Feb. 11, 2011
LEXINGTON, Ky. – Kentucky assistant coach Tee Martin has been recognized by Rivals.com as one of the nation’s top-25 recruiters for the 2011 recruiting class.
Here’s the analysis written by the Rivals.com recruiting staff:
“Buzz: Recruiting at Kentucky for his first year, Martin killed it for the Wildcats landing four-star defensive back Glenn Faulkner from Illinois as well as a ton of three stars. He also landed Eric Dixon and Rashad Cunningham from South Alabama, where he is from, and helped sway wide receiver Daryl Collins from Alabama on signing day. He was also the primary recruiter for Demarco Robinson, Nile Daniel and Theltus Cobbins, and has already earned a promotion in title and a contract extension for his efforts. Not a bad first year.”
Having joined Kentucky in January, 2010, Martin made an immediate impact on and off the field in his first year on the staff. On the field, senior Chris Matthews and junior Randall Cobb had the most productive seasons of their careers. Cobb was named first-team All-America after catching 84 passes for 1,017 yards and seven touchdowns and also rushing for 424 yards and five TDs out of the “WildCobb” formation. Matthews snagged 61 balls for 925 yards, tying for the SEC lead with nine touchdown receptions, and received second-team All-SEC honors.
Recognizing his performance and the interest he was receiving from rival schools, UK Director of Athletics Mitch Barnhart and Coach Joker Phillips rewarded Martin with a contract extension and the title of passing game coordinator on Jan. 29.
Eight Wildcats Named “All-Commonwealth”: Eight Kentucky Wildcats were named to the inaugural “All-Commonwealth Team” as sponsored by the Kentucky chapter of the National Football League Alumni Association.
The “All-Commonwealth Team” recognizes players from every college football team in Kentucky, including all classifications. In addition to UK, this year’s team features players from Murray State, Louisville, Union, Western Kentucky, Eastern Kentucky, Georgetown and Campbellsville.
UK was represented by wide receiver Randall Cobb, tailback Derrick Locke, quarterback Mike Hartline, offensive guard Larry Warford, linebacker Danny Trevathan, safety Winston Guy and punter Ryan Tydlacka. Wide receiver Chris Matthews was an honorable-mention selection.
The selection committee included representatives from the Kentucky NFL Alumni and Kentucky media.
Michaels Named to Kentucky NFL Hall of Fame: Former Kentucky Wildcat Lou Michaels has been named to the Kentucky Chapter of the National Football League Players Association Hall of Fame.
Michaels will be one of five players inducted into the Hall of Fame, which recognizes NFL standouts who played their college football in the commonwealth of Kentucky.
Michaels was as an offensive lineman, defensive lineman and kicker at UK from 1955-57, earning first-team All-America honors as a junior and senior. He went on to a 13-year NFL career as a defensive end and kicker, playing for the Los Angeles Rams (1958-60), Pittsburgh Steelers (1961-63), Baltimore Colts (1964-69) and Green Bay Packers (1971). Michaels was selected to the Pro Bowl after the 1962 and ’63 seasons.
The Kentucky Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony will be June 24 at the Lexington Opera House. Joining Michaels in the class are Dale Lindsey (Western Kentucky/Cleveland Browns), Rod Hill (Kentucky State/Dallas Cowboys), Phil Simms (Morehead/New York Giants) and Kerry Rhodes (Louisville/Arizona Cardinals).
Locke, Cobb Invited to the NFL Combine: Kentucky senior tailback Derrick Locke and junior wide receiver Randall Cobb have been invited to the National Football League scouting combine, set for Feb. 24 through March 1 in Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
Locke rushed for 2,618 yards during his Kentucky career, sixth in Wildcat history, with 22 touchdowns. He also proved himself as a capable pass receiver with 95 career receptions. His exceptional speed (under 4.3 seconds in the 40-yard dash) comes on special display on kickoff returns, as he set the UK career record with an average of 27.1 yards per return, including a pair of 100-yard touchdown runbacks.
Cobb will exhibit his all-around playmaking ability which made him an outstanding pass catcher, rusher, quarterback, punt returner and kickoff returner. Although he played only three years, Cobb set the UK career touchdown record with 37 and is fourth in career all-purpose yardage. Cobb’s monster junior season featured an SEC-record 2,396 all-purpose yards and first-team All-America honors.
More than 300 top prospects were invited to the NFL combine, which plays a key role in evaluating players’ professional potential. The event will be televised on the NFL Network and also can be followed on NFL.com.
