Kentucky Football Preview – Linebackers

Players Lost: Micah Johnson, Sam Maxwell, Matt Lentz (injury), Jordan Aumiller (position change) and Ryan Mosby (transfer)

Players Returning: Danny Trevathan, Ronnie Sneed, Jacob Dufrene, Ridge Wilson, Qua Huzzie and Greg Wilson

Incoming Freshmen: Avery Williamson, Jewell Ratliff and Malcolm McDuffen.

Overview

The 2010 edition of UK linebackers could be the fastest unit fans have ever seen on the field.  The Cats lost key players in Micah Johnson and Sam Maxwell to graduation, therefore the staff expects Danny Trevathan to step up and be the defensive leader.  Trevathan will start at the “Will” linebacker position and is poised for a breakout season.  Last year he suffered a hand injury which forced him to wear a cast for most of the season.   Trevathan has the ability to earn All-SEC honors if he plays to his potential.

Ronnie Sneed has been named the starting “Mike” linebacker. He was pushed all summer by Qua Huzzie.  Sneed has backed up Micah Johnson thus far in his career, but he is ready to show UK fans he is up for the challenge.  Qua Huzzie or “Quazilla” as we like to call him, will be hard to keep of the field this year.  Huzzie is very fast and attacks the ball carrier. Look for him to see a lot of action this fall. True freshman Avery Williamson has been competing and will see action on special teams.  Avery has the ability to play, but is still learning the system.

It appears Jacob Dufrene and Ridge Wilson are battling for the starting “Sam” linebacker position.  Dufrene is a senior and understands the system better than Wilson.  However, Wilson is more athletic and faster.  At this point, either could start, but my gut says the staff will go with experience at this time.  Wilson could unseat Dufrene at some point during the season and become the starter.

Jewell Ratliff will see action as a true freshman.  He will make his biggest impact on special teams, but similar to Williamson he will have a role in 2010.  Greg Wilson has moved from the secondary to play linebacker, but it appears he is buried on the depth chart.  The Cats suffered a blow on the depth chart this week when Ryan Mosby decided to transfer.  Expect true freshman Malcolm McDuffen to redshirt the 2010 season.

With UK losing Corey Peters, Micah Johnson and Sam Maxwell, teams are going to try to run between the tackles.  This group of linebackers must stop the run and make plays. The biggest concern appears to be at the “Sam” position.  Sam Maxwell made a ton of big plays in 2010 which will be hard to duplicate in 2011.  With this unit’s speed, they have a chance to be special and make big plays in 2010.