Last year UK lost perhaps one of the greatest football players to ever wear a blue jersey, Mr. Randall Cobb. I don’t have to tell you that Cobb was some kind of wonderful. The only thing he didn’t do while at Kentucky was kick a field goal. In Alcoa, Tennessee Randall was a dangerous quarterback. His arm and legs gave numerous high school fits. He won as many state titles as he did “best eyes” competitions. So when UK offered Cobb a scholarship, one only assumed it was going to be to play quarterback for the Wildcats.
Theltus Cobbins had a similar road to Kentucky. He was an athletic quarterback from New Orleans. Joker recalled as he was recruiting Theltus “We walked into his school and everybody – he’s one of those guys similar to Randall Cobb – everybody likes and respects and he can manage their respect when you meet him”. Yes, he is similar to Randall Cobb and not just because he’s very likable. Their games are similar, but there are some physical differences.
Cobb is 5’11 and in his last spring at UK his 40 yard dash time was 4.55 seconds (4.59 as a frosh). Cobbins is 6’1 and currently as a freshman runs a 4.4 as he was a high school track star. Cobbins fits the “Randall Cobb” mold in every way possible except one.
When Randall Cobb committed to UK in 2007 Rich Brooks didn’t offer him a scholarship with the notion he would be a qb only. In fact it was Cobb’s athleticism that got him in the door, along with his attitude. When I say attitude I’m not referring to his good spirits, I mean his willingness to do anything the team needed him to do. When Cobb committed to UK he said “I am more of a guy who just wants to do whatever it takes to get on the field. I am a football player and don’t want to be categorized as just able to play one position”. To that point, Cobb first saw the field as a qb helping a struggling sophomore qb in Mike Hartline. He later saw the field as a kick and punt returner and eventually ended up a star wideout for the Cats. Now this year he is setting the NFL on fire as a receiver/returner.
Theltus Cobbins and the coaching staff need to perhaps re-evaluate their initial plans to play Cobbins as a full time quarterback. Joker initially said about Cobbins “He will be a quarterback for us, he has the knowledge of the position.” As of right now, UK is not going to play Cobbins at QB. Next year they certainly wont play him over Senior Morgan Newton. This then leaves Theltus as a junior with no experience competing with a talented sophomore Towles for the starting qb spot.
Let’s skip all that nonsense shall we? As of today UK has no gamebreakers on the receiving core. Cobbins is tall enough, fast enough and smart enough to play as an SEC receiver. Put him in and let his athleticism make some plays, right now. I guarantee you he would be more useful as a receiver than a bench warmer for the next 2 years.
For Cobbins and Joker the blueprints are laid out. Stay a quarterback, never see the field until your junior year and end up like Terrelle Pryor. He too was a very athletic qb who got drafted by the Oakland Raiders (UGH!) where his NFL career outlook is not so bright. OR start learning the wide receiver position and give yourself a shot at having a long career in the league, like a Randall Cobb. Hmm, that’s a tough one.
