I was reminded today of a conversation several years ago with a younger partner at the large law firm where I used to work. As a lowly associate, I wondered why there was palpable angst among a group of people who all made such a good living. I've never forgotten his response. "If all I knew was what I made, I'd be very happy with it. But I have the curse of knowing what everyone else makes too." As I later learned myself, the fact that you are on a great totem pole isn't necessarily comforting when you are at the bottom.

That pretty much encapsulates my feeling on National Signing Day. First off, the Cats had a great day today, with things breaking about as well as could be expected. Kentucky held on to everyone it had locked down and pulled a couple of last minute coups. Joker and his staff did an excellent job this offseason, especially considering that the season didn't go as we'd all hoped. Still, this year's class puts us once again at or near the bottom of the SEC.

First, lets take a look at how things unfolded. Last night ESPN reported, and today it was confirmed, that Pratville, AL QB Jalen Whitlow would change his commitment from Arkansas State to the Cats. As expected, Ft. Thomas Highlands QB Patrick Towles signed on the dotted line. In fact, his was the first LOI Joker received this morning. In fact, all in state players who'd previously committed, including big DT Thomas Chapman from Louisville Manual, followed suit. Things got even better as the morning continued.

Continue reading this post »

First of all, treat this as home base for all discussion about National Signing Day today. It is during this time where Kentucky , and most other schools, will learn the makeup of the lion's share of their 2012 recruiting class.

I'll be moving this thread to the top all day, so look for new posts and updates just below this one. I will update this post periodically with new information as it comes in.

National Signing Day is a huge deal around most of the SEC, but at Kentucky it is less so. While UK fans are very fond of our football, this is mainly a basketball school and therefore this event is not nearly as big as something like Big Blue Madness. The thing that makes NSD unique is the sheer number of athletes each school signs, so the news dribbles in all day. Plus, for the schools who tend to get highly-ranked national recruiting classes, there is often quite a bit of drama about whether this prospect or that will actually sign his National Letter of Intent, or hang out for awhile considering others.

We'll see. Updates as we get them in. After the jump, we'll list what we know. Be sure to hit refresh often.

Continue reading this post »

If you didn't already like former UK All-America football star Randall Cobb, check out this clip of Cobb as he watches the 'Cats beat Tennessee in football this past November. If this video doesn't put a smile on your face, check your pulse to ensure you're not at room temperature, and turn in your UK football fan membership card.

This clip is supplied by Moncell Allen, former UK running back/full back.

With national signing day coming up on February 1, here is a quick look on the Kentucky Wildcats Football Class of 2012 and how it is shaping up.

OVERVIEW

Kentucky is sitting on 23 commits, the vast majority of which are rated three star by Rivals and Scout. The Cats plucked six and three prospects from the hotbeds of Georgia and Florida, respectively. Five commits are homegrown. The class is heavy on DBs, with seven total signees,including speedy CB Cody Quinn, a Illinois decommit who chose UK last week. Unfortunately, Kentucky has signed only one LB, Kadeem Thomas from Tallahassee, FL. Other holes are at WR (2) and TE (0). There are no 300lb. run stoppers in the group, but UK did manage to grab 6'4" 290lb. DT Thomas Chapman from Manual High School in Louisville. He is one of the state's top players.

THE PLUMB

From a PR and competitive standpoint, the Cats' most important signee is Parade All-American QB, Patrick Towles. Patrick has the size (6'5", 230), speed (4.7) and arm strength to be top flight SEC signal caller. A true dual threat, Towles is listed in the ESPN Recruiting Rankings as and "Athlete", though he will undoubtedly be behind center at UK. Towles will not participate in spring practice (something Kentucky never seems to be able to get Quarterbacks to do) but is on record that he expects to compete for a starting job in the fall. A Ft. Thomas Highlands pedigree means he's been well coached and is somewhat used to the spotlight.

Continue reading this post »

Per the SEC Web site, here is your conference schedule for Kentucky Football in 2012-2013:

September 22 - at Florida Gators

September 29- South Carolina Gamecocks

October 6- Mississippi St. Bulldogs

October 13- at Arkansas Razorbacks

October 20- Georgia Bulldogs

October 27- at Missouri Tigers

November 3- Vanderbilt Commodores

November 24- at Tennessee Volunteers

With the SEC moving to 14 teams in 2012-2013, some tweaks in football scheduling had to take place. Though there have been rumors floating around for a couple of weeks, the SEC made it official this morning by revealing next year's schedule. Since the early 2000s, the SEC football schedule has followed a pattern that is best described as 5-1-2. Each team played a game against each of five foes within their division, one game against a permanent "rival" from the other division, and two rotating games against other inter-division foes. The six permanent games rotated home-and-home each year. As for the two games that weren't fixtures, each team rotated onto your schedule for two years for a home-and-home, then fell off.

With seven teams now in each division, the SEC was presented with several choices. 1) Just adding in an extra division game for a total of 9; 2) Adding the extra division game and getting rid of the "rivalry game", for a total of 8; 3) Adding the extra division game, preserving the rivalries, and getting rid of one inter-division rotating game.

In the end, the SEC chose to go with option three

Continue reading this post »

John Clay brings to our attention the fact that Kentucky head football coach Joker Phillips held a teleconference today to talk with the media about the 2011 season and beyond. You can find the full audio here, but below are the main points made:

• In answer to a question about how recruiting is going in response to Kentucky's "strong finish," Phillips said they have been getting a "great response."
• Dale Trimble is no longer with the team, but other than that, no roster changes.
• Regarding staff changes, Phillips said none are planned, but may have to try to hang on to a few. No coaches are being moved to other positions. The job vacated by Steve Brown apparently will be filled, but there is no timetable for that.
  
• Phillips said UK is in the market for some JUCO players, needs to get "older" at linebacker and safety as well as wide receiver and offensive tackle.
• Phillips was asked about Mitch Barnhart's statement of support, and if he feels any pressure. Phillips said that he, and all coaches, put pressure on themselves, and that doesn't change because he didn't have the type of season they expected to have. Neither he nor Barnhart were happy with how the season went, but both want to "move forward."
• When asked about Morgan Newton's future, Phillips said Newton will not be ready for spring practice, will be May or June before he is able to compete for "a position." He has to earn his position, according to Phillips, just like everyone else.
  
• Ridge Wilson will be in a non-contact status for the spring, but will stay out of the winter program. Everyone else other than the aforementioned Newton should be ready for the spring.

Continue reading this post »

The 2011 season is getting long in the tooth now, and there are not many more ballots to be cast (maybe one more, or so I suppose), so here is my final whack at the top 25 now that the regular season is officially over.

There were a lot of positional changes this week due to some huge games. Just as in the other polls for the BCS, the Oklahoma St. Cowboys did not quite eclipse Alabama. How close were they? 22/100ths of a point (0.22) of of a total of 100 points. They almost got there. Of course, I don't get a say in the BCS rankings and that's a darn good thing, too.

Anyway, the biggest movers on my ballot, which I prepared but did not get to submit last week, were South Carolina with their big defeat of Clemson, Clemson with their come-back defeat of top 5 Virginia Tech, and the aforementioned Hokies in a negative direction. Houston was the biggest negative drop from #9 to #20 after getting beat by Southern Miss. Oklahoma also crashed, down 9 after their devastating loss to Oklahoma State.

Continue reading this post »

How great was yesterday's win over Tennessee?  OK, that's a dumb question (the answer: too great for mere words).  Of course, yesterday wrapped up the college career of one of the great Cats: Danny Trevathan.  I was struck by a comment Danny made in the LHL article about him on Saturday:

When asked what he hopes Kentucky fans will remember about Danny Trevathan, the senior linebacker hits all the talking points about giving his all and being a hard worker.

Then he pauses for a second and says: "I just hope people remember me."

I don't think there is any danger of Kentucky fans forgetting about #22, and pretty soon NFL offenses are going to get to know him real well. 

But in honor of Danny Trevathan, I offer the following:

Continue reading this post »