5 Questions for UK Football

The Cats have started spring football practice and while Joker Phillips is trying to put his finger prints all of the program, there are several questions that must be answered.  Here are the five key questions that must be answered this spring.  For more info on UK football, feel free to check out my blog (Aaron’s UK Football Blog) for the most up to date recruiting news.

1. Who’s going to be the quarterback?  The Cats have three options with Hartline, Newton and Mossakowski, the staff must have this down to two players by the end of spring.  It will be an interesting competition to watch as all three bring good things to table.  Hartline is the game manager, Newton won some big games as a true freshman and Mossakowski probably throws the best ball and fits UK’s offense bet. 
2. Who will replace Corey Peters?  The Cats don’t have anyone to replace Peters, but if they can get 80% of his production they will be fine.  Based on feedback and reports from camp, the job is Mister Cobble’s to lose.  Look for Mark Crawford and Shane McCord to see action as well, but Cobble is the guy.  The Cats have two big freshmen coming in June (Donte Rumph and Brice Laughlin), but it’s hard to imagine a true freshman having an impact on the defensive line. 
3. Who’s going to replace Micah Johnson and Sam Maxwell?  The Cats return Danny Trevathan as the lone starter from 2009.  Most people expect Qua Huzzie or Ronnie Sneed to start at middle linebacker.  I’ll give the edge to Huzzie and he appears to be faster and reports suggest the players feel Huzzie will get the nod.  The problem isn’t the inside, it’s the strong side linebacker position.  The Cats had moved Matt Lentz from safety to add speed and game experience, but Lentz had to give up football due to concussions.  Now it appears Jacob Dufrene and Ridge Wilson are battling for the starting spot.  The Cats have some incoming freshman arriving in June and of the group, Avery Williamson is the “most ready”.  Williamson could come in and compete from day one.  However, it’s a lot to expect a freshman to contribute so early. 
4. Can this offensive line get the job done?  The Cats lost four seniors to graduation (Duncan, Johnson, Jeffries, Gonzalez) and will try to build an offensive line this spring.  Priority number one is deciding on the starting center.  It appears to be a race between Matt Smith and Sam Simpson.  Smith has more game experience so I would give him the nod and Simpson should back him up.  Reports from camp suggest Simpson is cross-training to play guard as well.  It’s very important as the Cats are pretty thin on the offensive line. 
5. Can Moncell Allen really replace John Conner?  Joker thinks so and says the UK linebackers believe he can.  Conner was a huge part of UK’s success running the ball the past few seasons and will be missed.  Allen is missing spring practice to get healthy, so the Cats will work out Greg Meisner, Stephen Ball and Anthony Kendrick  at fullback.  Let’s hope Allen is 100% when fall camp rolls around.   

Here are a few links back to my site.  Thanks and GO CATS!

Chuck Smith Interview

Collins Moore (2011-WR) Update

Bengals work out former Cats

Dawson takes in Spring Practice

Q & A with UK’s Josh Gibbs

2010 Recruiting Rewind- Jerrell Preister

Practice like first Christmas for Huzzie

Bubba Tandy (2011-WR) Video and Update

Zack Templin (2011-OL) Update