Jan. 14, 2011
LEXINGTON, Ky. – “Unfinished business” was the common thread for Kentucky All-America linebacker Danny Trevathan and All-Southeastern Conference safety Winston Guy, who have decided to return for their senior seasons after going through the National Football League draft evaluation process.
“I feel like I have a lot of unfinished business,” Trevathan said. “Overall, I just want to win and get the program where it needs to be.
“My evaluation (from the NFL) came back good but the easy way is not always the best way. I waited this long for the NFL, it can wait (another year). I want to enhance my game. I’m 228 (pounds), I want to work toward 235 or 240. I’m definitely going to finish school and that opens more windows in my life.” Trevathan expects to graduate in December 2011.
The junior from Leesburg, Fla., led the SEC in the 2010 season with 144 tackles, the most for a Wildcat since Marty Moore notched 148 stops in 1992. Trevathan closed the season with double-figure tackles in nine-straight games, the first Wildcat to accomplish that feat since Moore had 13-consecutive double-figure games in 1991-92.
Trevathan also led the Wildcats in tackles for loss with 16 and was third in the SEC in that category. He forced four fumbles, tying for second in the league, and added three quarterback sacks and three pass breakups. He had a career-high 17 tackles against eventual national champion Auburn and earned SEC Defensive Player of the Week honors for his performance in the season opener at Louisville, when he gathered 11 tackles, including 3.5 for loss.
Trevathan was named first-team All-America by CollegeFootballNews.com and was a fourth-team All-America choice by Phil Steele’s College Football. He was chosen first-team All-SEC by multiple selectors.
Trevathan will be joined on the 2011 squad by Guy, giving the team two All-SEC returnees who topped the 100-tackle mark last season.
“I have unfinished business,” said Guy, a native of Lexington. “This is my time to step up and be a leader for this team. I’m going to try to be more vocal and lead the team by how I work. I love that I’m going to get to play with Danny another year. I want to do everything I can to be the best player and student I can be.
“I talked to my parents (Winston Sr. and Renessa). My mom said the NFL will always be there. She wants me to graduate.” Guy expects to obtain his diploma in the spring of 2012.
Guy had his best season as a Wildcat in 2010. He totaled 106 tackles, including four for loss. He led the team with three interceptions, vs. Auburn, South Carolina and Tennessee. He had back-to-back career highs with 16 tackles in the win over Charleston Southern and 18 stops in the victory over Vanderbilt.
Guy was chosen second-team All-SEC by CollegeFootballNews.com and fourth-team All-SEC by Phil Steele’s College Football.
Obviously, Coach Joker Phillips is glad to welcome back his defensive leaders.
“I’m excited to have Danny and Winston back with us,” Phillips said. “Overall, an extra year will help them develop as players while they continue toward their degrees. And, another year in the weight room with Coach (Rock) Oliver will do nothing but help them.”
Trevathan and Guy were the leading tacklers on the 2010 Kentucky defense, which entered the season as the most inexperienced Wildcat defense in 20 years. Despite the youth of the unit, UK still managed to finish 45th nationally (out of 120 teams) in total defense, allowing 354.2 yards per game.
The Kentucky defense should be a much more veteran group in 2011.
- Barring unforeseen departures, the top 11 tacklers from last season are back this year.
- UK has 13 defenders on hand who have started at least two games during their careers – ends Collins Ukwu and Taylor Wyndham; tackles Mark Crawford and Luke McDermott; linebackers Ronnie Sneed, Danny Trevathan and Ridge Wilson; cornerbacks Randall Burden, Anthony Mosley and Martavius Neloms; and safeties Mychal Bailey, Winston Guy and Taiedo Smith.
- Along with the players mentioned above, there are 12 additional defensive lettermen, eight freshman redshirts and two January enrollees (grayshirts) who will be available for spring practice.
