Dontae Wright, who grew up in Kentucky and is a former linebacker at the University of Miami (Ohio), has joined the Kentucky football staff as a graduate assistant coach. He will aid the UK defensive staff and help coach the linebackers.
Along with coaching his position, Wright has a lead responsibility in breaking down opponent film, organizing scouting reports, handling ?self scout? of UK tendencies, running the offensive scout team, and helping with on-campus recruiting.
?We?re thrilled to get Dontae,? Coach Rich Brooks said. ?He comes from a great football school (Miami is known as the ?Cradle of Coaches? for its coaching heritage). He?s also a Kentucky high school product and played high school football with (current UK graduate assistant) Gerad Parker.?
Wright was a four-year letterman for the RedHawks from 2003-06. He was recruited to Miami as a safety but moved to linebacker during his freshman year. He saw action in 48 games during his collegiate career, earning a starting spot at outside linebacker as a senior. He started in all 12 games in 2006 and finished fourth on the team with 65 tackles, which included 45 solo stops and 20 assisted tackles.
Wright played on the 2003 Mid-American Conference championship squad that went 13-1 overall, 8-0 in MAC and won the GMAC Bowl by defeating Louisville, 49-28. He also was a special teams contributor on the 2004 Miami squad that won the MAC Eastern Division, went 8-5 overall, 7-1 in the MAC, and appeared in the Independence Bowl. In 2005, he was a reserve linebacker and special teams contributor when the RedHawks went 7-4 overall, 5-3 in the MAC, and finished as MAC East co-champions.
A native of Maryland who grew up in Kentucky, Wright attended Lawrence County High School, where he played both quarterback and safety. He rushed for 1,011 yards, threw for 592 yards, and totaled 2,306 all-purpose yards, helping the Bulldogs compile a 40-10 record during his prep career. He was named 2001 area co-player of the year and was an all-conference, all-area and honorable mention all-state selection after his senior season. Wright and Parker played together at Lawrence County, where Parker became the leading pass receiver in Kentucky high school history.
Wright completed his bachelor?s degree in physical education at Miami and is working on a master?s degree in sports leadership at UK.
?I?m very excited to be here,? Wright said. ?I?ve always been a Kentucky fan. It?s a great opportunity to work with an outstanding coaching staff.?
Woodyard Named to Nagurski Watch List: Senior linebacker Wesley Woodyard has been named to the preseason watch list for the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, awarded annually to the best defensive player in college football.
Woodyard is one of 49 players on the watch list, which is selected by the Football Writers Association of America and sponsored by the Charlotte (N. C.) Touchdown Club.
Woodyard was named first-team All-Southeastern Conference by league coaches last season. He made 122 tackles last season, second in the SEC and 18th nationally. He also led the Wildcats with 9.5 tackles for loss. Consistency has been his hallmark, as he has made at least four tackles in 24 consecutive games and could become the first Wildcat in 14 years to reach 300 tackles in his career.
Woodyard also is on the preseason watch list for The Lott Trophy, a national defensive player of the year award which combines on-field performance with off-the-field accomplishments and character.
The Bronko Nagurski Trophy is awarded in memory of the legendary Nagurski, a former All-America lineman at the University of Minnesota in 1927-29 and a star for the Chicago Bears in the 1930s.
Terry Clayton Featured on CBS Sports Line: Senior linebacker Terry Clayton is the subject of a feature on CBSSportsLine.com. The article was written by J. Darin Durst, who profiled a pair of walk-on college football players (also Zach Milligan of Missouri) who are inspirational stories.
Clayton lost his hearing at age five because of a severe fever associated with a case of chicken pox. He went on to play high school football and joined UK as a walk-on (non-scholarship) player. Clayton is a two-year letterman for the Wildcats and, in the classroom, earned a place on the SEC Academic Honor Roll.
Lindley, Scott Chosen for ?All-Spring Team? by The Sporting News: Cornerback Trevard Lindley and center Eric Scott were named to the ?All-Spring Practice Team? by Tom Dienhart of The Sporting News, honoring players who stood out during spring drills.
Lindley picked up in the spring where he left off in 2006, when he was first-team Freshman All-America. He played excellent coverage in practice and grabbed two interceptions of quarterback Andre? Woodson during the Blue/White Spring Game.
Scott, who has gone from tight end to defensive end to the offensive line during his collegiate career, played very well in the spring. He played mostly at center, but his versatile athletic ability enables him to play any position in the line.
?Eric had a very good (spring) camp and will be a clear starter for us in the offensive line,? Coach Rich Brooks said.
Johnson, Paris Resume Team Activities: Junior offensive guard Christian Johnson and sophomore defensive end Jamil Paris have resumed team activities and are taking part in the summer strength and conditioning program, Coach Rich Brooks announced. Johnson and Paris did not participate in spring practice in order to concentrate on their academic work.
