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As we head deeper into the summer heat, the football talks are becoming more and more common on who has what, and who will finish where.We continue the talks of preseason football in this week’s edition of position breakdowns with the cornerback group. [/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Calibri][SIZE=3][COLOR=#000000]Inexperience is the big word here as the cornerback group has very little experience as far as getting on the field. [B]Cartier Rice [/B]is listed as one of the starters on the depth chart, however, he only has 18 total tackles over two years, as well as three pass deflections.
On the other side of the field is rising redshirt freshman [B]Marcus Caffey, [/B]who made the switch from running back to the defensive side of the ball this spring. Behind that, there’s not a lot of production at all. So defending the pass, and locking down the high profile receivers that there are in the SEC will be a definite challenge for the Wildcats this season. [/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Calibri][SIZE=3][COLOR=#000000]On the flip side, I think this season will be a time where you can get your young guys a lot of valuable experience.
But nobody wants to say that, right?
Rick Minter and the rest of the defensive staff will have a headache on how they are going to try to find ways to defend the pass on paper.
To defend the players on the roster, they have yet had the chance to prove themselves, but defending projected first round picks like Tennessee’s Justin Hunter and Da’Rick Rodgers, and highly touted Missouri freshman Doreal Green-Beckham will definitely be a tough challenge.
Despite such low numbers, Kentucky was able to sign a solid number in quantity in the 2012 recruiting class to provide depth needed for this season. Of the seven defensive players signed in 2012, three are listed as cornerbacks. But what will they need to do this season to hold their own? [/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Calibri][SIZE=3][COLOR=#000000]What’s a positive for Kentucky?[/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Calibri][SIZE=3][COLOR=#000000]With so many unknowns at the position, I think the Wildcats will need to be able to make plays early on, and be able to overcome the fact that there is not a lot of experience between them.
Caffey is one I believe can be able to make an impact coming over from the offensive side of the ball. One writer recently complimented Caffey, calling him an impact player for the Wildcats, having the advantage of being a bigger and physical cornerback.
Yet, even though one side is settled in who will be the starter on the other side? You do have Cartier Rice who has not proven himself enough, and has not taken advantage of the opportunity this spring.
Competition will be heavy for all of the newcomers, which I think they will take advantage of the early playing time. Incoming freshman like [B]Cody Quinn, Shawn Blaylock, [/B]and [B]Jonathan Reed [/B]all should have the opportunity to get on the field early. The newcomers even have the opportunity to claim that opening starting job at the other corner. [/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Calibri][SIZE=3][COLOR=#000000]The cornerback position is returning little production, if any from a year ago, making this year a tough road to climb.
A lot of the young guys will need to step up, or the opposite side of the field of Caffey will get abused by some of the top offenses in the SEC. [/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT]
