April 29, 1999
Bonner Wins Quarterback Derby: One of the big questions ofspring practice – Who will replace Tim Couch? – was answered whensophomore Dusty Bonner was chosen as the starting quarterback by CoachHal Mumme. Bonner was selected following the ninth of UK’s 15practices.
In four spring scrimmages, Bonner completed 85 of 130 passes(65.4 percent) for 1,291 yards, 14 touchdowns, and no interceptions.Bonner beat out redshirt freshmen Chase Harp and Mike Scipione for thestarting nod. Harp moved to tight end during the spring and Scipione isthe backup QB.
O-Line Coming Along: Another major task of the spring wasrebuilding the UK offensive line, which lost all five starters from the1998 unit. UK’s line made obvious gains as the spring progressed, witha mid-spring flip-flop of tackles Omar Smith and Matt Brown helping evenmore.
By the end of the spring, the starting unit was comprised ofBrown, a sophomore, at left tackle; junior Aaron Daniel at left guard;sophomore center Nolan DeVaughn; sophomore Josh Parrish at right guard;and Smith, a junior, at right tackle.
All five players have seen at least limited game action:
Brown started the last four games of 1998, including the Outback Bowl,following the injury to Jonas Liening.
Daniel started the Tennessee game.
DeVaughn started in the Outback Bowl.
Parrish played extensively in the Outback Bowl.
Smith played in five games in 1996, including one start.
Depth remains a question mark. Sophomore center Derrick Johnsonand redshirt freshman guards Matt Burke and Tramaine Gaines are the onlyother scholarship players on the roster. Johnson and Gaines missed muchof the spring because of injuries. Four freshman signees will bolsterthe depth chart in August.
Tight End Should be a Strength: The Wildcats should bewell-fortified at tight end next season. Senior James Whalen, whocaught 23 passes for 239 yards and three touchdowns last season, loomsas the starter. True freshman Bobby Blizzard (6-7, 265 pounds), whoentered UK in January, showed speed and good hands during the spring.Former quarterback Chase Harp moved to tight end midway through thespring and played very well during his trial there.
The quality depth at tight end enabled the coaching staff tomove senior Jimmy Haley to defensive tackle. Haley was UK’s startingtight end in 1998 with 13 catches for 118 yards and one touchdown.
Receivers Doing Fine: UK’s receiving corps appears to be in goodshape, despite the departure of three key wideouts, includingAll-American Craig Yeast.
Quentin McCord, Garry Davis, Dougie Allen, and Jimmy Robinsonall did well in the spring. As one might expect, the youngest of thebunch – sophomore Dougie Allen – appeared to make the most progress.Sophomore Vincent Harrison, who only participated in three practicesbecause of his starting shortstop duties on the baseball team, alsoimpressed the coaching staff and could make an impact this fall.
D-Line Looks Delightful: Kentucky’s defensive line appears ingood shape going into August, despite the loss of starting tackles MarkJacobs and Marvin Major.
Dependable senior George Massey advances into one tackle slot.Senior Gordon Crowe, who started at end in 1998, returns to the interioras the other starting tackle. Crowe was a reserve tackle in 1996-97.Senior Anwar Stewart fills Crowe’s spot at one defensive end whilesophomore Dennis Johnson returns at the other end.
Linebackers Promising: In the absence of injured starters JeffSnedegar and Marlon McCree at outside linebacker, several younglinebackers saw significant action during the spring. Sophomores JamalWhite, Ronnie Riley, and Chris Gayton, along with redshirt freshmanMorris Lane and senior Lee Wesley, pleased the coaching staff with theirimprovement. Snedegar and McCree will have significant competition forplaying time when they return in August.
At middle linebacker, sophomore Ryan Murphy came on strong andis pushing incumbent junior John Rader for the starting job.
For the first time since his arrival in 1997, it appears thatdefensive coordinator/linebackers coach Mike Major will have qualitydepth at all three linebacker posts.
Young Secondary Getting Better: Spring practice also was a timeof improvement for a Kentucky secondary that features no seniors.
The two returning starters, junior cornerback Eric Kelly andsophomore strong safety David Johnson, gave no evidence of losing theirjobs. Kelly returned two interceptions for touchdowns during the fourscrimmages. Junior cornerback Kenneth Grant made strides toward landingone cornerback post. Sophomore Anthony Wajda made a leap of improvementat free safety, prompting the coaching staff to ask this question – whatto do with Willie Gary?
Gary, the starting free safety last season until hisseason-ending knee injury, sat out the spring while undergoingrehabilitation. A quality player, the coaching staff intended to returnhim to the starting lineup in August. But now, with the emergence ofWajda, the coaches are considering moving Gary to corner in order tobolster that position.
Smith to Punt: Senior Andy Smith nailed down the open job as thestarting punter. He showed excellent range during the spring and aknack for the angled punting style preferred by Coach Hal Mumme. Withthe help of the wind at his back, Smith averaged 60.3 yards on threepunts during the Blue/White Spring Game.
Checking the Position Changes: Here’s a summary of how the majorposition changes went during the spring.
Gordon Crowe, a starting defensive end in 1998, moved to defensivetackle and is will start at tackle.
Chris Demaree moved from linebacker to defensive end and finished thespring No. 3 at one end position.
Chris Gayton moved from strong safety to outside linebacker andfinished the spring No. 3 at OLB.
Jimmy Haley, the starting tight end in 1998, moved to defensive tackleand finished the spring No. 2 at a tackle position.
Chase Harp moved from quarterback to tight end during the spring; heplayed very well for a newcomer to the position and finished the springNo. 3 at tight end; he should see playing time as a reserve in thecoming season.
Derrick Johnson moved from defensive tackle to center; he was runningNo. 2 at center until suffering an injury (see below).
Morris Lane moved from defensive back to outside linebacker andfinished the spring No. 4 at OLB.
Patrick Wiggins moved from cornerback to strong safety and finishedthe spring No. 2 at strong safety.
Injury Update: Two Wildcats, sophomore center Derrick Johnsonand redshirt freshman offensive guard Tramaine Gaines, sufferedsignificant injuries during the spring. Johnson incurred afracture/dislocation of his ankle and Gaines had a broken foot. Bothplayers had surgery and, barring complications, are expected to be 100percent when practice resumes in August.
Rehabilitation: Several players, including senior linebackerJeff Snedegar (shoulder), junior free safety Willie Gary (knee), juniorlinebacker Marlon McCree (thigh), junior cornerback Jeremy Bowie(shoulder), junior linebacker Gus Jacobs (knee), junior defensive endGrayson Smith (knee), and redshirt freshman Patrick Wells (torn chestmuscle), were held out of the contact portions of spring practice whilerehabilitating injuries. With the possible exception of Bowie, each ofthe players is expected to be full go in August.
