Cats eyeing 2 QBs from 2011 class

By Chip Cosby / Herald-Leader Staff Writer

Chip Cosby

The University of Kentucky might not be in the market for a quarterback in its 2010 class after signing Morgan Newton and Ryan Mossakowski in February, but it looks like the Wildcats will be active on the scene in 2011. Two of the nation's top quarterback prospects for the class of 2011 were on campus on May 31 for the Score 6 QB/WR Mini-Camp.

The quarterbacks who attended were DaMarcus Smith from Seneca in Louisville and Braxton Miller of Huber Heights, Ohio. Both will be juniors this fall. UK has offered a scholarship to Smith, a 6-foot-1 185-pounder who passed for 3,227 yards and 32 touchdowns while rushing for 457 yards as a sophomore. Smith also has offers from Louisville, Illinois, Purdue, Ohio and Western Kentucky and has fielded calls from Louisiana State, UCLA and Florida State.

Smith's recruitment should heat up over the next couple of years, particularly in Kentucky. Smith's mother, Daytonya Ward, said her son and entire family are Louisville fans, and the U of L coaching staff has identified Smith as a program-changing recruit.

"They're telling him that he's the player who can really get things turned around in a positive direction for them, and they think he's the kind of guy who can bring other players along with him," Ward said.

But Ward said UK has made a positive impression. In addition to attending the Score 6 Camp, Smith visited Lexington for the Western Kentucky game in September and is scheduled to be on campus again this weekend.

"They really rolled out the Big Blue carpet for us, and we loved it," Ward said. "We always had a misconception that UK fans were obnoxious, but they were great. They were just like us. They treated DaMarcus like a celebrity. Kentucky will definitely have a strong chance."

Smith has no plans to commit early; his mother said he likely will wait until his senior year. Smith enjoyed his visit to Illinois ("He got to meet Juice Williams, who's one of his favorites," Ward said) and might take a trip to UCLA.

"His dad lives in Miami and wants him to come play ball down there," Ward said. "And we've got family all over, East Coast to West Coast. He's such a nice kid and doesn't like turning anybody down. He's got so much pressure coming from so many different angles, but so far he's handling it well."

Miller has offers from Ohio State, Cincinnati, West Virginia, Michigan, Wisconsin and several others. The 6-foot-2 185-pounder was named the outstanding quarterback at the Score 6 camp, winning the long-ball competition with a throw that reportedly went 73 yards. He also won the fastest man award with a 40-yard dash time of 4.47.

Miller hasn't been offered a scholarship by Kentucky yet, but he told the Danville Advocate-Messenger that he plans to attend a UK home game this fall.

Jarmon to enter NFL supplemental draft

Former UK defensive end Jeremy Jarmon confirmed via text message Saturday that he will apply for the 2009 NFL Supplemental Draft and is in Nashville working out. The NCAA ruled Jarmon ineligible for his senior season after he tested positive for a banned substance.

UK Coach Rich Brooks told Catspause.com last week that Jarmon intended to enter the supplementary draft, which began in 1977 and is designed for players who have lost their collegiate eligibility.

All 32 teams have an opportunity to make a selection in the supplemental draft, but they then lose their pick in the corresponding round of the 2010 NFL Draft. The supplemental draft is done by e-mail in mid-July, with each team submitting to the league the name of the players it is interested in along with the round in which it would like to choose each one. The team that submits the highest bid is awarded rights to the player.

Magazines out

The first wave of pre-season magazines have hit the shelves. While none of the publications predict big things for the Cats in 2009, senior cornerback Trevard Lindley gets plenty of love. Lindley is rated as the nation's best corner by Lindy's and a first-team All-American by Athlon and Phil Steele's College Football Preview.