Wildcats report: Strategy and personnel
KEY LOSSES
Multipurpose threat Randall Cobb elected to skip his senior season and enter the NFL Draft, and there is no chance that any one single player can replace the All-American who set a Southeastern Conference single-season record with 2,396 all-purpose yards. Cobb's 84 receptions can be partially replaced, but his gamebreaking skills and role as the face of the program can't. Sophomore Raymond Sanders will get a long look in the spring to see if he can replace Derrick Locke as the lead running back. Junior Morgan Newton is the favorite to replace outgoing quarterback Mike Hartline. Sophomore Mister Cobble could be in line to replace defensive tackle Ricky Lumpkin while Kentucky's stable of young defensive ends minimizes the loss of end DeQuin Evans, who had a disappointing senior season.
PLAYERS TO WATCH IN 2011:
LB Danny Trevathan -- A sigh of relief was heard when the SEC's leading tackler in 2010 decided to return for his senior season. Hopes to build on a season in which he had 16 tackles for losses, four forced fumbles and three sacks.
S Winston Guy -- He chose to return for senior season after posting 106 tackles and three interceptions as a junior. He'll have co-leadership role of the defense with Trevathan.
QB Morgan Newton -- Enters junior season with nine starts under his belt, so he does have some solid experience with running the team. The Wildcats will sink or swim with him as there is no proven backup in the program.
WR La'Rod King -- Wildcats hoping he'll step up as a go-to receiver after Randall Cobb's departure. King had 36 receptions and five touchdowns as a sophomore.
PLAYER NOTES
--QB Ryan Mossakowski has elected to transfer instead of being Morgan Newton's backup in 2011. Mossakowski didn't feel there was going to be a true spring competition for the starting job and the sophomore is leaving in hopes of getting on the field quicker at another school.
--RB Derrick Locke (Senior Bowl) and DT Ricky Lumpkin (Texas vs. the Nation) played in postseason all-star games.
Copyright (C) 2011 The Sports Xchange. All Rights Reserved.
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Audio & Video Coverage
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