2014 Kentucky Football Preview
The Kentucky Wildcats are getting ready for the 2014 season, Kirby Smart's second as Head Coach. In his first year, he led the team to three conference wins and a bowl win. A 7-6 record was a surprise to some, especially for a young roster that went through plenty of changes. The offense took quickly to their roots, returning to a pass-first system that might be adding to the record book that is covered with the history of Tim Couch, Jared Lorenzen, and Andre Woodson. This year, the offense is expected to be prolific and the success of this UK team is dependent on that.
Better news for the program, the entire coaching staff stayed and no players left early. The staff was rumored for numerous jobs, including at other SEC schools. But at the end of the day, the staff has stayed and so have the players. A small recruiting class bolstered the roster that is still trying to improve on get on "the level of their competition." Those are the words of Kirby Smart who still thinks Kentucky has lots to prove, to show they can compete with teams like his former, Alabama.
The offense will be led by third year sophomore Patrick Towles. The highly decorated high school star in the Bluegrass State, has become a fan favorite after one full season as a starter. He helped Daryl Collins rewrite the record book, becoming the school's season leader in receptions. Towles-to-Collins and Towles-to-Shields (who set a school record for receptions in a season by a tight end), will continue this year. The entire offense returns, sans Team Captain and two year starter at tackle Kevin Mitchell.
As for the defense, they return eight players and lose two starters on the line. Questions about the depth and ability are abound, including if the defense has enough playmakers. The entire defense was inconsistent and the coaching staff has been focused on creating "havoc and turnovers." Freddie Roach, a former player and now coach under Smart, he has been pushing players to create chaos with a phrase he took from the former state motto: "Raise Hell." The players have taken to it, wearing t-shirts and Big Blue nation is catching on as well. Taking to social media (#RaiseHell), all getting ready for the upcoming season.
This season could be big, with a full season now under the guide of a very capable coaching staff. Pre-Season publications and media outlets are calling on Kentucky to have a big year offensively and to be a potential "sleeper" team nationally. A team that could surprise this season, a lot will depend on the play of the defense and if the offense can reduce their mistakes (allowed 47 sacks, 20 giveaways). Phil Steele named Kentucky his top "Surprise Team" crediting the team for returning 18 starters and losing close games last season.
As for the schedule, it will be as difficult as in the past. The season starts with back-to-back road games at Louisville and then Western Kentucky. After that they get Ohio at home, which won't be easy with the Bobcats being a favorite to win the MAC this season. Then comes the SEC schedule, which starts in the Swamp and ends at Rocky Top. Florida continues their impressive 27 game winning streak over Kentucky; the longest active streak of consecutive wins over one opponent in the country. The team plays six home games, and their SEC home opener will be against South Carolina, who is expected to be ranked in the top ten. Besides playing the SEC East, Mississippi State and Alabama come over from the West Division. They will host the Bulldogs and travel to Smart's former stomping ground, Tuscaloosa.
Kentucky might be in for a big season, but some question if they can even have a winning conference record. Their last non-losing conference record came in 2006, and the last winning SEC season was in 1977. For this to be a winning season, a lot will have to break right for the Wildcats and the team will have to beat teams that will be ranked in the Top 25 or will be heavily favored. The returning talent and makeup of the team looks ready to compete and win, but there are still lots of questions about this Wildcats team.
Offense
Returning Starters: 10
The Scheme: Shannon Dawson returns to run the offense. Dawson is an extension of the Hal Mumme/Mike Leach coaching tree, thus he runs a similar offense. A pass-oriented version of the spread, known as the Air Raid. Dawson will call plays although the offense will rely on audibling by the Quarterback. It is expected the offense will pass at least 70% of the time. It is centered on West Coast passing philosophies, with short passes and mixing routes to keep defenses guessing.
Star Power: The star last year was the record-breaking receiver
Daryl Collins. Collins was undersized but caught everything that was thrown to him, catching 93 balls and wants to build off last year's success. The passing game struggled to start the season, but was clicking by the time the team beat Vanderbilt and Tennessee last year. The play of Collins and other receivers like playmaker and field-stretcher
DeMarco Robinson will be key if the passing game takes the next step. The team only completed 50% of those 555 passing attempts, which led the SEC in attempts but were toward the bottom in completion percentage. A lot of that will be on the backs of players like Collins and Robinson to step up like last year.
Impact Newcomers: The only new starter 'actually' started five games last season,
Tyler Davenport. He starts this year at right tackle and he started games at guard last year and in place of
Darrian Miller at left tackle. So Davenport has seen time but is the only new starter among the offense. Davenport is a senior, and one of eight seniors on the offense. Seven of which (all but back-up
Maxwell Smith) are starters, so the offense is relatively experienced. That could be crucial to their success this season.
Keep An Eye On: The emergence of
Patrick Towles. He is being compared to Ben Roethlisberger, another strong-armed slinger with under-rated athleticism. Towles showed some of his running ability last season; but the coaches have given him more control of the offense, allowing him to run the ball more. Towles works well out of the pocket and can make good throws on the run as well. His high IQ and understanding of the offense allow him to make throws other Quarterbacks on the roster simply cannot make. He is quickly gaining the attention of NFL scouts, who think Towles might have a future after UK. His pedigree, ability and big arm have already been on display - this year, he has to show he can win while limiting his mistakes.
Strongest Area: The receiving core, without a doubt. Beyond the star power at the top with Collins and Robinson, the depth of the unit is its' strength. Returning starter
A.J. Legree had a big Spring Game (two touchdown catches) and shows he can make highlight reel catches. He is expected to see more targets this year and will have an expanded role in the offense.
Ronnie Shields was a Mackey Award finalist after a tremendous season. His 80 receptions were a UK record for a tight end, and he also led the team with 11 touchdowns. He was a big target in the redzone, but also broke some big plays as well. If he can come close to the season he had last year, it will be a big end to a great career in Lexington. Beyond the starters,
DeAngelo Yancey is expected to see some time on the field, possibly in four receiver sets. He will split time as the team's fourth receiver with JUCO transfer
Danny Hurd. Hurd is a slot receiver with great hands and a phenomenal work ethic. Both players will have roles in the offense, as does tight end
Darren Dowdell.
Biggest Problem: The offensive line remains a concern, mainly because they allowed 3.5 sacks per game last year. That number has to drop and they also have to do a better job run blocking. While the team does not always run the football, the line has to do a better job of opening up holes for team captain
Josh Clemons. With Raymond Sanders graduating, Clemons will see the bulk of the carries this season (split last year). A tough runner that can pull off the big play and also be a work horse.
Justin Taylor will come in at times, and could be a situational back for the Wildcats. The coaching staff, including Shannon Dawson, said the running game will be more integral. So more pressure on the o-line, that is returning four starters. Injuries last year hurt the line, and showed the unit still lacks depth. The interior of the line could be interchangeable, outside of center
Zach Myers. Myers moved over to center last year and impressed as the anchor of the line. He must cut down on the sacks (team high 11), but he is by far the team's best run blocker. Both guards will be playing for their jobs early in the season;
Zach West and
Teven Eatmon Nared return as starters but aren't guaranteed to hold those spots. West especially, who just beat out
Allen West (no relation) to hold onto his job. Allen is the bigger player and is natural as a pass-blocker, but Zach will be given the first shot. So the interior at least has some depth, while the tackle spots have untested, younger players behind the starters. An improvement by the line might come hand-in-hand with a big season for what could be a prolific offense.
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Defense
Returning Starters: 8
The Scheme: Kirby Smart has been installing a 3-4 defense that will be the base. Mixing blitz packages and keeping players fresh with constant rotations, it is expected to be a defense that makes plays and dictates the pace of the game. Smart has coached numerous top ten defenses nationally and Kentucky saw a big leap in their first year under his guidance.
Star Power: The core of linebackers is led by three seniors who can make plays and rack up tackles. It starts with
Miles Simpson, who has been the team's Defensive Player of the Year in the last 'two' seasons. He is the team's returning leader in tackles. The coaching staff loves that he has improved every season and now is entering his third year as a starter, not having missed a game over the last two years. Besides the reliably hard-hitting Simpson are two players in the middle that want to lead this UK defense.
Tre Dunn is a former running back with standout athletic ability and now he has a grasp of the defense. The staff has been tough on Dunn, not wanting him to disappear like he did at time last year. Next to him, replacing former Team Captain Avery Williamson is
Tyler Brause. Brause came to Kentucky as a Quarterback and he has the obvious asset of being able to read opposing offenses. A smart player that has bulked up and worked his way onto the field, he is expecting a big season out of himself.
Impact Newcomers: Last year's big coup-of-a-transfer and scout team player of the year
Landon Collins is ready to show off his ability. His recruitment out of high school was widely covered (even spawned a viral video from the announcement) since he was a consensus blue chip prospect. He has three years of eligibility remaining and is ready to show why he was the jewel of Alabama's 2012 Recruiting Class. He has blazing speed (4.3 40 Time) and is strong, just an athlete unlike any other on the roster. The staff is excited to get him on the field and plans to have him all over the place, making plays on Saturdays.
Keep An Eye On: New starters on the defensive line. The only returning starter is Team Captain
Alvin Dupree. A hybrid player that bulked up and learned how to play end in Smart's scheme, he is a hard working player with meticulous fundamentals. He has the athleticism to make the big plays, and must now trust his ability to do so. His production last year was under-whelming, but now he is the star of the line. At the other end spot is another Alvin,
Alvin Davis. Defensive Line Coach Chris Rumph has joked about having to Alvins starting, saying he hopes opposing Quarterbacks are seeing double in the backfield. Davis is strong and can set the edge, but also has the agility and footwork to disrupt plays. Inside, there are questions on who can fill the (big) shoes left by Mister Cobble. So far,
Thomas Chapman has stepped up. Chapman comes from Manual High School in Louisville and was one of the best recruits from the state of Kentucky in 2012. Since arriving on campus, he has been a gym rat and his strength and technique are what took him to the top of the depth chart. Behind him,
Farrington Hugeunin and his blend of size and speed make him a situational player, mostly on passing downs.
Christian Coleman has bulked up more and more since being a Wildcat, but the now bigger Coleman must make less mistakes when called upon. He has the potential to be a special player in his last two years in Lexington.
Strongest Area: The depth across the board, especially in the linebacking core and secondary. The secondary returns all four starters, but gets a new starter in Landon Collins. That pushed
Zach Blaylock out of a starting spot, after starting every game at free safety last year. Ahead of him is
Ashley Lowery, who moved over from strong safety and barely beat out Blaylock to start. Lowery is the better tackler and must improve in coverage; yet on passing plays many expect to see Blaylock. Senior
Glenn Faulkner will see a lot of time in prevent defense and on special teams. He is a rangy player that can make plays on the ball and works well defending in space. So the safety position is deep and has players with different skills that will find their way onto the field. As for the corner spots,
Eric Simmons finished the season strong and is a smart player that doesn't make many mistakes. The big plays came from
Cody Quinn, who rocketed up the depth chart and has become a playmaker as well as a physical corner that frustrated opposing receivers. The depth at linebacker is also strong, with versatile players that will see the field. Led by a special teams stud,
Malcolm McDuffen. McDuffen was almost named the starter, but the uber-athletic
Khalid Henderson did not give up his starting spot. Another senior who is not starting at linebacker is
Kory Brown, another special teams stud that is also strong in coverage and will be on the defense in long passing downs. Overall, the strength of the defense might be in its' versatility and having pieces that can do certain things very well.
Biggest Problem: A multitude of unanswered questions: Can they get to the Quarterback? Can they cause turnovers? Can they keep pace with SEC offenses? Even with improved talent and eight returning starters, can they improve over last year's squad? Also, there are some questions about the future with 11 seniors on the defense and seven of them being starters. They are looking for younger players to step up and for upperclassman to have big seasons.
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Special Teams
The Special Teams unit, coached by Jeff Hammerschmidt, saw a big improvement from the previous season. Mr. Do-Everything
Landon Foster started the year just as the team's punter and was sharing kickoff duties. By the end of the season, he was doing kickoffs, field goals, extra points, and punts. He made 16 of 19 field goal attempts, connecting on a long of 47 yards. He also did not miss an extra point and averaged 40 yards a punt, and putting a third of his punts inside the 20. A big season has made him a favorite to put on Pre-Season All-Conference lists and now he gets to just focus on punts. True freshman
Mike Hale comes from a small town in Iowa and was a soccer player that made his varsity football team. He even hit a 50 yard field goal for his high school team. Hale has a big leg and might leave extra points to Foster, at least early in the year. Hale has impressed enough to get kickoff duties as well. In terms of the return game, it does need to improve. DeMarco Robinson will be the team's kick and punt returner to start the season, although some players are competing for the chance. Robinson's 26 yard average per kick return was a team high, but he showed little ability in punt returns. Look for another true freshman,
Scott Hinds, a track star and decorated running back, to potentially take over the punt return duties.
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Report Card: Overall - B // Offense - B+ // Defense - B // Special Teams - B+
