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A few good men: Cats' top gainers
Position-by-position wrap-up from spring
By Chip CosbyHERALD-LEADER STAFF WRITER
Now that Kentucky has completed spring practice, here's a position-by-position wrap-up and look ahead to fall camp in August.
These evaluations are based on coaches' comments and observations through spring practice and not just on Saturday's Blue-White Spring Game.
Quarterbacks
Biggest gainer: Will Fidler
Summary: Neither Curtis Pulley nor Mike Hartline secured the No. 1 job, but Fidler put himself back in the mix by showing that he's on the way back from off-season shoulder surgery.
The competition should be even more heated in the fall. Don't rule out a freshman, particularly Randall Cobb, making a push.
Running backs
Biggest gainer: Moncell Allen
Summary: Tony Dixon missed the last part of fall camp with a knee injury, but Derrick Locke, Alfonso Smith and Allen held down the fort for the UK running game. Allen came in somewhat of an unknown commodity after breaking his thumb in fall camp last year, but the 5-foot-7, 225-pounder showed in spring that he'll find a way to get carries in the Cats' four-tailback rotation.
John Conner has solidified the fullback spot, while A.J. Nance moved over from linebacker to provide depth.
Wide receivers
Biggest gainer: E.J. Adams
Summary: This unit was the sore spot of the spring. Nobody set the world on fire, and that included veteran Dicky Lyons Jr. Adams, a junior who switched to receiver from cornerback at the start of spring, made several big plays in UK's first scrimmage and looked like the best candidate to provide help to Lyons and the injured DeMoreo Ford. Adams was less than 100 percent for the Blue-White Game because of whiplash from a minor car accident on Thursday.
Tight ends
Biggest gainer: T.C. Drake
Summary: This unit has a chance to be a pleasant surprise despite the loss of Jacob Tamme. Both Drake and junior Ross Bogue showed the ability to be receiving threats, and their blocking ability should help the perimeter running game as well.
Junior Maurice Grinter should provide another target when he returns to full-contact in the fall.
Offensive line
Biggest gainer: Stuart Hines
Summary: Hines redshirted last fall but is pushing senior Jess Beets for the starting right guard job. The rest of the line appears set with Garry Williams at left tackle, Zipp Duncan at left guard, Jorge Gonzalez at center and Justin Jeffries at right tackle.
The battle for the three backup spots should be intense, with Brad Durham, James Alexander, Christian Johnson and Hines/Beets fighting for time.
Defensive line
Biggest gainer: Ventrell Jenkins
Summary: Jenkins moved outside from tackle and showed enough explosion and pass-rush ability to play the position full-time alongside Jeremy Jarmon.
The end position will get a big boost if Nii Adjei Oninku (knee surgery) can get back to 100 percent by fall.
The same goes for tackle, where a solid rotation would get even better if Ricky Lumpkin recovers from recent hip surgery.
Linebackers
Biggest gainer: Braxton Kelley
Summary: Kelley made a smooth transition from the middle to the weakside in the spring and hopes to replace some of the big plays that were lost with the departure of Wesley Woodyard. Kelley still must get more comfortable in pass coverage, though. In addition to looking leaner and faster, junior Micah Johnson looks ready to handle the middle linebacker duties full-time. Johnny Williams and Sam Maxwell are a solid 1-2 punch on the strongside.
Secondary
Biggest gainer: Matt Lentz
Summary: This was the most experienced unit on the team coming in, and they pretty much had their way with the inexperienced wideouts. The big surprise was Lentz, who made an easy move from quarterback to safety. Lentz showed he's a big hitter who anticipates well who also had an interception in the Blue-White Game.
Special teams
Biggest gainer: None
Summary: While returning punter Tim Masthay and returning kicker Lones Seiber are still at the top of the depth chart, both will have to perform well in the fall to hold off redshirt freshman Ryan Tydlacka, who's challenging for both jobs.
The Wildcats used various return men in the spring and will get closer to narrowing that down in August.
Brooks optimistic about Lumpkin
Brooks announced tthat defensive tackle Ricky Lumpkin had surgery on Thursday to remove a calcium deposit from his right femur (thigh bone).
"It will be determined probably in the next six (or) seven weeks what his availability, if any, will be for fall camp," Brooks said. "At this point, I'm optimistic that he will be (available)."
Lumpkin played in seven games last season as a redshirt freshman, missing five because of the condition that eventually required the surgery. He totaled 18 tackles, two tackles for loss, one quarterback sack, and one fumble recovery.
Keightley, Lyden honored
Kentucky diving coach Mike Lyden and longtime men's basketball equipment manager Bill Keightley, each of whom passed away recently, were honored with helmet stickers during Saturday's Blue-White Game.
The stickers were black ovals with blue and white lettering -- "Mr. Wildcat" in tribute to Keightley and "Iron Mike" in recognition of Lyden.
Viera promoting book
Former UK linebacker Miguel Viera will be in Lexington on Friday, April 25, to promote his new book, Walking on Higher Ground and Awakening the Spirit Within: A Christian Student-Athlete's Spiritual Journey Through the Doors of College and Beyond.
Viera lettered at UK from 1994-97. He and his wife, Tiffany, and their son, Mason, live in Jamestown, N.C., where Viera is an accountant and also serves as a deacon at the Friendly Avenue Baptist Church. Viera will be appearing at Joseph-Beth Booksellers and Barnes and Noble.