April 14, 1998

University of Kentucky football player James Whalen Jr., has switched from wide receiver to tight end this spring to backup tight end starter Jimmy Haley.

Whalen, a 6-4, 219-pound junior from Portland, Oregon, saw action at wide receiver last fall for the Wildcats but due to the lack of depth in the tight end position Coach Hal Mumme decided to try Whalen at that spot. “Coach Mumme thought it would be a good place for me and I wanted to help the team, so I switched to tight end, ” Whalen said. “I have a lot of fundamentals to work on but I have definitely found my niche.”

Tight ends coach Mike Fanoga has also been impressed with Whalen’s improvement and attitude this spring. Whalen caught seven passes for 91 yards and a touchdown in last Saturday’s scrimmage. “He had a great scrimmage last Saturday and we were impressed that he caught about everything that was thrown to him,” Fanoga said. “He’s tall so Tim (Couch) can see him and he’s got good speed. We expect him to really come on in the fall.”

The Wildcats will practice again on Wednesday, April 15 and Friday, April 17 at 2:20 p.m. at the Nutter Training Center. The team’s next scrimmage will be Saturday, April 18 at 11 a.m., at Commonwealth Stadium.