BTI’s Rants and Ramblings: What Exactly UK Has Back for 2017
Obviously UK has some big possibilities remaining in this 2016 football season. Win out and some really big things could be on the verge of happening. But what should excite you about the UK football program, now that things seem to be headed in the right direction, is that 2017 appears to be a chance for even bigger things. Take a moment and look at what Kentucky will have returning next year, assuming there are not any transfers or injuries. In total, of the 172 total starts made this year, 148 of those starts have been made by juniors or younger. The Cats will not be losing a lot coming into next year.
And don’t forget, Florida, Tennessee, and Louisville at home. And replacing a road game against Alabama with a home game against Ole Miss.
Quarterback
Stephen Johnson (Senior): 5 starts, 83-146, 1128 yards, 7 TD, 3 INT
Drew Barker (Junior): 3 starts, 18-36, 334 yards, 4 TD, 5 INT
Also Returning: Gunnar Hoak, Luke Wright
Running Back
Boom Williams (Senior): 7 starts, 109 carries, 821 yards, 3 TD
Benny Snell (Sophomore): 118 carries, 661 yards, 8 TD
Also Returning: Sihiem King, AJ Rose
Wide Receiver
Jeff Badet (Senior): 8 starts, 20 catches, 496 yards, 4 TD
Garrett Johnson (Senior): 8 starts, 25 catches, 306 yards, 2 TD
Tavin Richardson (Junior): 5 starts, 7 catches, 137 yards
Dorian Baker (Senior): 3 starts, 4 catches, 48 yards
Blake Bone (Senior): 2 catches, 14 yards
Kayuane Ross (Junior): 2 catches, 10 yards
Also Returning: Jabari Greenwood, Dakota Holzclaw, Ryan Kendall, Alex Montgomery, Charles Walker
Tackle
Kyle Meadows (Senior): 8 starts
Cole Mosier (Senior): 5 starts
Guard
Nick Haynes (Senior): 8 starts
Ramsey Meyers (Senior): 2 starts
George Asafo-Adjei (Junior): 7 games played
Logan Stenberg (Junior): 7 games played
Center
Bunchy Stallings (Junior): 4 starts
Also Returning: Drake Jackson
Defensive End
Denzil Ware (Junior): 8 starts, 34 tackles, 4.5 sacks
Alvonte Bell (Senior): 2 starts, 19 tackles, 0.5 sacks
TJ Carter (Sophomore): 6 tackles
Kenegra Daniel (Junior): 2 tackles
Defensive Tackle
Adrian Middleton (Junior): 6 starts, 19 tackles
Matt Elam (Senior): 6 starts, 4 tackles
Naquez Pringle (Senior): 2 starts, 24 tackles, 0.5 sacks
Tymere Dubose (Junior): 6 tackles
Also Returning: Calvin Taylor, Jaquize Cross
Linebacker
Jordan Jones (Junior): 8 starts, 71 tackles, 2.0 sacks
Courtney Love (Senior): 8 starts, 45 tackles, 1.0 sacks
Josh Allen (Junior): 6 starts, 36 tackles, 5.5 sacks
Kobie Walker (Junior): 2 starts, 10 tackles
Eli Brown (Sophomore): 16 tackles
De’Niro Laster (Senior): 14 tackles, 1.0 sacks
Kash Daniel (Sophomore): 5 tackles
Also Returning: Jaylin Bannerman, Jordan Bonner, Nico Firios
Cornerback
Derrick Baity (Junior): 8 starts, 30 tackles, 2 INT
Chris Westry (Junior): 8 starts, 29 tackles
Kendall Randolph (Senior): 14 tackles
Also Returning: Jordan Griffin
Safety
Mike Edwards (Junior): 8 starts, 60 tackles
Also Returning: Darius West, Marcus Walker
9 Comments for BTI’s Rants and Ramblings: What Exactly UK Has Back for 2017
With all the returners (minus Boom, he’s gone to the league) and the schedule, we could be in for a special year.
I’ve been back and forth with this. It’s a strong rb class this year, he’d have a chance to come back and do something special next year (look at everything we have coming back + how many seniors!). But he is injury prone, so he may pull the trigger. He’s not listed in CBS’s prospect database under RB or WR … But if Alfonso can make it in the league for how ever many years, Boom sure can (although significant difference in size).
Good catch.
Matt Elam has more starts than tackles? I know part of it is defensive scheme (eating up blocks in the middle), but you have to figure at least one time per game a ball carrier would run into him and fall down.
I think they slide mosier or meadows over to center
On top of that, we will finally have the extra practice time and player development that a bowl game affords.
And we can narrow down who will start at center next year. I feel as though every other position is pretty solid. I am nervous about losing a player of Toth’s caliber with someone who is untested. I’m sure OL coach is going to do a great job with development, but I would like the line to start the year strong for whoever is going to be QB.
He has been starting at guard these last few games.
not sure if Hart is currently a JR or SR (i think JR). But Conrad will be a JR and Riggs I believe will be a RS-FR