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As we continue the countdown to August and the kickoff ofthe 2012 college football season, a lot of reports have come out on who has what,and who has the best as far as position corps.
As we broke down the defensiveline last week (link), we’ll continue to stay on the defensive side of the ball and break down the linebackers in this week’s edition. [/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT]
[B][FONT=Calibri][SIZE=3][COLOR=#000000]Who’s there? [/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT][/B]
[B][FONT=Calibri][SIZE=3][COLOR=#000000]Malcolm McDuffen,6-3, 217, So(rs) [/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT][/B]
[FONT=Calibri][SIZE=3][COLOR=#000000]After being in the fold last season, playing his role as a backup to three senior starters, McDuffen will now have his chance to step and make the plays needed to help out the young linebacker’s corp. Playing the backup role to eventual sixth-round draft pick and All-SEC star Danny Trevathan may help out McDuffen in the long run. Learning from one of the top players at hisposition for two years has left the rising sophomore his chance to make a name for himself.
But what will he have to do?
With so many different spots needing to be filled, McDuffen will a lot to live up to.
Is that really fair?
Comparing him to Trevathan would definitely not be fair, but if McDuffen stays solid throughout the course of the year, I think he can do well in the defensive system under Rick Minter. [/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT]
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Alvin Dupree, 6-4,247, So [/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT][/B]
[FONT=Calibri][SIZE=3][COLOR=#000000]Emerging on the scene last season as a true freshman, Dupree is back this year with a lot more expectations out of him. Losing starter Ridge Wilson due to a long route of trouble was a definite loss for the Wildcats, but was it really that big of a loss?
Listed at 6-4, Dupree brings a lot to the table physically which is a must to play in the SEC.
Playing in all of the Wildcats’ twelve games last season, the rising sophomore is going to have to improve on his 21 total tackles as a true freshman in order to help out the unknown and unproven Wildcat defense.
Dupree did, however, was able to prove himself as a pass rusher to some extinct as he took down the quarterback two-and-a-half times for a total of 14 yards loss.
If Dupree is able to continue to impress, have a lot of productivity, and develop leadership, he could be the guy for the middle of the UK defense.[/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT]
[B][FONT=Calibri][SIZE=3][COLOR=#000000]Avery Williamson,6-1, 245, Jr [/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT][/B]
[FONT=Calibri][SIZE=3][COLOR=#000000]The rising junior is coming off a very impressive Blue and White game recording 8 tackles. However, the upcoming season will be no team scrimmage as Williamson is trying to fill the void that was left after the graduation of middle linebacker Ronnie Sneed.
Williamson, who had right at 49 tackles a year ago, was able to play consistently throughout the year. Despite being a backup, the rising junior showed that he can be productive this season, especially this spring.
Williamson will need to show maturity in order to take control of the middle in Minter’s defense, and make sure he keeps playing at the high level that he was playing during spring ball. [/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT]
[B][SIZE=3]Reserves[/SIZE][/B]
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The backups seem to be a question mark to me for the simple fact that all of the starters now are in the same position they were in the last two or three seasons.
Yet, Kentucky believes that a true freshman or two like Khalid Henderson, who was a late commit in late January, will be able to grow into a player such as current Denver Bronco Danny Trevathan.
Junior college transfer and early enrollee Kory Brown has the body type to be that hybrid type guy to play either linebacker or safety, but many believe he will be a safety this fall.
Another newcomer that has a lot of upside with him is Kadeem Thomas, who many think can be a big time player down the road. [/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT]
