LEXINGTON, Ky. – Upon the completion of the fall semester, two new “grayshirt” players have joined the Wildcats, linebacker Tim Patterson and quarterback Maxwell Smith. Both players were at practice Saturday morning in the Nutter Field House.
Patterson, from Central High School in Louisville, signed with the Wildcats last February but delayed enrollment while rehabilitating a knee injury sustained near the end of his 2009 high school senior season. He observed practice while he continues to rehabilitate.
Smith, who is out of Birmingham High School in Van Nuys, Calif., signed last spring while agreeing to delay enrollment because UK’s 2010 signing class was full. He participated in Saturday’s practice.
“We got Tim Patterson and Max Smith, who both came in early,” Coach Joker Phillips said. “They can practice but can’t go to the bowl site. They will get five practices in now (through Wednesday) and then we will break and they will leave and go home. Tim could possibly come back (in late December) since he is close enough but Max will probably stay home until Christmas break is over.
“It gives them a chance to try to get (acclimated) for those five days. Tim not doing much because our trainers don’t feel that he is full speed yet. He is probably about 85 percent. This is good for us to give him some conditioning these five days so he understand the intensity that he is going to have to work. With him being close we thought that it was a good idea for him to come in. Max will come in and try to absorb as much as he can these five days and then go home and come back and get ready for spring ball. The guy throws the ball well, but again it is the first day. A lot of things that are happening with him mentally and physically right now but we really did like the way the ball came out of his hands.”
Here are their biographies:
Tim Patterson, Linebacker, 6-4, 220, Fr-HS, Louisville, Ky. (Central) – The top prospect in the 2010 class in Kentucky as named by Rivals.com and SuperPrep … Rangy linebacker with outstanding height and sub-4.7 speed in the 40-yard dash … First-team all-state as a senior by The Associated Press and Louisville Courier-Journal … Named to the Lexington Herald-Leader “Class of the Commonwealth” listing of the top seniors in the state … Made 92 tackles as a senior but missed the state playoffs because of an injury … Also the top prospect in Kentucky by recruiting analyst Tom Lemming, who wrote, “This guy can really deliver a blow, always seems to be in the right position at the right time, takes great angles to the ball, and once he gets there, look out.” … Helped lead Central HS to consecutive state championships his sophomore and junior seasons … Made 91 tackles his junior year, with 12 for loss and two interceptions … Also saw playing time at tight end … Coached by Ty Scroggins (sophomore through senior year) and Steve Serotte (freshman year) … Not surprising with his skill set, is also an outstanding basketball player who helped Central to the finals of the 2009 state tournament.
Personal: Born in Louisville … Son of Sherry Board … Considering a major in business management.
Maxwell Smith, Quarterback, 6-4, 225, Fr-HS, Granada Hills, Calif. (Birmingham) – Tall quarterback known for his strong arm and cerebral ways … Played his senior season at Birmingham High School in Van Nuys, Calif. … Threw for approximately 2,500 yards and 24 touchdowns with only two interceptions … Named All-West Valley Conference and to the all-city team … Has a reputation for recognizing defenses and coverages, not surprising for a person who scored 1480 on his SAT … Coached by Jim Rose … Also played basketball … Received the school’s Most Valuable Senior Award, covering all sports.
Personal: Born in North Hollywood, Calif. … Son of Carl and Paige Smith … Considering a major in business management.
Sunday is Final Open Practice: Sunday’s workout is the final practice that will is open to the media and public. The Wildcats will practice from 2:30 to 4:25 p.m. in the Nutter Field House.
Sideline Seats Available Through UK: Tickets are available to the BBVA Compass Bowl for both season-ticket holders and the general public. Fans are encouraged to buy directly from the Kentucky ticket office, as all tickets from the UK allotment are sideline seats. All tickets are $50 each.
Tickets may be purchased:
• In-person at the UK Ticket Office in the Joe Craft Center, open
o Monday and Tuesday, Dec. 20-21, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
o Wednesday, Dec. 22, 9 a.m. to noon
• By calling the ticket office at 800-928-2287
• By mail or fax; print a ticket application from UKathletics.com and mail or fax (859-323-1269) to the ticket office.
‘Operation Win’ to Benefit Birmingham: To implement the ‘Operation Win’ initiative in the community, Coach Joker Phillips and the Cats plan to sponsor children from elementary schools around Legion Field, as well as Birmingham-area military personnel. Building off the GAMEDAY READY tour that traveled around Kentucky this past summer, the Wildcats hope to give back to the Birmingham community by providing game tickets sponsored by Wildcat fans and supporters.
Fans can participate by:
• Making a 100% tax-deductible contribution to the Operation Win Birmingham Fund
• Contributions can be made in $50 increments – the cost of one BBVA Compass Bowl ticket
• Ticket blocks will be donated to local Birmingham elementary schools and military personnel
• Help provide an opportunity for youth to experience Kentucky football
• Fans can make contributions to the Operation Win Birmingham Fund in addition to purchasing their BBVA Compass Bowl tickets
• Fans will receive three K Fund points for every $100 contribution
• Fans will receive one K Fund point for a $50 contribution
• The Operation Win drive will continue throughout December, as these tickets will be assigned separately from any priority ticket requests
To contribute to Operation Win Birmingham, fans may fax the application back to the UK Ticket Office at (859) 323-1269. Contributions are also welcome by phone by calling the UK Ticket Office at (800) 928-2287 or the K Fund Office at (859) 257-6300.
