Head coach Rich Brooks, offensive coordinator Joker Phillips, offensive lineman Michael Aitcheson, center Matt McCutchan, and defensive end Durrell White are scheduled to participate in the inaugural IntaJuice North-South All-Star Classic on Jan. 13 in Houston.
Brooks and Phillips will guide the offense for the North team. The players? team assignments have not been made as of this writing.
The Wildcats are coming off an 8-5 season, capped by a win over Clemson in the Gaylord Hotels Music City Bowl. Aitcheson was a two-year starter in the offensive line and earned second-team All-Southeastern Conference honors as a senior. McCutchan was a three-year regular at center, twice being named SEC Offensive Lineman of the Week during his career. White was a four-year starter, totaling 153 tackles as a Wildcat, including 22.5 tackles for loss.
Complete ?All-Mayday Team? Released: ESPN has released its annual ?All-Mayday Team? for the 2006 season, including Kentucky defensive tackle Lamar Mills, for players who have shown extraordinary toughness and determination during their collegiate careers.
The team was being compiled by Mark May and Brett Edgerton of ESPN and the players have been featured during ESPN?s bowl coverage.
Mills was selected in recognition of not only physical toughness but also mental and spiritual toughness in the face of a double dose of adversity.
In the 2005 season opener, Mills made a career-high eight tackles vs. Louisville, but suffered a torn ACL knee injury near the end of the game, forcing him to miss the remainder of the season. In the same week, his family’s home in Slidell, La., was devastated by Hurricane Katrina.
Having already completed his bachelor’s degree in only three years, it would have been easy for Lamar to walk away from football. However, he decided to stay the course and play his final season. Everyone associated with Kentucky football marveled at Lamar’s grace and courage under adversity; he never complained, and in fact, kept a very positive attitude and inspired his teammates and friends with his attitude and deep personal faith.
After staying in Lamar’s apartment temporarily, his family decided to return to Louisiana, stick it out, and rebuild their devastated home. Lamar went through a long and painful rehabilitation, not returning to the football field until August of 2006. Lamar’s teammates were so inspired that they elected him permanent team captain for the 2006 season. He reclaimed his starting job at defensive tackle and helped lead the Wildcats to their first bowl game in seven years. In addition, he completed his master’s degree in December from UK’s Patterson School of Diplomacy and International Commerce, a very prestigious graduate school.
Here is the full 2006 All-Mayday Team: Head Coach: Joe Paterno
OFFENSE
QB – Brian Brohm, Louisville
WR – Kenneth Brantley II, Bowling Green
WR – Mike Walker, UCF
TE – Luke Smith-Anderson, Idaho
OL – Robby D?Angelo, Southern Miss
OL – Kyle DeVan, Oregon St.
OL – Doug Free, Northern Illinois
OL – Tony Hills, Texas
OL – Ken Shackleford, Georgia
RB – George Bell, Virginia Tech
FB – Mike Viti, Army
Slot – Zerbin Singleton, Navy
DEFENSE
DL – Justin Harrell, Tennessee
DL – Ray McDonald, Florida
DL – Lamar Mills, Kentucky
LB – H.B. Blades, Pittsburgh
LB – Dan Connor, Penn St.
LB – Donta Moore, Connecticut
LB – Thaddaeus Washington, Colorado
DB – Josh Barrett, Arizona St.
DB – Andray Downs, Rice
DB – Bryan Heinz, Northwestern
DB – Marcus Watts, Kansas St.
SPECIAL TEAMS
K – Sergio Aguayo, UNLV
P – Daniel Sepulveda, Baylor
