by Butch Dill - AP

"You see, you have to catch the ball, before you can run ..."

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"The season of redemption is upon us." --  That must be the mantra knocking around the heads of the University of Kentucky receiving corps about now.  After what can only be described as a mini-disaster of an effort in 2008 (dropped ball galores, terribly run routes), UK's wide-outs now have that pesky freshman season firmly behind them.  Eric Adeyemi, Randall Cobb, Gene McCaskill, and Matt Roark all will be striving to put the memory of '08 in the rear view mirror.  And reports out of camp point to the possibility of a tremendous turnaround in wide receiver production in store for the 2009 campaign -- Of course, adding 6'5" juco All-America Chris Matthews to the fold of receivers has immensely increased the talent level, and his presence should make UK's group of receivers an Excedrin headache for opposing defensive coordinators.  Something they were not last season.

And honestly, they have no choice but to be better.  Not because they couldn't be worse than last year, rather, in order for this Kentucky football team to be successful, the receivers simply must perform up to their capabilities.  And if that indeed does happen, it will all start with Randall Cobb.  The sophomore sensation must play like the star many think he is destined to become.  He must lead his still youthful group of teammates, not only with his words, but most importantly with his play.

Cobb must oversee receivers who drop fewer balls, and run crisp routes; all areas which will be closely monitored by UK football fans, because if '09 is to be different (read: better than) the '08 season, then that's where the improvement needs to be most evident.  Is Cobb capable of imposing his will onto his teammates?  We begin to find the answer on Saturday.

So, let's meet the group of players I feel are "most likely to impress" in 2009:

The Starters

Randall Cobb -- 5'11", 188 lb sophomore : The 2008 SEC All-Freshman Team member rushed 79 times for 316 yards (4.0 yards per carry) and seven touchdowns.  From the receiver spot, Cobb caught 21 passes for 197 yards and two touchdowns (9.4 yards per catch), and from the quarterback position he completed 52 of 99 passes (52.5%), good for 542 yards, two touchdowns, and five interceptions.  Cobb also returned 11 punts for a total of 92 yards (8.4 yards per return) -- The highly versatile Cobb started four games at both receiver and quarterback.  In UK's Arkansas victory, Cobb caught two touchdown passes from Mike Hartline in the final 4:15 of the game to seal UK's incredible comeback victory.  Cobb also nearly beat Georgia single-handedly by rushing for 82 yards and three touchdowns.

In 2009, Cobb will also be used in UK's "Wildcat" package where he'll line up at quarterback, with the option to run or throw.  As stated above, The Alcoa, Tennessee native must emerge as a force on the field, and on the sideline;  some guys are just winners, and that can be contagious. 

Chris Matthews -- 6'5", 210 lb junior: Last year at Los Angeles Harbor College, Matthews caught 80 passes for 1,234 yards (15.4 yards per catch) and 11 touchdowns in only nine games.  His freshman year in junior college he caught 32 passes for 529 yards and four touchdowns.  Matthews was rated a top-10 junior college prospect, and No. 2 wide receiver prospect by Rivals.  He runs a 4.5 40-yard dash -- At Dorsey  High School in Los Angeles, his senior year he caught a school record four touchdowns passes in one game.  Matthews is a cousin of the late Reggie White (Tennessee).  His father, Darell, played football at Lane University, and his mother Michelle, played basketball at TCU.  

Matthews is a "gonna be" stud.  In UK's fall camp, Matthews' lethal combination of size and speed made it almost impossible for UK's secondary to defend him.  Whether he succeeds as his potential portends is  yet to be seen, but I like his chances. 

The Backups

Gene McCaskill -- 6'0", 182 lb sophomore : In 2008 McCaskill caught 15 passes for 182 yards (12.1 yards per catch).  He also returned three punts for 19 yards (6.3 yards per return).  He had his best game in the Liberty Bowl: Three catches for 64 yards.  McCaskill runs a 4.6 40-yard dash -- His brother, Chris White, played football at South Carolina.

McCaskill started the final four games of '08, enjoying his best outing in the Liberty Bowl (three catches for 64 yards).  He's second on the depth chart behind Matthews, and should see plenty of reps in '09.

Kyrus Lanxter -- 6'2", 205 lb junior: In his 16 game career, Lanxter has caught 24 passes for 210 yards (8.4 yards per catch) and one touchdown,  In 11 games in '08, he caught 23 passes for 195 yards (8.5 yards per catch) and one touchdown.  He scored his only collegiate touchdown in last year Liberty Bowl, where he caught five passes for 46 yards (9.2 yards per catch) -- Lanxter's uncle, Cory Anderson, played football at Tennessee.  Lanxter played at the same high school at Randall Cobb (Alcoa High School in Tennessee).

The lone junior of the group, Lanxter had a solid, if unspectacular '08 season.  He's listed as second on the depth chart behind Randall Cobb,and like McCaskill, will see plenty of turf time in '09.  

Eric  Adeyemi -- 6'0", 170 lb sophomore: Adeyemi played in all 13 games in '08, earning three starts.  He caught 13 passes for 108 yards (8.3 yards per catch), and he also rushed three times for 12 yards (4.0 yards per carry).  Keeping with the trend, Adeyemi recorded his best outing versus ECU in the Liberty Bowl, catching two passes for 31 yards.  The speedster once ran a sub-4.4 40-yard dash in high school, and he runs the 110 meters in 13.9 seconds.

The fastest Wildcat, Adeyemi has more potential than Carter has pills.  He's yet another receiver who began to play much better toward the end of the season.  Although he's listed third on the depth chart behind behind Cobb and Lanxter, Adeyemi will be on the field much of the time for UK.  And due to his incredible speed, will always be a threat.

La 'Rod King -- 6'4", 190 lb freshman: The North Hardin graduate (yes, the same high school as Andre' Woodson) has proved to be a very versatile athlete: He played quarterback, wide receiver, tight end, safety, and on special teams for the Trojans.  Primarily a quarterback his senior year, he was recruited for the receiver spot because of his length, and sure hands.  King was rated the No. 7 prospect in Kentucky by Rivals.

The true freshman has surprised in '09.  Thought to be a serious redshirt candidate coming into camp, King has pushed his way up the depth chart with his consistent pass catching ability, and pure athleticism.  Listed third on the depth chart behind Matthews and McCaskill, King will have some opportunities to display his wares to a wider audience in the fall. 

Matt Roark -- 6'6", 209 lb sophomore: In '08 Roark caught one pass for 16 yards, but proved to be a special teams asset by blocking three kicks: A field goal attempt versus U of L, an extra point in UK's 14-13 win over Mississippi State, and an extra point against ECU in the Liberty Bowl.  Roark played in 13 games last year, starting against Tennessee -- Roark came to UK as a quarterback, but made the position switch to wide out in the spring of '08.  His father, Ray Gover, lettered in football at UK from '85-'88 as a defensive back and wide receiver.

Roark, like so many other of the receivers, must prove he can catch the ball on a consistent basis.  He's listed third on the depth chart behind Cobb and Lanxter.

The Tight Ends

Ross Bogue -- 6'5", 244 lb senior: In 39 career games, Bogue has caught only one pass for eight yards -- His father Doug played football at Georgia Tech.

Not much to say about Bogue, except that he leap-frogged over two proven tight end commodities to earn the starting nod.  He's obviously doing something the coaches like.  

T. C. Drake -- 6'6", 242 lb senior: In 38 career games (nine starts) Drake has caught 13 passes for 206 yards and one touchdown.  In 08, he played in all 13 games and recorded 12 receptions for 204 yards (17.0 yards per catch).  The Nelson County High School alum was a part-time starter in '08, with his best game coming against Middle Tennessee, where he recorded four catches for 82 yards (20.5 yards per catch) -- Drake's father, Terry, played basketball at Campbellsville University, and his sister Samantha has committed to play basketball at Kentucky for Matthew Mitchell.

The sure-handed Drake will always hold a special place in UK football lore, for he caught a two yard tipped pass (exhibiting tremendous hand-eye coordination and reflexes) for a touchdown in UK's historic win over LSU in 2007.  Drake is what one looks for in a tight end; long, big, and relatively fast.  All three UK tight ends are very capable of playing the position effectively, but Drake will see serious clock-time in '09. 

Maurice Grinter -- 6'3", 253 lb senior: Grinter, out of Fairdale High School, has played in 33 games (four starts) as both a fullback and tight end.  He's rushed 10 times for 36 yards (3.6 yards per carry) and two touchdowns, and caught 19 passes for 201 (10.6 yards per catch) yards and three touchdowns.  Grinter moved from fullback to tight end in the spring of '08.  Last year Grinter recorded 12 receptions for 162 yards (13.5 yards per catch) and two touchdowns.  He caught the winning touchdown versus Mississippi State last season.

Grinter has shown to have soft hands, and nimble feet for such a big man.  I think offensive coordinator Joker Phillips should use Grinter more within UK's offense, but with both Bogue, Drake and Grinter sharing time at the tight end spot, his reps may decrease from last year.

CliffsNotes Analysis

They have to be better.  How's that for deep thinkin'?

But, with Randall Cobb now able to focus on a narrower band of responsibilities, plus the natural progression of freshman turning into sophomores, along with the addition of Chris Matthews, indicates a very real possibility that UK's wide receiver position will evolve into a team strength in 2009. 

Thanks for reading, and Go 'Cats!