Feb. 4, 2003
Signing Day Wednesday: Signing day is Wed. Feb. 5 and the signing list and biographies will be updated during the day on this page.
Abney at Walter Camp All-America Banquet: Junior wide receiver/kick returner Derek Abney will be honored by the Walter Camp Football Foundation as a member of its annual All-America team this weekend in New Haven, Conn.
Abney will travel to Connecticut on Friday. The calendar of events for the All-Americans includes a media luncheon, hospital visit and All-America alumni reception on Friday. The banquet will be on Saturday night and Abney will return to Lexington on Sunday.
Abney is enjoying a busy post-season calendar. In December, he was introduced as part of the Camp All-America team at the ESPN/Home Depot College Football Awards Show in Orlando, Fla. In January, he returned to Orlando and was honored as part of the Football Writers Association of America All-America Team. On Feb. 11, Abney and Artose Pinner will receive SEC Special Teams Player of the Year and SEC Offensive Player of the Year awards, respectively, from the Birmingham Quarterback Club. On March 1, Abney will be honored by the Atlanta Touchdown Club.
Abney returned six kicks for touchdowns in 2002 and broke or tied five NCAA records, nine Southeastern Conference records and 10 school records for kick returns. He averaged 15.1 yards per punt return, including four touchdowns (at Florida, at Arkansas, two at Mississippi State). He averaged 26.8 yards on kickoff returns with touchdowns at Florida and vs. Vanderbilt. He is the only player who ranked in the nation’s top 11 in punt returns, kickoff returns, and all-purpose yardage.
Abney also is a quality wide receiver. He caught 40 passes for 569 yards and four touchdowns this season and ranks third in school history in pass receptions and pass receiving yardage.
Kentucky Football Calendar
Wed. Feb. 5 – Signing period begins
Mon. March 31 – Spring practice begins
Mon. Apr. 21 – Coach Brooks on WLAP Spring Football Call-in Show, 7-9 p.m.
Sat. Apr. 26 – Blue/White Spring Football Game
July 29-31 – SEC Football Media Days; Kentucky appearance is Tue. July 29
Mon. Aug. 4 – Newcomers report
Thu. Aug. 7 – Veterans report
Fri. Aug. 8 – Kentucky Football Media Day
Sat. Aug. 30 – Louisville at Kentucky
