EricArling

Got excellent experience during the spring, receiving the majority of the practice repetitions when Derek Smith and Chase Harp were sidelined by injuries ? Slated as the backup tight end behind Smith, who is an All-SEC performer ? Showed good hands and mobility last season as a freshman ? Caught a touchdown pass in the Blue/White Spring Game ? Has played in 11 games.

2000 (Freshman): Played in all 11 games as a reserve tight end and on special teams ? Had one catch for 10 yards at Florida ? Received his first varsity letter.High School: Fine athlete who showed the speed and hands necessary for a tight end in the Kentucky passing offense ? Two-year starter for St. Xavier High School in Cincinnati, helping his team to a state runner-up finish as a junior and to the regional finals as a senior ? Named All-Midwest Region by PrepStar and was chosen one of the top 110 prospects in the Midwest by SuperPrep and the Prep Football Report ? Named All-Metro Cincinnati and to the All-Greater Catholic League teams as a senior after catching 25 passes for 440 yards, a 17.6-yard average, and seven touchdowns ? Caught 16 passes for 231 yards, a 14.4 average, and two touchdowns as a junior ? his first season of high school football ? Coached by Steve Rasso ? Three-year letterman in baseball and two-year letterman in basketball who gave up those sports his senior year to concentrate on football ? Played left field and was a two-year pick on the All-Greater Catholic League team ? Helped lead his team to the league championship two years ? Active in community service, participating in the ?Big Brothers? mentor program two years ? Comes from an athletic family ? His brother, Jayson, plays quarterback for Dayton and will be a senior in the 2001 season ? His sister, Stephanie, played soccer at Dayton ? Chose Kentucky over Georgia Tech, Boston College, and UCLA.

Personal: Full name is Eric Michael Arling ? Born 9-22-81 in Cincinnati ? Son of Walt and Michelle Arling ? Major is undeclared.

The Cats? Cause: Helped work the UK Hospital ?Breakfast With Santa? (2000).

Arling Career Statistics

YearPositionG-GSRec.Yds.Avg. TDLong2000Tight End11-011010.0010