The 2010 football season will come to an official close on January 8th as the Cats face off against the Pittsburgh Panthers in the BBVA Compass Bowl in Birmingham, Ala.
In a season most would call a disappointment, Joker and the Big Blue Nation look forward to the possibilities of the 2011 season and Coach Phillips has wasted no time in making Coaching changes he apparently feels is necessary. Releasing two assistant coach’s and beginning the process of looking for a Co-Defensive coordinator.
[PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
So, who’s left on Joker’s Big Board when it comes to recruiting? Lets take a look at some of the top prospects Coach Phillips and staff are currently pursuing.
[CENTER]****
[/CENTER]
[URL=”http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/football/recruiting/player-Devin-Lucien-106432″][B]Devin Lucien[/B][/URL] – (Ranked 28th at his position) 6-1, 190, Receiver – Encino, CA.: Devin Lucien [B]will be visiting Kentucky this weekend[/B] and is one of the top prospects left on Kentucky’s board at this point. Kentucky has strong competition for his services, however, in Arizona State, Colorado, Nebraska, Michigan and Michigan State. Lucien has good speed (4.47) and size and is able to stretch the field. He’s also got the frame to add strength to become a great blocker on the outside.
[CENTER]****
[/CENTER]
[URL=”http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/football/recruiting/player-Demarius-Rancifer-109233″][B]Demarius Rancifer[/B][/URL] – (Ranked 38th at his position) 6-3, 215, Linebacker – Pensacola, FL: Kentucky’s need for linebackers is obvious and Demarius Rancifer fits the mold of the player who fits into the SEC. [B]Rancifer is an explosive tackler who makes plays all over the fiel[/B]d, including behind the line of scrimmage. He is currently considering Ole Miss, Louisville and West Virginia.
[CENTER]****
[/CENTER]
[URL=”http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/football/recruiting/player-Julius-Pendergrass-97169″][B]Julius Pendergrass[/B][/URL] – (Ranked 12th at his position) 5-10, 185, Running Back – Chester, SC: [B]Pendergrass previously indicated that he would commit to Kentucky on his official visit to Lexington.[/B] As far as we know, that visit hasn’t occurred, but Pendergrass could immediately provide depth to the offensive backfield. Pendergrass has great field vision and cutback ability. He also has good balance. He doesn’t have great break away speed, but he can make people miss and get into open field.
[CENTER]****
[/CENTER]
[URL=”http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/football/recruiting/player-Steven-Daniels-94802″][B]Steven Daniels[/B][/URL] – (Ranked 15th at his position) 6-1, 220, Linebacker – Cincinnati, OH: Steven Daniels has long been a priority on the Kentucky recruiting board. Daniels is a great tackler with good strength and instincts. Daniels could also excel at middle linebacker or weakside linebacker in college. [B]His versatility makes him an important piece to Kentucky’s recruiting class.[/B] Daniels is considering Kentucky, Boston College and Cincinnati.
[CENTER]****
[/CENTER]
[URL=”http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/football/recruiting/player-Deon-Lee-109235″][B]Deon Lee[/B][/URL] – (Ranked 35th at his position) 6-4, 210, Defensive End – Defuniak Springs, FL: Deon Lee is a long defensive end prospect who [B]specializes at pressuring the quarterback[/B]. With added strength, Lee could be one of the most productive defensive players Kentucky recruits this year. Lee gets into the backfield and disrupts the timing of the passing game and causes havoc for the quarterback. Lee also continues to pursue the ball even when he’s coming from the back side. Lee is visiting Kentucky next weekend and is also being recruited by Louisville, Illinois, Michigan, South Carolina, Texas Tech and several others.
[CENTER]****
[/CENTER]
[URL=”http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/football/recruiting/player-Taylor-Gadbois-119183″][B]Taylor Gadbois[/B][/URL] – (Not ranked nationally) 6-8, 285, Offensive Tackle – Dallas, GA: Gadbois [B]is a sleeper prospect with an extremely high upside[/B]. His ability to drive block and finish his blocks make him an intriguing prospect. He’s also a long, lean left tackle who can become a mammoth man on the outside in pass protection once he learns those techniques. Kentucky is thought to be the favorite to land Gadbois and he will be visiting Kentucky this weekend. He’s also got offers from Michigan State, Georgia Tech and North Carolina State.
[CENTER]****
[/CENTER]
[URL=”http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/football/recruiting/player-Bubba-Tandy-111795″][B]Marcoreyon (Bubba) Tandy[/B][/URL] – (Not ranked nationally) 6-1, 192, Athlete – Hopkinsville, KY: [B]Tandy is the holder of a conditional offer from Kentucky[/B]. One of the Bluegrass’s best athletes, Tandy could be a safety prospect, wide receiver or kick returner. Tandy has the speed (4.4) and strength to score from anywhere on the field whenever he touches the ball and on the other side of the ball, he’s not afraid to make first contact on the ball-carrier. Tandy holds offers from Ohio, Middle Tennessee State, Western Kentucky and Arkansas State.
[CENTER]****
[/CENTER]
[URL=”http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/football/recruiting/player-Darren-Myles,%20Jr.-120799″][B]Darren Myles[/B][/URL] – (Not ranked nationally) 6-2, 201, Safety – Atlanta, GA: [B]Darren Myles is a speedy safety prospect with great size and the ability to cover[/B]. Myles initially signed with Tennessee out of high school, before being dismissed by the new staff for off the field issues. Myles is currently attending Hutchinson Community College in Kansas. Myles was an all-conference selection as a sophomore at Hutchinson and [B]recently got an offer from Kentucky. [/B]
[CENTER]****
[/CENTER]
[URL=”http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/football/recruiting/player-Marcus-Caffey-108656″][B]Marcus Caffey[/B][/URL] – (Ranked 35th at his position) 6-0, 188, Running Back – Atlanta, GA: Marcus Caffey is a solid running back prospect who could also be a defensive back at the next level. Caffey has good balance and vision. [B]He won’t wow you with speed, but he is a hard-nosed runner despite his size.[/B] Caffey may favor Kentucky, but he’s also got offers from Purdue, Illinois, Maryland and Arkansas.
[CENTER]****
[/CENTER]
[URL=”http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/football/recruiting/player-Alonzo-Harris-79162″][B]Alonzo Harris[/B][/URL] – (Not ranked nationally) 6-1, 207, Running Back – Gadsden, AL: Alonzo Harris is a running back who could be a tailback in college or a fullback. [B]He possesses great size, balance and the ability to catch out of the backfield.[/B] With his size, Harris could also wind up as a linebacker on the next level as well. He reportedly wants to commit to Kentucky, but there are questions about whether UK will accept that commitment yet. Harris also has offers from Florida State, Tennessee and Mississippi State.
[CENTER]****
[/CENTER]
[URL=”http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/football/recruiting/player-Terrance-Coleman-109618″][B]Terrance Coleman[/B][/URL] – 6-1 1/2, 250, Defensive End – Wesson, MS: Terrance Coleman is an explosive, but smallish, defensive end prospect. [B]He has great burst off the snap and the ability to beat most tackles with his pure speed.[/B] There are questions about Coleman’s eligibility coming out of the JUCO ranks, but both Kentucky and Tennessee are heavily involved.
[CENTER]****
[/CENTER]
[URL=”http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/football/recruiting/player-Antonio-Poole-106426″][B]Antonio Poole[/B][/URL] – (Ranked 23rd at his position) 6-1, 225, Linebacker – Cincinnati, OH: Antonio Poole is the second of a duo of linebackers out of Cincy that Kentucky is heavily recruiting. Poole is also the cousin of Steven Daniels. [B]Poole is a strong bodied prospect who makes tackles with authority[/B]. Poole also takes on blockers aggressively to get to the ball carrier. He’ll need to improve his pass coverage skills, but he has the athleticism to pull it off. Poole has offers from Kentucky, Nebraska, Michigan State, Purdue, Louisville and Cincinnati.
[CENTER]****
[/CENTER]
[URL=”http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/football/recruiting/player-Troy-Gray-113946″][B]Troy Gray[/B][/URL] – (Ranked 51st at his position) 6-1, 215, Linebacker – Kennesaw, GA: Gray is another explosive linebacker on Kentucky’s board. [B]Gray is able to run down plays with his speed and he does a good job getting his hands into the passing lanes[/B]. His overall athleticism is impressive, especially his 42 inch vertical and his 4.6 forty time. Gray needs to improve his strength and with his that improvement, he will also become a better tackler. Gray is thought to be a Kentucky lean, but Virginia is also high on his list.
[CENTER]****
[/CENTER]
[URL=”http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/football/recruiting/player-Lamar-Dawson-104779″][B]Lamar Dawson[/B][/URL] – (Ranked 3rd at his position and 54th nationally) 6-2, 235, Linebacker – Danville, KY: Lamar Dawson is perhaps Kentucky’s [B]most coveted prospect[/B]. Dawson has great closing speed and the mental capacity to use his speed to make plays anywhere on the field. [B]He also has the size required to play at an early stage in his caree[/B]r. Dawson does need to improve his coverage skills, but he has the work ethic to get better. He plans to visit Tennessee, Michigan, USC and maybe Florida. Kentucky and Louisville are also in the mix. Oregon has already received an official visit.
[CENTER]****
[/CENTER]
I see several names that would be a major plus for the Cats in the upcoming year, but of all the prospects, I truly believe Kentucky needs Dawson the most. His defensive prowess and aggressiveness is something UK needs to fill the gap that could be left in the Linebacker corp if Trevathan turns pro.
Even if Danny sticks around, Dawson would be a tremendous addition and could give UK one of the best linebacking groups in the SEC.
Dawson in action as he dominates the field:
[youtube_sc width=430 url=ff09A_pOeqk]
Go Cats!!!
Follow Chip on Twitter at [URL]http://twitter.com/ukbigbluenation[/URL] or follow Nation of Blue at [URL]http://twitter.com/uknationofblue[/URL].
