Wildcats
Class Analysis:
Top Impact
Players:
Underrated:
Despite the fact that UK went 2-10 (0-8 SEC), Coach Stoops has put together an impressive class headlined by the massive four star DT Matt Elam.
On the offensive side of the ball, the Wildcats looks to bring in a good bit of talent in the passing game, by bringing in four star QB Drew Barker, as well as a ton of talented WR’s led by four star Thaddeus Snodgrass.
More noticeable than the offensive recruits is what Stoops is doing to upgrade one of the worst defenses in the SEC. He will be bringing in a ton of defensive talent on the back seven. Other than Elam, Kentucky has one of the more intriguing prospects in three star DT Cory Johnson, as well four star DE Denzel Ware.
While I don’t expect that this group will help Kentucky pull an Auburn type turnaround, UK will start becoming more competitive in the SEC, and these players will be the start.
Matt Elam is a massive get for Coach Stoops, no pun intended, and given that UK doesn’t have much talent on the defensive side, Matt Elam is a very good candidate for playing time. The only reason that he is not higher in this list is that he could benefit by redshirting and working with the Wildcats Strength and Conditioning coach to lose some of his bad weight.
While Kentucky has two QB’s in Jalen Whitlow, and Maxwell Smith, Barker is a very good candidate for early play time. He has the prototypical build for a quarterback and has a good amount of arm strength and good decision making. Considering that coach Stoops wants to put in an Air-Raid system, it strengthens Barker’s case for playing early.
Thaddeus Snodgrass is a WR that committed to UK early in the process, and as such, he never really got a whole lot of attention, but for coach Stoops, Snodgrass could be a top guy in the next few years. He has a long frame, which could use a little more bulk.
**video curtesy of Kentucky Wildcats TV