Kentucky Football: National Signing Day Preview of Running Back Signees

Kentucky football signed two running backs in this class: Mikel Horton and Stanley "Boom" Williams. Horton, from Cincinnati, chose to commit with Kentucky over eventual national champion Florida State. Williams, from Georgia, is Kentucky's highest-rated recruit in this heralded signing class. The previous Georgia commit had several offers from SEC schools, but he kept to his commitment with Kentucky.

Both of these players will have the opportunity for playing time next year. The running back position lost two seniors to graduation and another to transfer. Sophomore JoJo Kemp is the only returning back who was in the top four in total carries. In addition to Kemp, will be transfer Braylon Heard and redshirt Josh Clemons who has battled injuries the last two seasons.

Having depth at running back is critical given the wear and tear of a season. Kemp and Heard will battle for the first and second most carries, but Horton and Williams will compete along with Clemons for the third most carries. Additionally, Williams will be an asset playing an inside receiver as well. Similar to the role Ryan Timmons played last year. Horton is a physical runner with deceptive agility and pass-catching skills who may contribute the most in short yardage situations his freshman year though in the years ahead he'll be increasingly capable of more. Horton is already on campus as an early enrollee which will benefit his freshman year immensely.