2010 Kentucky Football: The Running Backs

With only 11 days separating the UK football Cats and their opening road date with the Louisville Cardinals, it's now time to offer the latest breakdown of the Wildcat roster: We begin with the tailbacks and fullbacks.

Last season UK ran for an impressive 2,486 yards (5th SEC) on 551 attempts (4.5 yards per carry), and 26 touchdowns.  Those numbers extrapolate out to 191.2 yards per game on 42 carries per game.  Of course the Cats lost to graduation running back Alfonso Smith, who contributed 245 rushing yards (4.1 ypc) and two touchdowns, as well as fullback supreme John Conner, who opened gaping holes for his teammates, and himself ran for 158 yards (5.1 ypc) and two touchdowns.  Conners' fullback back-up A.J. Nance is also gone.

Yet another unit missing from 2009 is the Kentucky starting offensive line, which will be replaced by performers with experience, but not vast starting experience.   Regardless, with Kentucky's quarterback situation an area of concern for Cat fans and coaches alike, the running backs will be counted on to provide UK with major yards once again this season. 

And it all starts with ...

The Tailbacks 

Derrick Locke -- 5-9, 190 lb senior: Locke ranks 10th in Kentucky history in yards rushing with 1,732 yards (4.9 ypc), to go along with 12 career rushing touchdowns.  Locke has caught 61 career passes, good for 565 yards and three touchdowns.  In 12 games last season, the speedy Oklahoman ran for 907 yards on 196 carries (4.6 ypc) and caught 31 passes for 284 yards and two touchdowns.  Also, last season Locke ran for 1,830 all-purpose yards (907 rush; 284 receiving; 639 kick return), which ranked 2nd in the SEC.  In 2009, Locke's 639 kick return yards (one touchdown) ranked third in the SEC.  For his career, Locke has amassed 3,352 all-purpose yards and if he produces similar all-purpose yards in 2010 (as compared to his 2009 numbers), he will be firmly ensconced as the No. 3 all-purpose producer in UK football history.  And if Locke is able to maintain his current 27.1 yards per return average, he will top the Kentucky career kickoff return list (min. 30 returns).  Locke has scored 12 touchdowns in his last 19 games.

The superlatives flow easily from ones lips when describing Derrick Locke and what he brings to the Kentucky football team.  A combination of speed and power, Locke hits the hole with lightening quickness, or, he has the option of pancaking his opponent, especially when he turns the corner and is confronted by cornerback whose ambition is trumped by Locke's power.  A terrific pass catcher, Locke is often utilized by running bubble screens (jail break to the old timers) in an effort to get him in open space.

In 2010, Locke will be looked at to provide stability in an otherwise youthful offensive backfield.  And although UK boasts depth at the tailback spot, it is inexperienced depth, resulting in Locke being thrust into a leadership role. 

Look for Locke to get his hands on the ball around 20-25 times per game this year, through a combination of rushes, passes and kick returns.  If he stays healthy, and UK's young offensive line performs, Locke should push the 1,000 yard rushing mark, as well as haul in 300 yards in receptions.

Donald Russell -- 5-11, 209 lb sophomore: In 2009, Russell rushed 13 times for 137 yards (10.5 ypc) and one touchdown.  Russell is the No. 2 tailback on UK's depth chart.

A true speed demon (he runs a sub-4.4 40 yard dash), Russell possesses the ability to make defenders miss; his acceleration begins as soon as he touches the ball.  But as with many young, speedy backs, waiting on the hole to open is a discipline that is sometimes learned over time.   

The West Palm Beach native will be relied on to backup Locke at the tailback spot, and considering UK will run the ball around 40 times per game, Russell will have ample opportunity to display his speed and cutting ability.  A star-in-waiting, I am not alone in expecting Russell to have a huge year. 

Raymond Sanders -- 5-8, 185 lb freshman: Sanders, who has picked up the UK offense quickly, was rated the No. 15 all-purpose back in the nation coming out of high school, and the No. 41 prospect in the talent-rich state of Georgia, by Rivals.com.  His senior year he ran for 1,604 yards and 25 touchdowns, sporting a 10+ yards per carry average.  In an ESPN featured game against Martin Luther King High School, Sanders put the nation on notice with 130 yards rushing and two touchdowns.  In his junior season, Sanders ran for 1,311 yards and 17 touchdowns.'

Rivals.com's Barry Every said this about Sanders, "Reminds me of (former UK tailback) Rafael Little ... (he) has the uncanny ability to break tackles and make plays." 

Sanders is fighting for playing time in a crowded UK running back corps, but per Phillips, the fact that he has learned the offense so expediently places him squarely in the mix as the third option out of the Wildcat backfield.  If Sanders is able to overcome putting the ball on the ground, a problem he has had during fall practice, look for him to provide steady yardage, with the possibility of him having a break-out year.

Jonathan George -- 5-10, 204 lb redshirt freshman: The Alabama native would have seen time last season at tailback if not for suffering a severe ankle sprain, necessitating him being redshirted.  An explosive runner capable of breaking tackles, George ran for 127 yards in UK's Spring Game.  His senior year in high school, George ran for 3,300 all-purpose yards and 26 touchdowns, with five touchdowns on kick-off returns and four on punt returns. 

Yet another track star, George was state champion in the 200-meters, 400-meters, and 4x400 relay.  He also won the state wrestling championship in both his junior and senior years.

George adds depth and speed to Kentucky's running back contingent.  With injuries always a possibility, George could find himself in position to move up the depth chart.  And the fact that he is so adept at returning kicks will be another avenue for Phillips to get him on the field.

CoShik Williams -- 5-9, 180 lb redshirt sophomore: Another Georgia native, Williams ran for 50 yards on 14 carries last season (3.6 ypc).

Falling in line with his fellow tailbacks, Williams possesses a very quick first step, augmented by serious speed.  But, with the abundance of backs filling up the Kentucky roster, he'll be hard-pressed to see much action this season.  Of course, injuries could necessitate him seeing playing time.

 Brandon Gainer -- 5'11", 200 lb freshman: The No. 15 running back prospect in the nation out of Miami, Florida, Gainer ran for almost 4,700 yards and 37 touchdowns in his high school career.  He was rated the overall No. 52 player in Florida by Rivals.com.

Gainer, like his fellow freshman Raymond Sanders, has impressed Phillips with his speed and ability to make defenders miss.  Gainer's sheer talent might enable him to see some time this season, but as is true with every back not name Locke or Russell, finding meaningful snaps will be a difficult proposition absent injuries to those above him on the depth chart.  A redshirt year is possible.

Miles Simpson -- 6-2, 210 lb freshman: The Simon Kenton alum produced a monster year last season, rushing for 2,227 yards and 38 touchdowns.  He also posted two receiving TD's and one kick return for six.  His junior year, Simpson ran for 2,309 yards and 37 touchdowns.  Simpson was rated the No. 2 prospect in Kentucky last year by SuperPrep, and a top-100 back by all of the scouting services.  Simpson's father, David, played football at EKU.

Recruiting analyst Tom Lemming had this to say about Simpson, "He is a dominating high school back whose talent screams big time."

A redshirt year is a strong possibility for the bruising, yet quick, tailback.  Simpson has, though, impressed the coaching staff thus far with his work ethic and power running game.

Quarterbacks/Receivers as Running Backs

Randall Cobb -- 5-11, 186 lb junior wide receiver: UK's studly do-right carried the ball 94 times last year; good for 573 yards (6.1 ypc) and 10 touchdowns.  For his career, Cobb has rushed for 889 yards on 173 carries (5.1 ypc) and 17 touchdowns.

Cobb, working out of the "Wildcat" formation, will once again see time as a ball carrier.  Cobb's singular ability to make defenders tackle air, along with his solid speed numbers, makes him the most dangerous offensive weapon on the field most games.  Coach Phillips, in an effort to get the ball in Cobb's able hands, will utilize him in as many ways as possible, which includes the aforementioned "Wildcat" package, or as a runner out of the backfield.  

Morgan Newton -- 6-4, 235 lb sophomore: Last season, Newton, out of the quarterback spot, ran 59 times for 130 yards (205 positive yards) and two touchdowns.

Although Newton lost his bid for the starting signal-caller position to senior Mike Hartline, most feel he will be given a chance to play significant time under center.  Newton's mobility is one of his strengths, and his overall talent is obvious, making him someone difficult to sit.  Look for Newton to take full advantage of any opportunity that might come his way ... and that opportunity will probably come sooner rather than later.

The Fullbacks 

Moncell Allen -- 5-7, 232 lb senior: Out of the running back position last season, Allen rushed for 228 yards on 47 carries (4.9 ypc) and two touchdowns. He also caught eight passes for 23 yards.  For his career, Allen has ran for 469 yards (4.9 ypc) and three touchdowns, to go along with 15 pass receptions for 70 yards and one touchdown.

Allen will take over the starting fullback job from the graduated John Conner.  I expect Allen will excel in his new role; his speed, and power blocking should help ease the transition from a senior-laden offensive line to the youth movement we will witness this season.

Greg Meisner -- 6-1, 236 lb junior: Meisner moved from the defensive end spot to backup fullback after the graduation of Conner and A.J. Nance.

Look for a breakdown of the quarterbacks and receivers in the coming days.

Thanks for reading, and Go Cats!