skills. Even so, Griffin & Robinson could lock down the corner spots & that would allow him to play safety and possibly nickle.
Its funny how much change has happened especially in the secondary over the past couple years. The funny part being us actually having a good secondary and getting some payback. I cant wait until next season. Were extremely deep in the secondary and had this been 2/3 years ago guys like this would be starting.