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Joker Phillips and his staff just completed their second class as a staff. Again the coaches made themselves available for the post signing day press conference. Prior to Joker Philips being named head coach only the head coach and the recruiting coordinator were present at the presser. We get the impression the assistants were proud of the recruiting work they had accomplished. The fruits of the recruiting of player makers in this class should bear more quality playmakers. Last signing day Tee Martin was boasting of productive wide receiver prospects. It didn't reveals itself this past season perhaps because of misfortune - 1) Alabama de-commit Daryl Collins got injured in fall practice and was redshirted; 2) record setting Georgian Demarco Robinson did not quickly adjust to football at the next level; 3) Rashad Cunningham from Alabama was redshirted; 4) Nile Daniel did not academically predict; 5) and Josh Forrest was move to linebacker and was redshirted.
- The Wildcats had a good recruiting class committed but the last forty-eight hours prior to signing day made the class, by UK standards, an excellent class. Three players considered difference makers made up their minds to become Wildcats over that period. One of the signs that would give one the indication that UK's #31 class according to Scout.com, is the noise that normally would've come out of Louisville. They had a good class but they also know UK's class was comparable. Those players were running back Justin Taylor, Linebacker Khalid Henderson, and qb/ath Jalen Whitlow from Alabama class AAAAAA powerhouse Prattville. Whitlow 6-foot-3, 200-pounds has the ability to play multiple positions on offense and Phillips cautiously likened him to Randall Cobb.
- Offensive lineman Jordan Watson, who blocked for UK running back Josh Clemons was converged upon by Georgia Tech and Georgia at the last minute. Because of the relations Phillips and his staff develop with their recruits and families, the players are hard to shake loose from UK.
- Louisville Manual's defensive tackle Thomas Chapman is probably a sure bet to get into the rotation this fall. Rivals.com ranked Chapman the No. 30 DT and the No. 2 prospect in the state of Kentucky. It has been said that Chapman is ahead of Corey Peters at the same stage, which is tall cotton.
- The credits in the profile of junior college transfer defensive back Kory Brown appears to be endless. Brown has three years of eligibility remaining. Kentucky has been looking for a defensive that can make GAP (game altering plays) plays.
Timing
Some pundits might say that Alabama de-commit running back Justin Taylor is the headliner of this recruiting class. How did he wind up at Kentucky? Phillips said Tee Martin just hangs around, hangs around, hangs around and one falls off of one of the big time programs and he pounces. Alabama notified Taylor, who had a knee injury in September after having committed to Alabama back in the summer, his still scholarship stood and they want him but to gray-shirt. He was on campus two weeks ago before signing day)," Phillips said alluding to him being on campus for an academic contest. "He did not see many of our coaches. We got wind of him being on campus with an academic team. We invited him over. Coach Sanders, I think was the only coach he got to see along with Tyler Sargent. They showed him around the facility. Our trainers were able to check his knee out and feel really good about him being ready for June. Therefore we think hell come back and be ready to display his ability in fall camp as an SEC back. Hes not big, tall-wise but he is big and compact and thats what an SEC back looks like and better to be able withstand the blows he's going to take. Dyshawn (Mobley) is the same type of back thats big, physical and has the ability to make people miss in space. He said they reached out and touched people they know and was able to get the information they need to feel good about getting him and Taylor.
Phillips said they create a profile of what they are looking for in a student/athlete.and once they find that player the next thing is to create a relationship with the him and his family. This creates a bond that is hard to break and most of their commits remain solid until signing day.
The true headliner has to be quarterback Patrick Towles because that is the necessary ingredient to be a good team. Towles is big, agile, big arm, and good foot speed, all the things needed to play at the highest level in the SEC. ESPN football analyst Chris Collingsworth coached Towles at Fort Thomas Highlands has nothing but glowing things to say about Towles. Former UK Quarterback Jared Lorenzen also had a hand in Towles' development as a big time quarterback.
Modern day recruiting is in the era of judging the quality of a class based on recruiting service's rankings. That phenomenon cannot be completely ignored but Joker Phillips said he doesn't put much stock in it. He said they had fifteen of his recruits in his camps for each of two sessions and he puts a lot more faith in his coaches and their evaluation than an analyst watching a film and attaching stars to them.
Tee Martin
This is a big loss for Joker Phillips' staff. But a coach wants someone on their staff others want. We knew when Joker Phillips hired Martin that he was hot property. The Big Blue Nation should view that it being a plus to have had Martin for two recruiting classes. Those classes should start to show its worth this season. This was a great move for Martin's career. Southern Cal will undoubtedly be a challenger for the national championship this season and is loaded with good receivers.
- The Wildcats had a good recruiting class committed but the last forty-eight hours prior to signing day made the class, by UK standards, an excellent class. Three players considered difference makers made up their minds to become Wildcats over that period. One of the signs that would give one the indication that UK's #31 class according to Scout.com, is the noise that normally would've come out of Louisville. They had a good class but they also know UK's class was comparable. Those players were running back Justin Taylor, Linebacker Khalid Henderson, and qb/ath Jalen Whitlow from Alabama class AAAAAA powerhouse Prattville. Whitlow 6-foot-3, 200-pounds has the ability to play multiple positions on offense and Phillips cautiously likened him to Randall Cobb.
- Offensive lineman Jordan Watson, who blocked for UK running back Josh Clemons was converged upon by Georgia Tech and Georgia at the last minute. Because of the relations Phillips and his staff develop with their recruits and families, the players are hard to shake loose from UK.
- Louisville Manual's defensive tackle Thomas Chapman is probably a sure bet to get into the rotation this fall. Rivals.com ranked Chapman the No. 30 DT and the No. 2 prospect in the state of Kentucky. It has been said that Chapman is ahead of Corey Peters at the same stage, which is tall cotton.
- The credits in the profile of junior college transfer defensive back Kory Brown appears to be endless. Brown has three years of eligibility remaining. Kentucky has been looking for a defensive that can make GAP (game altering plays) plays.
Timing
Some pundits might say that Alabama de-commit running back Justin Taylor is the headliner of this recruiting class. How did he wind up at Kentucky? Phillips said Tee Martin just hangs around, hangs around, hangs around and one falls off of one of the big time programs and he pounces. Alabama notified Taylor, who had a knee injury in September after having committed to Alabama back in the summer, his still scholarship stood and they want him but to gray-shirt. He was on campus two weeks ago before signing day)," Phillips said alluding to him being on campus for an academic contest. "He did not see many of our coaches. We got wind of him being on campus with an academic team. We invited him over. Coach Sanders, I think was the only coach he got to see along with Tyler Sargent. They showed him around the facility. Our trainers were able to check his knee out and feel really good about him being ready for June. Therefore we think hell come back and be ready to display his ability in fall camp as an SEC back. Hes not big, tall-wise but he is big and compact and thats what an SEC back looks like and better to be able withstand the blows he's going to take. Dyshawn (Mobley) is the same type of back thats big, physical and has the ability to make people miss in space. He said they reached out and touched people they know and was able to get the information they need to feel good about getting him and Taylor.
Phillips said they create a profile of what they are looking for in a student/athlete.and once they find that player the next thing is to create a relationship with the him and his family. This creates a bond that is hard to break and most of their commits remain solid until signing day.
The true headliner has to be quarterback Patrick Towles because that is the necessary ingredient to be a good team. Towles is big, agile, big arm, and good foot speed, all the things needed to play at the highest level in the SEC. ESPN football analyst Chris Collingsworth coached Towles at Fort Thomas Highlands has nothing but glowing things to say about Towles. Former UK Quarterback Jared Lorenzen also had a hand in Towles' development as a big time quarterback.
Modern day recruiting is in the era of judging the quality of a class based on recruiting service's rankings. That phenomenon cannot be completely ignored but Joker Phillips said he doesn't put much stock in it. He said they had fifteen of his recruits in his camps for each of two sessions and he puts a lot more faith in his coaches and their evaluation than an analyst watching a film and attaching stars to them.
Tee Martin
This is a big loss for Joker Phillips' staff. But a coach wants someone on their staff others want. We knew when Joker Phillips hired Martin that he was hot property. The Big Blue Nation should view that it being a plus to have had Martin for two recruiting classes. Those classes should start to show its worth this season. This was a great move for Martin's career. Southern Cal will undoubtedly be a challenger for the national championship this season and is loaded with good receivers.
Wildcats Start Southeastern Conference Play
By: Lonny Demaree
Guest Columnist
Guest Columnist
