UK Football Preview- Wide Receivers

Players Lost: Kyrus Lanxter, Eric Adeyemi

Players Returning: Chris Matthews, Randall Cobb, Matt Roark, Gene McCaskill, E.J. Fields, Aaron Boyd, LaRod King, Brian Adams

Incoming Freshmen: none, but Jerrell Priester and Raymond Sanders could potentially line up in the slot.  At this point, Sanders is the most likely to do so based on camp feedback. 

Overview

The 2010 edition of receivers at UK should be much improved.  The past couple of seasons have been tough on the receivers.  Now the unit has “grown up” and ready to open things up in 2010.  The unit took a blow during the first scrimmage as Gene McCaskill tore his ACL and will miss the season.  McCaskill, No 3 on the depth chart, will redshirt this fall. 

The playmaker of the unit is Randall Cobb, however the Cats must stretch the field in 2010.  Chris Matthews is poised for a monster season and should provide the punch the Cats need down field.  If Matthews is able to become a deep threat, it will open up the middle for Randall Cobb.  While the Cats love to use Cobb in the “Wildcat” formation, it’s not always the ideal situation.

Hopefully E.J. Fields can stay healthy, as the staff expects big things from him.  Fields came up with a touchdown during the spring game.  Aaron Boyd returns after redshirting his sophomore year.  Many people still feel Boyd can contribute if he dedicates himself 100%. With McCaskill out, look for LaRod King to become the No 3 receiver.  King saw significant action as a true freshmen and is ready to take the next step. 

The one player everyone is excited to see on the football field is Brian Adams.  The former quarterback and baseball star is the fastest receiver on the team.  Adams sat out last season for health reasons, but is ready to contribute this fall.  The Cats also return Matt Roark, who has become a key player on special teams.  Roark has seen action at wide receiver, but appears to be buried in the rotation.  The Cats have several former high school quarterbacks playing wide receiver, so could the staff pull a little trickery this season?