Positional Preview: Wide Receivers

Returning Players and 2010 stats

Matt Roark (Sr.) 12 receptions for 170 yards.

Nik Brazley (Sr.) Played in 10 games, mostly special teams.

Aaron Boyd (Jr.) Played in 4 games.

E.J. Fields (Jr.) Played in 11 games, mostly special teams.

Gene McCaskill (Jr.) Redshirted due to injury.

La’Rod King (Jr.) 36 receptions for 478 yards and 5 TD’s.

Brian Adams (So.) 3 receptions for 23 yards.

Newcomers and notes

Daryl Collins (Fr.) Rated top 20 player in Alabama by Rivals. Rated No 62 WR by Scout. Very versatile and can play a number of positions. Honor Role Student in High School.

Demarco Robinson (Fr.) Recorded 73 receptions for 1,655 yards and 27 TD’s. Set the Georgia state record for yards in one season. Named First-Team All-State by the Georgia’s Writers Association and the AJC.

Josh Forrest (Fr.) First-team All-State by the Louisville Courier-Journal. Recorded 46 receptions for 855 yards his senior season. Also, recorded seven interceptions on defense. Will likely redshirt as the staff continues to evaluate which side of the ball he will play on in college.

Nile Daniel (Fr.) Rated No 62 prospect in Georgia by Rivals. Is a speedster who could play wide receiver or cornerback. Has yet to be cleared by the NCAA.

Rashad Cunningham (Fr.) Recorded 39 receptions for 555 yards as a senior. Big, physical wide receiver who can block as well as catch.

Players lost:

Chris Matthews (Graduation) Had 61 receptions for 925 yards and 9 TD’s.

Randall Cobb (NFL) Had 84 receptions for 1,017 yards and 7 TD’s.

Overview

Most people are going to look at UK’s 2011 roster and immediately say the Cats can’t replace the production they lost with Randall Cobb and Chris Matthews. While both players were a huge part of UK’s offense, the 2011 unit can be better. Huh? What? How? That’s right. I’m telling you, the 2011 unit can be better.

The Cats top returning receiver is La’Rod King, who has impressed since he arrived on campus. King is solid and he will be fine. He is ready to become the teams No 1 receiver and he is Morgan Newton’s favorite target. With King lined up on one side, look for Brian Adams to be lined up on the other and Gene McCaskill to be lined up in the slot. In my opinion, Brian Adams is the one receiver UK needs a big season from. He has the potential to be an All-SEC player. Gene McCaskill isn’t quite 100% healthy, but he is getting close. He will line up in the slot and is poised for a breakout season.

Matt Roark could also start and will see action this fall. He showed flashes last season and earned the reputation of being a “gamer” from Joker Phillips. Roark came up with some big plays last season and there is no reason he can’t do it again this season. The key for Roark is consistency. During the spring game, he dropped several balls and quickly became a question mark among the group. E.J. Fields is a local guy many fans are rooting for. During his career at UK, he has suffered a couple of injuries, which has slowed his progress. While Fields will see a lot of action on special teams, he showed his ability to make plays during the spring game too. Fields is another versatile receiver that will provide depth in the rotation. Look for him making plays on special teams too.

Aaron Boyd has become one of the biggest disappointments of UK’s recruiting in the past few seasons. Boyd, who was a 4-star recruit and saw action as a true freshman, has become a lightning rod among UK fans. While he lacks the necessary speed and quickness to be a legit SEC receiver, he does have some of the best hands among the group. I have a feeling this could be Boyd’s last season on the team.

The Cats signed six receivers in February, but only four have enrolled so far. Bubba Tandy signed with a Juco school and Nile Daniel hasn’t been cleared by the NCAA. Josh Forrest started out on offense, but the staff is moving him around and he could be headed to the defensive side of the ball. That leaves Daryl Collins, Rashad Cunningham and Demarco Robinson competing for roles this fall. All three of these guys can flat out play. Collins, who turned down an offer from Alabama, could be the closest player on the roster to Randall Cobb. He will play in the slot position, return kicks and can line up in the Wildcat. He is extremely versatile and fast. He runs a 4.3 forty-yard dash. Rashad Cunningham is a long body and can play on the outside. Cunningham has great hands and can block. One thing receivers must do in UK’s offense is block. Of the three on campus, I believe he could be the most likely to redshirt this season. I would put his playing chances at 50%. Demarco Robinson may be the quickest and fastest guy on the roster. He has the ability to change directions and create separation among defenders. He is a “change of pace” type of receiver. Based on the feedback I have received, he could be dynamite this season.

The 2011 unit of receivers may not have Randall Cobb anymore, but they are solid. Yes they are unproven, but I’ll take talent anytime over experience. La’Rod King and Brian Adams are poised for huge seasons. Morgan Newton will have to spread the ball around, but I believe UK’s depth chart at wide receiver will present opposing defenses with match-up problems.

Check out my site, Bleed Blue Kentucky, or follow me on Twitter for more UK football coverage. You can also to become a fan on Facebook.