UK notes: Warford playing hurt and great

By Chip Cosby / ccosby@herald-leader.com

Paul Warford went into last Saturday's Auburn game expecting to play about 20-25 snaps. Not only did he end up playing every down on defense, but he also had the game of his life.

Warford started Kentucky's first three games at cornerback but missed the next two with a quadriceps injury, and Coach Rich Brooks planned to use him in a limited role off the bench. But when freshman Martavious Neloms took ill the night before the game, Warford was thrust back into the starting lineup. He was credited with six tackles and a career-high four pass breakups. Warford probably would have had an interception but collided with linebacker Danny Trevathan.

"We thought he was about 70 percent but, when we found out Neloms was sick on the elevator coming down for the pre-game meal, (trainer) Jim (Madaleno) told him, 'Looks like you're 100 percent,' " Brooks said. "It was a remarkable performance. Paul played a great football game, probably the best game since he's been here, and coming off an injury makes it more impressive."

Warford's quad still isn't 100 percent, and it flared up again in practice this week. But he was more than glad to get back into the flow at Auburn, and he will be in the starting lineup again for the Louisiana-Monroe game.

"It's bothering me a little bit, but I missed the Florida and Alabama games, the two biggest games of the year, so I was ready to go," Warford said.

UK's other starting corner, senior Trevard Lindley, could return next week against Mississippi State from a high-ankle sprain.

"I knew they needed me last week with Trevard still out and Tay (Neloms) sick," Warford said. "Once we get Trevard back, we should be in good shape."

Georgia DE commits to Kentucky

UK picked up its 14th commitment for its 2010 class when Alvin Davis, a 6-foot-4, 225-pound defensive end from Jesup, Ga., told head coach for offense Joker Phillips that he planned to sign with Kentucky in February.

Davis also had offers from Mississippi State, Southern Mississippi, Valdosta State and Western Kentucky. Davis is unranked by Rivals.com and Scout.com.

Kentucky's other known commitments for next February: junior-college defensive backs Mychal Bailey and Josh Gibbs; Ohio teammates Tyler Brause (QB) and Teven Eatmon (TE/OL), Alabama defensive back Davin Hawkins; South Carolina defensive end Justin Henderson; Georgia kicker Joseph Mansour; Tennessee defensive tackle Tim McAdoo; Hopkinsville linebacker Malcolm McDuffen; Tennessee tight end Tyler Robinson; Georgia running back Raymond Sanders; Georgia defensive back Eric Simmons; and Alabama athlete Ryan Smith.

Big Blue Meter

Kentucky's second season starts Saturday night. Louisiana-Monroe represents the first of three consecutive winnable home games, and the Cats could get on a roll down the stretch. But first things first: ULM is no slouch. The Wildcats figure to have a battle on their hands and could get knocked off if they come out sleepwalking. Look for Brooks to try to get the Kentucky passing game untracked with new quarterback Morgan Newton.