Spring Practice Overview

The Kentucky football team held 15 practices under new coach Hal Mumme and his staff as the team learned the new pass-oriented offense and 4-3 defensive scheme.

The team had four scrimmages during the spring, including the Blue-White Spring Football Game on April 26 in Commonwealth Stadium.

The Blue team, comprised mainly of the first-team offense and defense, defeated the second-team White squad 48-7. Quarterback Tim Couch completed 36 of 43 passes for 358 yards and four touchdowns. Halfback Anthony White scored four touchdowns, two each by rushing and pass receiving.

Checking the Position Changes

As one might expect with a new coaching staff and new offensive and defensive systems, there have been numerous position changes since the end of the 1996 season. Here are the position changes on the two-deep chart, along with some third-team players who are likely to see action.

Offense — Starting lineman Jonas Liening made the transition from RT to LT … David Berringer moved from guard to tackle and finished the spring No. 2 at LT … Jeremy Streck, who played LT and RG last season, has settled as the starter at LG … David De La Perralle played LG and LT last season and is now the backup at RG … Mike Webster moved from defensive tackle to offensive tackle and is the backup at RT.

Chad Spencer made a successful move from TE to WR and is in the rotation as the third-team “Z” … Craig Yeast and Norman Mason moved from WR to HB, which is a combination runner/receiver position. Yeast and Mason finished the spring No. 2 and 3, respectively at HB.

Defense — Five linebackers — Dele Ali, Miguel Viera, David Ginn, Anwar Stewart, and Lamont Smith — made the move to defensive end. Ali ended the spring as a starting end, Viera is No. 2, and Ginn and Stewart are third-teamers. The jury is still out on Smith’s move after his broken leg ended his spring practice early. He will return to the depth chart in August … Conversely, DEs John Rader and Filmore Wester switched to linebacker and finished the spring as backups at MLB and OLB, respectively … One of the best moves of the spring was Lee Wesley from FB to OLB, where he finished the spring as a starter … Another promising move was the switch of Matt Layow from TE to LB to DT; he finished the spring as a starting tackle.

Marlon McCree moved from SS to FS and ended the spring as the starter at FS … Dorion Berry is now the backup SS after moving from CB.

Roster Update (scholarship players only)

OT Lawrence Chamberlain, FB Michael Daies, and LB Tony Staten have chosen to leave the team. An updated alphabetical roster is included in this packet.

Injury Report

There was one significant injury during the spring. Senior DE Lamont Smith suffered a broken leg in the first spring scrimmage on April 5. He is expected to be fully healed for summer workouts.

Three other players — sophomore HB Craig Carter, sophomore LB Andy Dreisbach, and senior LB Andre’ Smith — missed the spring because of injuries but are expected to be available by August.

Letterman/Starter Update

Lettermen — 44 returning (19 offense, 23 defense, two specialists); 18 lost (eight offense, nine defense, one specialist).

Starters — 11 returning (seven offense, four defense) plus kicker Brian Johnson and punter Jimmy Carter; 11 lost (four offense, seven defense).

Position-by-position Update

Offensive line — The offensive line should be much improved with the return of all five starters. The working unit during the spring included four juniors, LT Jonas Liening, LG Jeremy Streck, C Jason Watts, and RT Kris Comstock, along with senior RG John Schlarman. Three returning lettermen and two redshirts give UK promising depth.

Offensive Backs — Sophomore QB Tim Couch had outstanding performances in spring practice. In the four spring scrimmages, Couch completed 166 of 218 passes for 1,713 yards, 11 touchdowns, and five interceptions. Redshirt freshman Ryan Keller played well in a backup role. Despite a couple of injuries, redshirt freshman Wendell Childs finished the spring No. 1 at fullback. Sophomore Anthony White, who can play both halfback and fullback, had an exceptional spring. He was the team’s leading rusher during the spring scrimmages with 220 yards and 7.9 yards per carry. Converted WRs Craig Yeast and Norman Mason also play halfback and will see significant action in the fall. Mason led the team in receptions during the spring with 36 catches while Yeast caught 22 balls.

Receivers — The new coaching staff was pleased by the play of the receivers and tight ends during the spring. In addition to the halfbacks, six players are likely to be in the rotation at the X, Y, and Z receiver slots. The contenders include Kevin Coleman (31 catches in the spring), Quentin McCord (26), Chad Spencer (25), Kio Sanford (18), Lance Mickelsen (13), and Marvin Love (9).

Defensive Line — Two converted linebackers — Dele Ali and Matt Layow — finished the spring as starters at end and tackle, respectively. They gave new defensive coordinator Mike Major the additional quickness needed in the new defensive scheme. Ali, in particular, spent much of the spring disrupting the opponent’s backfield. Tackle Marvin Major and end Anthony Watson complete the starting line. Mark Jacobs, a ’96 starter, and George Massey give UK excellent depth at tackle. Converted LB Lamont Smith missed most of the spring with a broken leg, but will be in the picture at end as a starter or top reserve.

Linebackers — Three new faces will comprise the starting lineup. Senior Bob Holmberg stepped up at MLB and Jeff Snedegar and Lee Wesley loom as the starters at OLB. Wesley was one of the pleasant developments of the spring after his move from fullback. Depth at LB is inexperienced, so avoiding injuries will be critical in this area.

Defensive Backs — Senior Littleton Ward retained his starting job at one cornerback. Tony Woods appeared to be recovered from the broken bone in his back that derailed his ’96 season; he won the other corner position. Senior Tremayne Martin stepped up at strong safety and played well. He had four interceptions during spring scrimmages. The free safety slot saw plenty of competition during the spring with Marlon McCree finishing No. 1. Depth is talented, but inexperienced except for junior FS Chris Ford.

Special Teams — Junior punter Jimmy Carter and senior kicker Brian Johnson retained their starting jobs. Senior Kio Sanford and junior Craig Yeast have handled punt and kickoff returns during their careers are will continue in those duties. Kick returns could be a team strength.

1997 Kentucky Post-Spring Practice Offensive Depth Chart

Tight End

Jimmy Haley, 6-3, 246, So-1L
Darrin Clark, 6-5, 245, Sr-2L
Cheddi Acham, 6-3, 198, So-Sq

Left Tackle

Jonas Liening, 6-8, 299, Jr-2L
David Berringer, 6-4, 281, Jr-2L
Cliff Bailey, 6-4, 276, Sr-Sq
Scott Mims, 6-5, 261, Fr-HS

Left Guard

Jeremy Streck, 6-5, 292, Fr-1L
Omar Smith, 6-3, 280, So-1L
Randy Garver, 6-5, 294, Fr-HS
James Farthing, 6-1, 250, Fr-RS

Center

Jason Watts, 6-3, 261, Jr-2L
Aaron Daniel, 6-3, 255, Fr-RS
Paul McGonagle, 6-4, 249, Jr-Sq

Right Guard

John Schlarman, 6-2, 275, Sr-3L
David De La Perralle, 6-6, 308, So-1L
Mike Riddle, 6-0, 264, Jr-Sq

Right Tackle

Kris Comstock, 6-8, 304, Jr-2L
Mike Webster, 6-6, 271, Jr-Tr
Matt Armbrester, 6-3, 299, Fr-RS
Michael Benjamin, 6-4, 276, Jr-Sq

Wide Receiver “X”

Quentin McCord, 5-10, 168, So-1L
Marvin Love, 5-10, 167, Jr-JC
Tyler Siddens, 5-11, 167, Sr-2L
Will Wade, 6-1, 160, Fr-RS
Michael Clayborne, 6-1, 170, Fr-RS

Wide Receiver “Y”

Kevin Coleman, 5-10, 185, Jr-2L
Garry Davis, 6-2, 189, Fr-RS

Wide Receiver “Z”

Kio Sanford, 5-11, 175, Sr-3L
Lance Mickelsen, 6-3, 170, Jr-JC
Chad Spencer, 6-4, 224, So-1L
Matt Powell, 6-2, 175, Fr-RS

Quarterback

Tim Couch, 6-5, 216, So-1L
Ryan Keller, 6-2, 192, Fr-RS
Brian Siddens, 6-6, 180, Fr-RS

Halfback

Anthony White, 6-1, 185, So-Sq
Craig Yeast, 5-9, 165, Jr-2L
Norman Mason, 5-9, 176, Sr-1L
Carl Grinter, 5-10, 181, So-Sq
Alex Herman, 5-10, 178, Fr-RS

Fullback

Wendell Childs, 6-2, 225, Fr-RS
A. J. Simon, 5-11, 220, So-Sq

Placekicker

Brian Johnson, 5-8, 164, Sr-2L
Marc Samuel, 5-10, 1555, Fr-HS
Bill Coleman, 6-0, 175, Sr-Sq
Damon Combs, 5-10, 185, Fr-RS
Brendan Crockett, 6-2, 179, Fr-RS

Injured — will return to the depth chart in August

HB Craig Carter, 6-0, 184, So-Sq

1997 Kentucky Post-Spring Practice Defensive Depth Chart

End

Dele Ali, 6-3, 212, Sr-3L
Miguel Viera, 6-2, 223, Jr-Sq
David Ginn, 6-5, 227, Sr-3L
Larry Morris, 6-2, 220, So-Sq

Tackle

Matt Layow, 6-3, 234, Fr-RS
Mark Jacobs, 6-3, 283, Jr-2L
Gordon Crowe, 6-3, 297, So-1L

Tackle

Marvin Major, 6-3, 281, Jr-1L
George Massey, 6-3, 277, So-1L
Thad Corbin, 6-3, 263, Sr-3L
Mike Piccione, 6-4, 239, So-Sq

End

Anthony Watson, 6-3, 226, So-1L
Robert Jones, 6-3, 229, Jr-Tr
Anwar Stewart, 6-3, 223, So-1L
Grayson Smith, 6-1, 226, Fr-RS

Outside Linebacker

Jeff Snedegar, 6-2, 216, So-1L
Filmore Wester, 6-0, 224, So-1L
Michael Moss, 6-0, 201, So-Sq

Middle Linebacker

Bob Holmberg, 6-0, 236, Sr-2L
John Rader, 6-5, 227, Fr-RS

Outside Linebacker

Lee Wesley, 6-0, 202, So-1L
Shawn Smith, 6-3, 201, Jr-2L

Cornerback

Tony Woods, 5-10, 165, Jr-2L
Eric Kelly, 5-11, 184, Fr-RS
Marc Wilson, 5-9, 170, Jr-1L

Strong Safety

Tremayne Martin, 6-0, 194, Sr-1L
Dorion Berry, 6-1, 181, So-1L
Jeff Zurcher, 6-0, 195, Jr-1L
Michael Gerrell, 5-10, 170, Fr-RS

Free Safety

Marlon McCree, 6-0, 172, Fr-RS
Chris Ford, 6-1, 174, Jr-2L
Kevin Bouis, 5-11, 203, Jr-Tr
Stephan Walters, 6-0, 184, Jr-1L

Cornerback

Littleton Ward, 5-9, 167, Sr-3L
Shamseldeen Arulogun, 5-10, 175, So-Sq
Andre’ Hayslip, 5-10, 173, Fr-RS

Punter

Jimmy Carter, 6-0, 173, Jr-2L
Stephen Brown, 5-11, 203, Jr-Sq
Andy Smith, 6-3, 201, So-Tr
Brad Pulliam, 6-2, 187, Fr-RS

Injured — will return to the depth chart in August

DE Andy Dreisbach, 6-2, 220, So-Sq
LB Andre’ Smith, 6-2, 232, Sr-1L
DE Lamont Smith, 6-2, 240, Sr-3L