All Aboard - Meet the New Cats

Kentucky's 2008 football signing class appears to be complete. All 18 players that were expected to commit, as of yesterday, have made it official. In addition, the Cats added Aaron Boyd and Collins Ukwo. Ukwo, a defensive end from Tennessee, was not offered a scholarship from U.K. until yesterday. He was previously commited to Middle Tennessee.

Meet the new football Cats (courtesy of U.K. Athletics):

1. Eric Adeyemi, Wide Receiver, 6-0, 165, Fr-HS, Miami, Fla. (Southridge) – Swift wide receiver prospect … Has been timed below 4.4 seconds in the 40-yard dash … As a senior, caught 31 passes for 455 yards and four touchdowns for Southridge HS in Miami, Fla. … Rushed 24 times for 246 yards, a 10.3-yard average, and five TDs … Also returned kickoffs and punts, including a 99-yard kickoff return for a touchdown … Two-way player as a senior and had two interceptions on defense … Named to the All-Dade County team, a talent-rich area … According to a story in the Miami Herald, Eric was the only player this season who caught a pass against heralded Miami defensive back prospect Brandon Harris … Credited with 16 receptions for 353 yards, an impressive 22.1-yard average, and four TDs as a junior … Rushed for 206 yards on 28 carries, a 7.4 average, and three TDs … Coached by Rodney Hunter … Also a track standout … Second in the state in the 300-meter hurdles as a junior … Fourth in the state in the 110-meter hurdles as a junior … Name is pronounced “ad-uh-YEM-ee.”
2. Aaron Boyd, Wide Receiver, 6-3, 210, Fr-HS, Lexington, Ky. (Henry Clay) – Highly regarded wide receiver … The No. 1 prospect in Kentucky by Rivals.com and Scout.com … One of the nation’s top-40 wide receivers by both services, and rated the No. 18 player in the Midwest by Scout.com … Caught 55 passes as a senior, good for 1,157 yards and 15 touchdowns … First-team all-state by The Associated Press … Named to the Lexington Herald-Leader “Class of the Commonwealth” and “Kentucky Tremendous 26” listing of the top seniors in the state … Named to the all-city team as a junior, snagging 39 balls for 730 yards and five touchdowns … Also saw action as a defensive back … Helped lead Henry Clay HS to a 35-6 record over the last three seasons, including trips to the state semifinals as a sophomore and junior … Coached by Sam Simpson … Also a member of the basketball squad and played for the Henry Clay team that advanced to the Kentucky Sweet 16 state tournament as a freshman … Brother of former Wildcat quarterback Shane Boyd (UK 2000-03), who is now with the NFL’s Houston Texans.
3. Chandler Burden, Offensive Lineman, 6-5, 280, Fr-HS, Oxford, Ohio (LaSalle) – Athletic lineman who played both offense and defense at LaSalle HS in Cincinnati, Ohio … Projects as an offensive lineman in the collegiate ranks … Played nose tackle and end while on defense … Two-year member of the highly competitive Greater Catholic League in the Cincinnati area … Honorable-mention All-Southwest Ohio as a senior … Has been timed below 5.0 in the 40-yard dash, an excellent clocking for a lineman … Named to an “All-Combine Team” in Cincinnati, an event which featured players from multiple states … Coached by Tom Grippa … Throws the shot and the discus for the track and field team … Advanced to the state meet and finished in the top 10 in both events as a junior … Has several relatives who live in the Lexington area and already were Kentucky fans.
4. Randall Cobb, Quarterback/Athlete, 5-11, 180, Fr-HS, Alcoa, Tenn. (Alcoa) – Named “Mr. Football” for Class AA in Tennessee … Dual-threat quarterback from perennial power Alcoa HS … Alcoa has won four-consecutive state championships, the last two with Cobb at the offensive controls as the starting QB … Team posted a 27-3 mark during his two campaigns as a starter … As a senior, completed 89 of 139 passes (64.0 percent) for 1,765 yards, 22 touchdowns, and only two interceptions … Rushed for 793 yards, a 9.0-yard average per carry, and 13 touchdowns … During his junior season, threw for 1,893 yards, 25 TDs, and just four interceptions … All-state as a junior and senior … Coached by Gary Rankin … At Kentucky, will be reunited with current Wildcat wide receiver Kyrus Lanxter … One of the top-11 prospects in Tennessee by the Orlando (Fla.) Sentinel … One of the top-20 prospects in Tennessee, according to Rivals.com … Projected as a defensive back by Scout.com, he is listed as one of the nation’s top-100 DBs by that service … Also a member of the track team.
5. E. J. Fields, Wide Receiver/Defensive Back, 6-2, 190, Fr-HS, Frankfort, Ky. (Frankfort) – Highly regarded athlete … Played quarterback and cornerback at Frankfort (Ky.) HS and has been projected as a wide receiver or DB on the collegiate level … Led team to an 11-3 record and a spot in the state semifinals his senior season … Had eight interceptions as a senior, adding eight pass breakups, 59 tackles, and five tackles for loss … At quarterback, he ran for 1,023 yards and 19 touchdowns … Also passed for 373 yards and five scores … First-team all-state by the Louisville Courier-Journal … Named to the Lexington Herald-Leader “Class of the Commonwealth” and the “Kentucky Tremendous 26” listings of the top seniors in the state … Ran for 1,147 yards and 14 touchdowns as a junior, earning all-county and all-district honors … Career totals feature 2,677 rushing yards and 39 TDs … On defense, he totaled nine interceptions and 190 tackles … Coached by Craig Foley … Has been timed at 4.5 seconds in the 40-yard dash … The No. 4 prospect in Kentucky by Rivals.com, which also lists him as the nation’s No. 63 all-purpose athlete … The nation’s No. 45 safety according to Scout.com … Also has participated in basketball and track … Won the state championship in the 400-meter dash as a junior and also competes in the 100 and 200 meters … Best times include 10.7 seconds in the 100, 22.2 in the 200, and 48.7 in the 400 … Considering running track while at Kentucky.
6. Winston Guy, Defensive Back, 6-1, 190, Fr-HS, Lexington, Ky. (Catholic) – First-team all-state defensive back as chosen by The Associated Press and Louisville Courier-Journal … Named to the Lexington Herald-Leader “Class of the Commonwealth” listing of the top-22 seniors in the state … Helped lead Lexington Catholic HS to a 13-2 record and Class AAAA state championship as a senior … Earned a reputation as a great cover corner and his athletic ability enabled him to be a devastating blitzer … Senior defensive statistics featured 75 tackles, 18.5 tackles for loss, 7.5 quarterback sacks, 10 QB hurries, two caused fumbles, and two blocked kicks … Offensive stats included 24 carries for 267 yards and six touchdowns, along with 16 pass receptions for 215 yards and two TDs … Also had two kick returns for touchdowns … Set a school career record with 19.5 sacks … Team also won the state title in Class AAA his sophomore season … Has turned in a 4.35 clocking in the 40-yard dash … Coached by Bill Letton … Projected as a safety by Scout.com and listed as the No. 12 safety in the nation … The No. 3 prospect in Kentucky and one of the top-30 safeties in the country as selected by Rivals.com.
7. Osaze Idumwonyi, Offensive Lineman/Defensive Lineman, 6-1, 275, Fr-HS, Cedar Hill, Tex. – Athletic lineman who excelled on both sides of the ball at Cedar Hill (Tex.) HS … Could end up on offense or defense at Kentucky … Started in the offensive line his junior year when his team went 16-0 and won the Class AAAAA state championship … Chosen for the all-district team as a senior … Noted for his quickness and explosion at the snap … Has run the 40-yard dash under 5.0 seconds, according to Cedar Hill Coach Joey McGuire, an outstanding time for a lineman … Originally played tight end but became a lineman as he matured … Top lifts include 650 pounds in the squat and 330 in the bench press … Listed as the No. 12 center in the nation by Rivals.com and the No. 62 player in the talent-rich state of Texas … Scout.com tabs him among the nation’s top-125 offensive guards … Name is pronounced “o-SAH-zay id-oo-WAH-ee.”
8. William Johnson, Linebacker, 6-3, 195, Fr-HS, Nashville, Tenn. (Pearl-Cohn) – Versatile athlete who performed at multiple positions at Pearl-Cohn HS in Nashville, Tenn. … At various times he played free safety and linebacker on defense and played wide receiver and tailback on offense … Also excelled at returning punts and kickoffs … Has a frame that will enable him to continue to gain size and strength while in college … His speed enabled him to be an effective blitzer, as he had 12 quarterback sacks as a senior, along with 80 tackles and a pair of interceptions … On offense he had 37 catches for 689 yards and 12 touchdowns … Rushed 21 times for 350 yards and four TDs … Averaged a phenomenal 35 yards per punt return … Helped Pearl-Cohn advance to the Class AAA state semifinals as a junior and senior … All-city, all-region, and second-team all-state as a senior … Has been timed at 4.5 seconds in the 40-yard dash … Coached by Tony Brunetti … Teammate of fellow UK signee DeAunte Mason … His athletic versatility also shows in other sports … Plays basketball and baseball in addition to football … Plays catcher and center field in baseball, another unique combination.
9. DeAunte Mason, Quarterback/Athlete, 6-3, 215, Fr-HS, Nashville, Tenn. (Pearl-Cohn) – Named “Mr. Football” for Class AAA in Tennessee … Dual-threat quarterback with good size … Began starting at quarterback midway through his freshman season at Pearl-Cohn HS in Nashville, Tenn. … Helped Pearl-Cohn advance to the Class AAA state semifinals as a junior and senior … Threw for 2,375 yards as a senior, also rushing for 1,052 yards, and accounted for 35 total touchdowns … Also the team’s punter and placekicker … Passed for almost 2,000 yards an 19 touchdowns as a junior, to go along with 906 rushing yards and 15 TDs … All-state as a junior and senior … Regional Most Valuable Player and also Nashville Metro MVP as a senior … Coached by Tony Brunetti … One of the top-11 prospects in Tennessee by the Orlando (Fla.) Sentinel … One of the top-20 prospects in the state by Rivals.com … Among the nation’s top 100 QBs by Scout.com … Teammate of fellow UK signee William Johnson … Plays basketball and runs track … Member of the 4x200-meter relay team that won the state championship his junior year … President of his school’s chapter of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes … Currently a finalist for the Admiral Lawrence Scholarship Award given by the Nashville chapter of the National Football Foundation … Name is pronounced “dee-AUN-tay.”
10. Gene McCaskill, Wide Receiver, 6-0, 175, Fr-HS, Chester, S. C. (Chester) – Named first-team all-state as an all-purpose athlete by the Columbia State newspaper and the High School Sports Report … Talented playmaker performed at quarterback and wide receiver in high school … Expected to get a first look at wide receiver in college … Helped lead Chester HS to the Class AAA state championship game as a senior … Accounted for more than 2,500 passing, rushing, and receiving yards, to go along with 30 touchdowns in those categories … Played in the South Carolina North-South All-Star Game … Has been clocked under 4.6 seconds in the 40-yard dash … One of the top-11 prospects in South Carolina by the Orlando (Fla.) Sentinel … Coached by Vic Floyd … An all-region track and basketball player.
11. Cartier Rice, Defensive Back, 5-10, 180, Fr-HS, Duncan, S. C. (Byrnes) – First-team all-state selection as a senior by The Associated Press, the Columbia State newspaper and the High School Sports Report … Outstanding cover cornerback with noteworthy quickness … Helped lead Byrnes HS of Duncan, S. C., to three state championships of the largest classification during his four years on the varsity … Had three interceptions as a senior, and capped the campaign by playing in the South Carolina vs. North Carolina Shrine Bowl … Had an interception for the winning South Carolina team in the Shrine Bowl … “Rice took on the challenge all week of covering a very talented group of receivers and came up aces,” wrote recruiting analyst Barton Simmons, who covered the Shrine Bowl game and practices for Rivals.com … Also had three interceptions as a junior, to go along with eight pass breakups … Coached by Chris Miller … Name is pronounced “car-TEE-ay.”
12. Matt Roark, Quarterback/Athlete, 6-6, 190, Fr-HS, Acworth, Ga. (North Cobb) – Combines excellent height and good speed … Originally a free safety, he moved to quarterback early in his junior year when the team’s starting QB was hurt; blossomed at the new position as he developed into a top-notch quarterback … Honorable-mention all-state as a senior by the Georgia Sportswriters Association and the Atlanta Journal-Constitution …Two-time Cobb County Player of the Year … In 18 career starts he totaled 54 rushing and passing touchdowns … As a senior, he completed 98 of 136 passes (72.1 percent) for 1,552 yards and 15 touchdowns … Rushed for 1,010 yards and 12 TDs, averaging 7.3 yards per carry … Rushed for over 1,000 yards as a junior, scoring 18 touchdowns … Also had five interceptions … Led North Cobb HS to state playoff berths as a junior and senior … Coached by Shane Queen … Also plays basketball … Has Kentucky connections, as he was born in Lexington and still has relatives living in Hazard … Name is pronounced “RORK” … His father, Ray Gover, was a UK football letterman from 1985-88 as a defensive back and wide receiver.
13. Donte Rumph, Defensive Lineman, 6-3, 260, Fr-HS, St. Matthews, S. C. (Calhoun County) – Talented lineman with the size and strength to play tackle and also the quickness needed to play at end … As a senior, earned first-team all-state honors, covering all classifications, by The Associated Press and the Columbia State newspaper … Also first-team all-state for Class AA by the High School Sports Report … Totaled 107 tackles during senior season, to go along with 14 quarterback sacks, for Calhoun County HS in St. Matthews, S. C. … Chosen for the South Carolina vs. North Carolina Shrine Bowl and played for the winning squad … Made 65 tackles and five sacks during his junior season … Coached by Walter Wilson … Member of the Calhoun County basketball team which has won three consecutive state championships and has an active winning streak of more than 70 games … An uncle, Chris Rumph, is an assistant coach at Clemson … Cousin of Clemson defensive lineman Philip Merling.
14. Matt Smith, Defensive Lineman/Offensive Lineman, 6-4, 270, Fr-HS, Louisville, Ky. (St. Xavier) – First-team all-state as a senior by the Louisville Courier-Journal … Named to the “Class of the Commonwealth” listing of the top 22 seniors in Kentucky by the Lexington Herald-Leader … Also tabbed for the “Kentucky Tremendous 26” … Played primarily in the defensive line for perennial power St. Xavier HS in Louisville … Helped St. Xavier reach the state finals in his senior and sophomore seasons, going 14-1 in each campaign … Known for his upper-body strength and playing savvy … Although he played mostly on defense in high school, he is usually projected as an offensive lineman in college … Scout.com lists him as the No. 63 offensive guard in the country … Coached by Mike Glaser … Also a competitive swimmer … Grew up as a Kentucky fan.
15. Sean Stackhouse, Tight End, 6-4, 250, Fr-HS, Jacksonville, Fla. (Mandarin) – Big, athletic tight end … Four-year starter for Mandarin HS in Jacksonville, Fla. … As a senior, caught 32 passes for 426 yards and four touchdowns … Snagged 33 passes his junior season, good for 333 yards … Two-year member of the all-conference team … Team captain as a junior and senior … Listed as the nation’s No. 31 tight end by Scout.com … Selected to play in the Florida North-South All-Star Game but was unable to participate because of an injury … Nominated for the U. S. Army All-America Game … Coached by Luther Price and the late J. D. Hall … Also participated in track and field and played basketball in high school.
16. Danny Trevathan, Linebacker, 6-1, 210, Fr-HS, Leesburg, Fla. (Leesburg) – Athletic linebacker whose speed and playing intensity have drawn comparisons to UK All-SEC linebacker Wesley Woodyard … Three-year starter for Leesburg (Fla.) HS … Third-team all-state, covering all classifications, by the Florida Sportswriters Association … Named first-team All-Central Florida by the Orlando Sentinel … Also the Area Defensive Player of the Year for Lake and Sumter counties by the Sentinel … Also the Area Defensive Player of the Year by the Leesburg Daily Commercial … Senior statistics included 117 tackles, seven tackles for loss, 5.5 quarterback sacks, two fumble recoveries (one returned for a touchdown), and three caused fumbles … Played quarterback and running back on offense … … Rushed 56 times for 427 yards, a 7.6-yard average, and three touchdowns … Notched 98 tackles, including 17 for loss, along with five caused fumbles, three fumble recoveries, and six sacks as a junior … Has been timed as fast as 4.45 seconds in the 40-yard dash … Coached by Charles Nassar … Also a member of the school’s weightlifting team.
17. Dave Ulinski, Offensive Lineman, 6-4, 280, Fr-HS, Louisville, Ky. (duPont Manual) – Co-winner of the Paul Hornung Award as the best player in Kentucky … Played center his senior season at duPont Manual HS in Louisville … Helped the Crimsons average 33.9 points and 172 rushing yards per game … Team went 10-2, advancing to the second round of the state playoffs … Named first-team all-state by The Associated Press and Louisville Courier-Journal … Chosen for the Lexington Herald-Leader “Class of the Commonwealth” and the “Kentucky Tremendous 26” listings of the top seniors in the state … Prior to his senior year, he played in the defensive line at Manual … Has the ability and athleticism to play either side of the ball in college … The No. 7 prospect in Kentucky by Rivals.com and the nation’s No. 67 offensive tackle … Scout.com lists him as the No. 46 offensive tackle in the country … Coached by Joe Nichols … Dave’s grandfather, Harry, was a center/linebacker at Kentucky from 1946-49 … Harry was an All-SEC player, honorable-mention All-American, captain of the 1949 Orange Bowl team, played six years in the National Football League, and is one of UK’s retired-jersey honorees … Name is pronounced “u-LIN-skee.”
18. Collins Ukwu, Defensive End, 6-4, 210, Fr-HS, La Vergne, Tenn. (La Vergne) – Defensive end noted for his speed and quickness … Outstanding mobility indicated by the fact that he set a school career record with 43 tackles for loss at La Vergne (Tenn.) HS … Played only seven games his senior season because of injury, but totaled 86 tackles, 22 tackles for loss, seven quarterback sacks, three fumbles caused, and one fumble recovery … All-region as a junior and senior … Named to the all-area team as a senior by the Murfreesboro Daily News Journal … Honorable-mention all-state … Three-year starter who helped lead La Vergne to state playoff appearances his sophomore and junior seasons … Has run the 40-yard dash in 4.7 seconds … Coached by Will Hester … Member of school’s basketball team that has won four consecutive district championships and two regional titles … Competes in the shot put and discus throw for the track and field team … Name is pronounced “OOK-woo.”
19. Trevino Woods, Offensive Lineman, 6-5, 280, Fr-HS, Athens, Ga. (Clarke Central) – Sizeable offensive line prospect … Played two seasons in the offensive line at Clarke Central HS in Athens, Ga. … Graded at 82 percent for his senior season, including 45 pancake blocks … Team went 7-3-1 as a senior, advancing to the first round of the Class AAAA playoffs … Known for good quickness in addition to his noteworthy size … Has tremendous upside as he did not begin playing football until his junior year of high school … The nation’s No. 48 offensive guard by Scout.com … Coached by Leroy Ryals … The first commitment of Kentucky’s 2008 signing class … Also on the track and field team, competing in the shot put and discus throw.
20. Taylor Wyndham, Linebacker/Defensive Lineman, 6-4, 205, Fr-HS, Swansea, S. C. (Swansea) – Tall linebacker who has tremendous speed and range, and also plays with great leverage … First-team all-state for Class AAA by the High School Sports Report and SCVarsity.com … Second-team all-state selection, covering all classifications, by the Columbia State newspaper … Played outside linebacker as a senior, making 86 tackles along with five quarterback sacks, 21 quarterback hurries, one interception, three fumbles caused, and three fumbles recoveries for Swansea HS … Also scored three touchdowns on offense … Was an inside linebacker as a junior, making 130 tackles with three caused fumbles, three fumble recoveries, three quarterback sacks, and one interception … Named all-region as a junior and senior … Totaled more than 300 tackles at Swansea … Also played defensive end early in his high school career … Could possibly return to defensive end in the collegiate ranks as he continues to mature physically … Played in the South Carolina North-South All-Star Game after his senior season … Ranked as the nation’s No. 47 strongside linebacker by Scout.com … Coached by Van Lewis … Also played soccer and basketball.