Win or lose the next two, UK is now a winner

Let’s be honest about something. Something that’s been gnawing at the back of our mind for the last three years. “Was it real?” And, the answer to that question is, “yes”. UK is a winning program. The last three seasons were not flukes. The last three seasons were not just accidents of achievement.

Yes, yes. Each of us has our opinion of the staff and some of the calls that we’ve seen. We have questions about what we did or didn’t do to win. But, it hasn’t escaped me, and I hope it hasn’t escaped you, that this program, and we the fans, have quietly, gently, moved away from the “doomed loser” mindset we had for so many, many years, and into the mindset that we are competitors, capable of winning, with reason to invest hope in winning.

We are not, of course, Florida, or Alabama. We know that. But, it’s not as simple as what we are that’s important, it’s what UK is not. UK and it’s fans, are no longer the homecoming queens. We are no longer schedule fluff. And I want to tip my hat to all the coaches, and all the players here, and gone on, who have worked so hard to get us here from there.

If you recall, only a few years ago, UK was looked at in the similar fashion that we regard EKU, ULM, and the teams that UK is better than. A scrimmage you plan to win. We are no longer that team for all our opponents, with only IU and UL not expecting to win against us. We no longer are the team with that level of talent. We are a team that made Alabama work to win on their home field. We are the team that can now beat Auburn, beat Miss. St., beat Ole Miss. We are a team that is winning bowl games against other winning teams. We still have to work to do it, and we can lose to those teams, just as well. But, there can be no question that this UK program has achieved what we hoped to achieve. We are established winners.

UK has won the respect of the media in this process, as well. We no longer are a team that they immediately dismiss as being a possible ranked team. Now, we know that, if we have a good season, they don’t find it unthinkable to put a top 25 number beside our name. They may not do it as quickly as they would FSU, but they are certainly more willing to do it than they ever would have considered 6 years ago.

Win lose or draw on these last two games, this season has finally made it happen. We can believe. We can now look for upcoming players that will guide us into rankings, as opposed to hoping to develop players to achieve respectability. We are a winning team, in the best conference in football, with tons more media exposure than we had ever imagined we’d get.

It’s happened, guys, and hats off to Rich for it. We are winners. It’s not an accident. And, I’m so happy to say I got to live to see it.

JUCO RECRUITS PROJECT AS STARTERS

It is a rare thing when Juco come into a major college program such as UK’s and compete right away. You could ask Stevie Johnson, now a Pro, about the “learning curve” for SEC football. Knowing the difficulty adjusting to the level of play of a league like the SEC, most experts suggest that the Jucos don’t usually contribute until their Senior Year, hence the penchant of most schools to skip the Juco ranks. UK, however, is in a position of great need at the DT and WR spots and just happened to land two of the finest JUCO’s in the land

As it turns out, two of the last recruits that Rich Brooks and Co. Landed turned out to be the two highest rated kids in the entire UK recruiting class according to Rivals. They each land 4 Stars as does Ryan Mossakowski, AND with ratings of 5.9 to Ryan’s 5.8 are actually rated higher…but both rating falls into a range that includes the top 300 players in the country, with only the 5 star “franchise player” rating being higher….

The ratings are configured thusly using only twenty –five, 5 Star players around the country and 300-4 star prospects:

RATINGS 5.8 – 6.0

“All-American Candidate; high-major prospect; considered one of the nation’s top 300 prospects; deemed to have pro potential and ability to make an impact on college team”

Who are these young Juco lads that we signed and why are they so highly rated?

Dequin Evans (6-2, 275) is rated the No. 15 junior college prospect in the nation by Rivals.com and is a teammate of UK’s other 4 Star Recruit, Wide Out Chris Matthews 6’5” 210 4.5 Forty. Here is a tumbnail on both players:

DE DeQuin Evans- 6’2, 260, 4.6 40-

Evans is a talented Junior College defensive end, who if he manages to grasp the defense, should start opposite Jeremy Jarmon to open the season. At 6’2, 270 pounds and running a 4.6 40, Evans has all the pieces to be a force opposite Jarmon and DT Corey Peters who will both demand full focus from opposing offensive lines. His game is solid, the one concern is he is a JUCO who wasn’t able to enroll in January. That is a huge hindrance to the long and short term success of most junior college transfers. DeQuin looks to be a can’t miss prospect, but B.J. Parsons and Ernie Pelayo where also can’t miss prospects for the ‘Cats in the trenches. When you enroll late and miss that first spring practice of your playing career, sometimes that’s a mistake a JUCO player never gets over. With freshmen, it might slow them down, they might not fully understand the system, or the speed and effort needed every single snap in the SEC to be successful until late in their redshirt freshmen or true sophomore year. The same learning curve with a JUCO player would lead them to not understanding what it takes to win until they’ve already spent their eligibility. Evans has the tools, if he can come in and learn quickly, he could be a very productive member of what looks to be a stout defense in 2009. He should start his first year on campus, and should be considered the leader for the position ahead of Collins Ukwu and Donte Rumph.

Evans ended up deciding between Kentucky and Louisville. He also had scholarship offers from major Pac-10 and Big 12 schools, turning down offers from Arizona, Arizona State, Oregon, Washington State, Oregon State, Kansas and Kansas State.*

^*kyink.com

Scout- 4* Rivals- 4*

WR Chris Matthews- 6’5, 210, 4.5 40-

Matthews is a big, physical WR that can catch in traffic, as well as posing a threat down the field. He also possesses very good speed. As a JUCO, he has shown he can run good routes and has good technique. With the well-documented struggles of UK’s WR corps in 2008, the ‘Cats need an impact guy. Can Matthews break the JUCO jinx and be that guy? In two years at junior college, he had 124 receptions for 1,935 yards and 19 touchdowns. As fans, we should remain cautiously optimistic with Chris. Had he been able to enroll in January, his chances of breaking out in his first year would have increased.

Signs with UK over offers from Washington and Oregon.

ESPN- Doesn’t Rank JUCO’s

Scout- 3*

Rivals- 4*

^kyink.com

I expect these two Juco lads will be counted on extensively next season as UK unfolds it’s Pro-Style Offense with Morgan Newton**, at the QB spot ( SEC games), throwing to Randall Cobb, the aforementioned Chris Matthews, Cyrus Lanxter, Aaron Boyd, Maurice Grinter, Terrell Mitchell and many more…

**Morgan is rated a 4 Star by Scout and a 3 by Rivals.