In an effort to prepare you for kickoff on Aug. 31, we’ll be previewing the heck out of the UK football team for the next 19 days. Because hey, what else is there to do? Today we’re bringing you what we think are the top 10 impact freshmen this year.
Brooks has already said he’ll play 7-10 freshmen this year, but in the interest of fairness, we’ll include redshirt freshman as well. Some of these picks are obvious, others may not be.
1. Randall Cobb–Athlete
Backup-QB, part-time wide receiver, full time punt returner. Basically, Cobb is going to see the field this season from game 1 to game 12. The kid is better than originally thought and seems to be giving a big finger to Tennessee. Can’t argue with that.
2. Aaron Boyd–Wide Receiver
If he stops kissing so many pretty girls around campus and catching mono, he’d be number one. Boyd is good, knows he’s good and wants to make an impact NOW. Kyrus Lanxter better watch his back.
3. Randall Burden–Corner
With Paul Warford gone this season and David Jones/Shomari Moore as career backups, Burden could make the same type of impact shutdown corner Trevard Lindley did two years ago as a freshman. While technically a redshirt, we aren’t penaltizing for that.
4. Stuart Hines–Off. Lineman
Hines just barely was redshirted last year and could make an impact this year in the rotation. Zipp Duncan is likely to take most of the time if Christian Johnson doesn’t return anytime soon, but Hines could see time and position himself to be the guy if the injury bug strikes.
5. Matt Lentz–safety
I dig the mohawk Lentz. I really do. And I like how you’ve taken your knowledge as a quarterback and applied it to playing safety. Ashton Cobb is definitely starting at strong safety this year, but you’re looking at some playing time. And keep the hawk.
6. Cartier Rice–corner
Like Burden, you have a chance to come in and make an impact. You’ll probably only be seen in nickle and dime packages, unless you really explode. Which we hope you do.
7. Danny Trevathan–linebacker
Micah Johnson isn’t moving from the middle linebacker spot, but sometimes he might need a breather. And this is looking like your spot to take, kid. We hear good things about you, how you’re already in the mix at middle linebacker. So keep up the good work.
8. Matt Roark–athlete
Randall Cobb pretty much made sure you weren’t playing QB anytime soon, but that’s okay since you’re 6-6 and a pretty good receiver. If you’d like to line up in the slot or as a fourth-receiver and just run a post to the middle of the field, we’d be very happy.
9. Ryan Tydlacka–Kicker/Punter
What? A kicker? Yeah, because I’m sure you all have just as much confidence in Lones Seiber as I do. If the offense sputters early, we’ll need a kicking game. And this kid may actually make grown men at Commonwealth be able to watch extra points and field goals without cursing.
10. Anthony Mosley–wide receiver
Before all these fancy freshman arrived, Mosley was seen as a darkhouse to create some havoc at wide receiver… and I don’t see why he still couldn’t. You write this name down, Anthony Mosley, and see if he pans out.
