Five UK football players you know — and five you will know

Five players you know

Boom Williams: Kentucky’s offense too often looked one-dimensional without its top weapon, who set a school record in yards per carry last season (7.1). Junior needs to have a big season to make Cats’ offense go.

C.J. Conrad: With just 15 catches for 149 yards and one touchdown, coaches admitted that the tight end wasn’t utilized enough in UK’s offense last season. Don’t expect that to happen this season.

Chris Westry: Put up big numbers as a true freshman, including leading team in pass breakups with eight while amassing 36 tackles, a sack and two interceptions. Those numbers should only go up with a year of experience and added bulk.

Dorian Baker: Despite some immaturity and inconsistency last season, junior still led UK in catches (55) and touchdowns (three) and became a matchup nightmare for opponents. An offseason attitude adjustment should make him even more formidable.

Matt Elam: Junior was called in to replace starter Melvin Lewis late in the season and his inexperience and lack of conditioning often showed. His body has had a dramatic offseason transformation, which could help him anchor an unproven defensive line.

Five players you will know

Drew Barker: Quarterback best known for his mistakes off the field has a chance to change his brand with improved play on the field. He was named a starter out of the spring game and by all accounts has done everything asked of him since then.

Mike Edwards: Seized the starting safety spot with five games left to play last season and hasn’t looked back, with Coach Mark Stoops saying he’s perhaps the defense’s best player.

Courtney Love: Undisputed vocal team leader for the defense without ever playing a down of football in a UK jersey. Transfer middle linebacker from Nebraska will be counted on to lead a young, inexperienced front seven.

Eli Brown: Four-star linebacker from Warren East was a conditional redshirt last season, which meant he got to learn the defense instead of the scout team while also adding bulk and getting his injured knee back to 100 percent.

Greg Hart: While much has been made about fellow tight end C.J. Conrad, this Nebraska transfer might be just as good. Don’t be surprised to see both players in the game at the same time this season.

This story was originally published August 29, 2016 at 11:09 AM with the headline "Five UK football players you know — and five you will know."