Louisville is better at EVERY skill position. And it's not close, IMHO. UL's defense is significantly better. More talent, more depth, more experience. Obviously Louisville would struggle in the SEC (same tired argument), as most non-powerhouse schools do. That says absolutely nothing to make UK any better than they are.

 

This season, UofL is battling TN for the #4 spot in the SEC East. Kentucky is not. Louisville will beat UK by 17.

This season, UofL is battling TN for the #4 spot in the SEC East. Kentucky is not. Louisville will beat UK by 17.

 

Louisville would be better than UK, Vandy, and UT in the SEC East, but if you were just inserting them into the mix and not taking someone out, that still only puts them fifth. I don't think they're above Florida, South Carolina, Missouri, or Georgia.

 

I agree on the UK game, UL should win comfortably.

Look UK sucks, Joker is terrible but Louisville is an average team at best. I think they will be UK but this chatter about Louisville being so good is laughable.

Still trying to figure our what about UK was appealing to Towles. What were his other offers?

Still trying to figure our what about UK was appealing to Towles. What were his other offers?

 

ESPN shows his other offers being Cincinnati, Louisville, Vanderbilt & Illinois.

 

ESPN shows his other offers being Cincinnati, Louisville, Vanderbilt & Illinois.

 

Vandy would have been his better option. Going in opposite direction of UK and world class education.

Here is a preview of what UK's Depth Chart looks like at this point...I'm not trying to prove anything with this, I stand by my point that they will be better than everyone gives them credit for...For anyone that's interested I put this together by combining the Spring Depth chart from ukathletics.com with the Recruits they signed last year...Looks like they will have 6 Starters Returning on O and 5 on D...12 others on O got decent playing time last year and 11 on D...If not this year they will really have a lot of talent at the skill positions next year...They are very young and had a nice class for their standards last year...

Offense

Offensive Line

Returning Starters

C-Matt Smith-6'4", 296-SR-2 Year Starter, Named to Remington Trophy Watch List for Nations best Center

RG-Larry Warford-6'3", 343-SR-2nd Team All SEC as Soph and Junior, Preseason 1st Team O-Line

New Starters

LG-Zach West-6'4", 312-FR RS-Projected as the No. 17 offensive guard in the nation by Scout.com

RT-Kevin Mitchell-6'6", 287-JR-Started One Game Last Year, Offered by Indiana and Oregon out of HS

LT-Darrian Miller-6'5", 293-SO-Started 2 Games as a Freshman, One of the nation's top-20 offensive tackles prospects by Scout.com and one of the top-125 players nationally

In the Mix

RT-Trevino Woods-6'5", 281-SR

LG-Teven Eatmon-Nared-6'7", 342-SO-Listed as the nation's No. 59 offensive tackle prospect by Scout.com, Huge Upside

LT-John Gruenschlaeger-6'11", 339-FR RS-Walk on from Newcath, big boy, long term project

RG-Shaq Love-6'4", 310-FR RS-The No. 15 prospect in Tennessee by Rivals.com

True Freshman

LT-TJ Jones-6'6", 290-Projected as the No. 98 offensive tackle prospect by Scout.com

LG-Jordan Watson-6'4", 324-Projected as the No. 39 offensive guard prospect by Scout.com

C-Zach Myers-6'3", 285-Projected as the No. 52 offensive guard prospect by Rivals.com

RG-Jon Troth-6'5", 290-Projected as the No. 60 offensive tackle prospect by Scout.com

RT-Jordan Swindle-6'7", 310-Projected as the No. 123 offensive tackle prospect by Scout.com

 

Tight End

Returning Starters

None

New Starters

TE-Tyler Robinson-6'3", 258-JR-19 Career Catches with 2 TDs, One of the nation's top-25 tight ends as assessed by ESPN.com

TE-Jordan Aumiller-6'4", 240-JR-18 Catches for 193 Yards in 2010, Freshman All-America fourth team by Phil Steele's College Football and SEC All-Freshman Team by SEC coaches

In the Mix

TE-Ronnie Shields-6'5", 243-SO-2 Career Catches, The nation's No. 70 tight end prospect

TE-Anthony Kendrick-6'3", 241-JR-3 Career Catches, The nation's No. 30 tight end prospect by Rivals.com

 

Wide Reciever

Returning Starters

WR-La'Rod King-6'4", 222-SR-86 Career Catches for 1218 Yards and 13 TDs, Preseason 2nd Team SEC

New Starters

WR-Demarco Robinson-5'10", 158-SO-Starred in the Spring Game with 9 Catches for 196 Yards and 2 TDs, No. 87 WR prospect by Scout.com

WR-Gene McCaskill-6'0", 197-SR-41 Career Catches for 429 Yards but has battled injuries, held offers from NC State and Penn State out of HS

In the Mix

WR-EJ Fields-6'1", 199-SR-Very Good fast WR that is hopefully healthy for once going into his SR season, Has been timed at 4.41 seconds in the 40-yard dash, The nation's No. 63 athlete prospect by Rivals.com

WR-Aaron Boyd-6'4", 214-SR-6 Career Catches for 51 Yards, very disappointing career to date but not to late to turn it around

WR-Bookie Cobbins-6'0,"184-FR RS -Converted QB, very fast. The nation's No. 26 dual-threat quarterback by Rivals.com, had on offer from Michigan, has been compared to Randall Cobb

WR-Daryl Collins-5'11", 196-FR RS-Big Time Recruit, held offers from Auburn, Alabama, Miami FL, Tennessee and USC. The nation's No. 62 wide receiver by Scout.com

WR-Rashad Cunningham-6'4", 216-FR RS-Big, Fast, Physical prospect. Along with Cobbins and Collins could be the best WR class in UK History

True Freshmen

WR-DeMarcus Sweet-6'1", 192-Projected as the nations No. 129 WR prospect by Scout.com, held offers from Tennessee and West Virginia

WR-AJ Legree-6'1", 178-Projected as the nations No. 126 WR prospect by Scout.com, held an offer from Miami FL

WR-Jalen Whitlow-6'2", 202-Projected as the nations No. 57 QB prospect by Scout.com and Joker has said he is competing there, ultimately he probably ends up at WR this year

 

Quarterback

Returning Starters

QB-Morgan Newton-6'4", 240-SR-Has thrown for 1764 Yards in his career with 14 TDs and 10 INTs

New Starters

QB-Max Smith-6'4", 224-SO-Started the Last 3 Games last year and all Spring, Earned Freshman All SEC Honors

In the Mix

QB-Jacob Russell-6'4", 224-SO-Transfer from EKU, Played in seven games as a true freshman for the Colonels in 2010

True Freshmen

QB-Patrick Towles-6'5", 242-Projected as the nations No. 9 Pro QB prospect by Rivals.com and the No. 1 player in the State of KY

WR-Jalen Whitlow-6'2", 202-Projected as the nations No. 57 QB prospect by Scout.com and Joker has said he is competing there, ultimately he probably ends up at WR this year

 

Fullback

Returning Starters

FB-DJ Warren-6'0", 241-SO-Rushed Twice for 3 Yards and Caught 4 Balls for 24 Yards, cousin of Randall Cobb

 

Runningback

Returning Starters

RB-CoShik Williams-5'9", 184-SR-Has Rushed for 672 Yards in his career with 7 TDs, Has Caught 21 Balls for 70 Yards in his Career

In the Mix

RB-Raymond Sanders-5'8", 197-JR-Has Rushed for 409 Yards in his career with 3 TDs, Has Caught 21 Balls for 127 Yards in his Career. The nation's No. 15 all-purpose back by Rivals.com

RB-Josh Clemons-5'10", 205-SO-Rushed for 279 Yards and 2 TDs as a Freshman, he also Caught 4 Balls for 53 Yards. The No. 31 back by Scout.com

RB-Jonathan George-5'10", 223-JR-Has Rushed for 223 Yards and 2 TDs in his Career

True Freshman

RB-Justin Taylor-5'10", 200-Projected as the nations No. 50 RB prospect by Scout.com, also had offers from Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia and South Carolina

 

Defense

Defensive Line

Returning Starters

DE-Collins Ukwu-6'5", 258-SR-Has 68 Tackles and 4 Sacks in his Career

DT-Donte Rumph-6'3", 315-JR-31 Tackles and 1 Sack a year ago

DT-Mister Cobble-6'0", 331-JR-34 Tackles a year ago, No. 62 DT prospect by Scout.com

New Starters

DE-Taylor Wydham-6'4", 243-SR-Has 69 Tackles and 4.5 Sacks in his Career, Freshman All-America second team by Phil Steele's College Football and Freshman All-America third team by CollegeFootballNews.com

In the Mix

DE-Farrington Huguenin-6'4", 255-FR RS-Attended North Carolina Tech Preparatory Christian Academy in Charlotte for the 2010 season, Totaled an astounding 17 quarterback sacks during the season

DT-Mike Douglas-6'4", 269-SO-16 Tackles a year ago. The nation's No. 70 defensive end as rated by Scout.com, held an offer from Florida State

DT-Christian Coleman-6'3", 288-SO-21 Tackles a year ago

DT-Tristian Johnson-6'1", 272-JR-Ranked as the nation's No. 57 weakside defensive end by Rivals.com

True Freshman

DE-Langston Newton-6'4", 258-Projected as the nation's No. 40 DE by Rivals.com

DT-Thomas Chapman-6'4", 297-Projected as the nation's No. 30 DT by Rivals.com

DT-Patrick Graffree-6'4", 280-Projected as the nation's No. 162 DE by Scout.com

 

Linebacker

Returning Starters

None

New Starters

OLB-Alvin Dupree-6'4", 247-SO-21 Tackles, 2.5 Sacks, 2.5 TFL, 2 PBU a year ago. Held offers from Georgia Tech and Auburn out of HS

MLB-Avery Williamson-6'1", 245-JR-49 Tackles, 1 INT a year ago

OLB-Malcolm McDuffen-6'3", 216-SO-9 Tackles a year ago, One of the nation's top-50 outside linebackers by ESPN.com

HYBRID-Miles Simpson-6'2", 223-SO-5 Tackles a yea ago, A Top 100 RB out of HS

In the Mix

MLB-Tyler Brause-6'4", 241-SO-Converted QB

MLB-Jabari Johnson-6'1", 255-FR RS-Listed as the nation's No. 64 outside linebacker prospect by ESPN.com

OLB-Demarius Rancifer-6'2", 226-FR RS-Listed as the nation's No. 44 outside linebacker prospect by Rivals.com

HYBRID-Josh Forrest-6'3", 226-FR RS

HYBRID-Kory Brown-6'0", 208-JC TR-Junior College Transfer

True Freshman

MLB-Pancho Thomas-6'0", 225-Listed as the nation's No. 39 linebacker prospect by Rivals.com, held offers from South Carolina and Tennessee

OLB-Khalid Henderson-6'1", 220-Listed as the nation's No. 51 outside linebacker prospect by Scout.com

HYBRID-Daron Blaylock-6'1", 215-Listed as the nation's No. 92 outside linebacker prospect by Scout.com

 

Cornerback

Returning Starters

None

New Starters

CB-Cartier Rice-5'10", 187-SR-23 Tackles, 4 PBU and 1 INT in his Career. Listed as the No. 67 CB prospect by Rivals.com

CB-Marcus Caffey-5'11", 205-FR RS-Converted RB, One of the nation's top 40 running backs by Rivals.com

In the Mix

CB-Eric Dixon-5'11", 184-SO-One of the nation's top-60 cornerbacks as listed by Scout.com, held offers from Florida State and Notre Dame

CB-Eric Simmons-6'0", 200-SO-Practice squad player with great speed

True Freshman

CB-Fred Tiller-6'0", 180-Listed as the nation's No. 45 athlete by Rivals.com and the No. 71 CB prospect by Scout.com

CB-Cody Quinn-5'10", 163-Listed as the nation's No. 90 CB prospect by Scout.com

CB-Shawn Blaylock-5'10", 166-Listed as the nation's No. 77 CB prospect by Scout.com

CB-Jonathan Reed-5'9", 185-Listed as the nation's No. 101 CB prospect by Scout.com

 

Safety

Returning Starters

SS-Martavius Neloms-6'1", 188-SR-Has 140 Tackles, 3 Sacks, 2 FF and 1 INT in his Career

FS-Mike Benton-5'11", 195-SR-Has 28 Tackles and 7 PBU in his Career

In the Mix

FS-Ashley Lowery-6'1", 209-SO-16 Tackles last year. Listed as the nation's No. 59 safety prospect by Rivals.com

SS-Glenn Faulkner-6'2", 186-SO-The No. 1 prospect in Illinois as evaluated by Rivals.com, Also the No. 8 safety and overall No. 128 player in the nation by Rivals

SS-Dakotah Tyler-5'11", 207-JR-Blazing Speed, Returns after missing last season. 13 Tackles and 1 PBU in 2010

True Freshman

SS-Josh Harris-6'0", 195-The No. 8 prospect in KY, Top 60 RB

SS-Sterling Wright-5'11", 205

FS-Zack Blaylock-6'0", 188-Listed as the nation's No. 34 safety by Rivals.com

 

Special Teams

Kicker

Returning Starters

K-Craig McIntosh-6'0", 200-SR-Made 12-14 FG and 20 or 21 PATs last year, Career long 50 Yard FG

 

Punter

Returning Starters

None

New Starters

P-Joe Mansour-6'2", 191-JR-Long-range kicker had six field goals over 50 yards during his career, Made field goals of 59, 56 and 52 yards during his senior season at LaGrange High School

Here is a preview of what UK's Depth Chart looks like at this point...I'm not trying to prove anything with this, I stand by my point that they will be better than everyone gives them credit for...For anyone that's interested I put this together by combining the Spring Depth chart from ukathletics.com with the Recruits they signed last year...Looks like they will have 6 Starters Returning on O and 5 on D...12 others on O got decent playing time last year and 11 on D...If not this year they will really have a lot of talent at the skill positions next year...They are very young and had a nice class for their standards last year...

 

I understand what you're saying, but I feel you're only looking at it from the UK roster perspective. I'd be interested in your opinion of the Louisville Depth Chart as well.

I understand what you're saying, but I feel you're only looking at it from the UK roster perspective. I'd be interested in your opinion of the Louisville Depth Chart as well.

 

Im sure its equally as good as UKs...They just arent overwhelming better than UK...Joker had a nice class last year and seems to appeal to recruits, can he coach is a big question mark...They have the beginnings of a nice class this year...All of the recruits are beginning to be at the 3 Star level with several 4s mixed in as well...It used to be mostly 2s and 3s...Joker has snatched some kids from the Auburns, Alabamas, Tennessees, Miamis and Florida States back yards recently and they have been guys that those teams actually offered...I think more of the problem with UK is with the Offensive style they run...

 

I might have to see what I can put together for UofL tomorrow...I dont hate them and would be interested in researching their players as well and finding out there rankings, stats etc...

 

Recruiting stars dont mean everything but they are becoming more accurate every year, not many guys flying under the radar anymore...As a UK fan its nice to know they are competing with other SEC schools for recruits now and stealing some away...I believe UK basketball is helping tremendously with football recruiting that and Joker seems to appeal to the youth...

nkufan, here's the depth chart:

 

Louisville Cardinals

 

Preview 2012 - Depth Chart

- 2012 Louisville Preview | 2012 Louisville Offense

- 2012 Louisville Defense | 2012 Louisville Depth Chart

- Louisville Previews 2011 |2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006

Offense Returning Starters: 8

 

QB 5 Teddy Bridgewater 6-2 207 So.

4 Will Stein 5-10 183 Sr.

12 Luke Brohm 6-2 225 Jr.

 

RB 10 Dominique Brown 6-2 226 Jr. OR

28 Jeremy Wright 5-11 205 Jr. OR

32 Senorise Perry 6-0 198 Jr. OR

22 Corvin Lamb 5-11 216 So.

 

WR (X) 9 DeVante Parker 6-2 204 So.

86 Matt Milton 6-5 208 So.

29 Stephen Goodwin 6-0 191 Jr.

 

WR (H) 82 Eli Rogers 5-10 185 So.

89 Scott Radcliff 5-10 185 Sr.

87 Kai Dominguez 6-0 189 Jr.

4 Robert Clark 5-9 188 So.

 

WR (Z) 2 Michaelee Harris 6-0 192 So.

14 Andrell Smith 6-4 219 Sr.

7 Damian Copeland 6-1 188 Jr.

88 Jarrett Davis 5-10 174 Jr.

 

TE 85 Nate Nord 6-5 250 Sr.

81 Chris White 6-4 240 Jr.

82 Ryan Hubbell 6-5 224 So.

32 Gerald Christian 6-3 260 Jr.

 

LT 66 Alex Kupper 6-3 296 Sr.

76 Chase Petersen 6-4 295 RFr.

 

LG 70 John Miller 6-2 313 So.

68 Kamran joyer 6-3 282 Jr.

 

C 55 Mario Benavides 6-4 300 Sr.

54 Mike Romano 6-4 295 RFr.

 

RG 53 Jake Smith 6-3 314 So.

 

RT 79 Jamon Brown 6-4 340 So.

74 Ryan Mack 6-4 308 RFr.

71 Chris Acosta 6-3 289 So.

 

Defense Returning Starters: 10

 

Fox End 17 Marcus Smith 6-4 256 Jr.

44 B.J. Butler 6-2 275 Jr.

 

DT 93 Roy Philon 6-3 290 Jr.

95 Dominique Dishman 6-2 296 RFr.

72 Hunter Stout 6-4 285 Jr.

 

NT 99 Jamaine Brooks 6-4 330 So.

92 Brandon Dunn 6-3 285 Jr.

 

DE 90 B.J. Dubose 6-4 273 So.

94 Lorenzo Mauldin 6-4 240 So.

 

SLB 48 Deionterez Mount 6-5 243 So.

34 George Durant 6-0 234 Jr.

13 Keith Burgess 6-0 210 Fr.

 

MLB 2 Preston Brown 6-2 257 Jr.

51 Mike Privott 6-0 239 Jr.

37 Tyon Dixon 6-0 211 Jr.

 

WLB 24 Daniel Brown 6-1 234 Sr.

1 Keith Brown 6-1 229 Fr.

13 James Burgess 6-0 210 Fr.

31 Champ Lee 6-0 217 Jr.

 

CB 21 Adrian Bushell 5-11 184 Sr.

19 Terell Floyd 5-10 201 So.

18 Titus Teague 5-11 174 Jr.

 

SS 29 Hakeem Smith 6-1 180 Jr.

27 Jermaine Reve 6-0 182 RFr.

 

FS 25 Calvin Pryor 6-1 210 So.

32 Adam Witzpalek 5-11 205 Jr.

 

CB 15 Andrew Johnson 5-10 178 So.

22 Jordon Paschal 5-10 170 So.

3 Charles Gaines 5-11 187 RFr.

 

Specialists

 

PK 35 Andrew Fletcher 5-8 179 RFr.

 

P 38 Ryan Johnson 5-11 197 So.

45 John Wallace 6-0 188 RFr.

 

KR 32 Senorise Perry 6-0 198 Jr. OR

21 Adrian Bushell 5-11 184 Sr.

28 Jeremy Wright 5-11 205 Jr.

10 Dominique Brown 6-2 226 Jr.

 

PR 82 Eli Rogers 5-10 185 So. OR

89 Scott Radcliff 5-10 185 Sr

nkufan, here's the depth chart:

 

Louisville Cardinals

 

Preview 2012 - Depth Chart

- 2012 Louisville Preview | 2012 Louisville Offense

- 2012 Louisville Defense | 2012 Louisville Depth Chart

- Louisville Previews 2011 |2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006

Offense Returning Starters: 8

 

QB 5 Teddy Bridgewater 6-2 207 So.

4 Will Stein 5-10 183 Sr.

12 Luke Brohm 6-2 225 RB [/b] 10 Dominique Brown 6-2 226 Jr. OR

28 Jeremy Wright 5-11 205 Jr. OR

32 Senorise Perry 6-0 198 Jr. OR

22 Corvin Lamb 5-11 216 So.

 

WR (X) 9 DeVante Parker 6-2 204 So.

86 Matt Milton 6-5 208 So.

29 Stephen Goodwin 6-0 191 Jr.

 

WR (H) 82 Eli Rogers 5-10 185 So.

89 Scott Radcliff 5-10 185 Sr.

87 Kai Dominguez 6-0 189 Jr.

4 Robert Clark 5-9 188 So.

 

WR (Z) 2 Michaelee Harris 6-0 192 So.

14 Andrell Smith 6-4 219 Sr.

7 Damian Copeland 6-1 188 Jr.

88 Jarrett Davis 5-10 174 Jr.

 

TE 85 Nate Nord 6-5 250 Sr.

81 Chris White 6-4 240 Jr.

82 Ryan Hubbell 6-5 224 So.

32 Gerald Christian 6-3 260 LT [/b] 66 Alex Kupper 6-3 296 Sr.

76 Chase Petersen 6-4 295 RFr.

 

LG 70 John Miller 6-2 313 So.

68 Kamran joyer 6-3 282 Jr.

 

C 55 Mario Benavides 6-4 300 Sr.

54 Mike Romano 6-4 295 RFr.

 

RG 53 Jake Smith 6-3 314 So.

 

RT 79 Jamon Brown 6-4 340 So.

74 Ryan Mack 6-4 308 RFr.

71 Chris Acosta 6-3 289 So.

 

Defense Returning Starters: 10

 

Fox End 17 Marcus Smith 6-4 256 Jr.

44 B.J. Butler 6-2 275 Jr.

 

DT 93 Roy Philon 6-3 290 Jr.

95 Dominique Dishman 6-2 296 RFr.

72 Hunter Stout 6-4 285 Jr.

 

NT 99 Jamaine Brooks 6-4 330 So.

92 Brandon Dunn 6-3 285 Jr.

 

DE 90 B.J. Dubose 6-4 273 So.

94 Lorenzo Mauldin 6-4 240 So.

 

SLB 48 Deionterez Mount 6-5 243 So.

34 George Durant 6-0 234 Jr.

13 Keith Burgess 6-0 210 Fr.

 

MLB 2 Preston Brown 6-2 257 Jr.

51 Mike Privott 6-0 239 Jr.

37 Tyon Dixon 6-0 211 Jr.

 

WLB 24 Daniel Brown 6-1 234 Sr.

1 Keith Brown 6-1 229 Fr.

13 James Burgess 6-0 210 Fr.

31 Champ Lee 6-0 217 Jr.

 

CB 21 Adrian Bushell 5-11 184 Sr.

19 Terell Floyd 5-10 201 So.

18 Titus Teague 5-11 174 Jr.

 

SS 29 Hakeem Smith 6-1 180 Jr.

27 Jermaine Reve 6-0 182 RFr.

 

FS 25 Calvin Pryor 6-1 210 So.

32 Adam Witzpalek 5-11 205 Jr.

 

CB 15 Andrew Johnson 5-10 178 So.

22 Jordon Paschal 5-10 170 So.

3 Charles Gaines 5-11 187 RFr.

 

Specialists

 

PK 35 Andrew Fletcher 5-8 179 RFr.

 

P 38 Ryan Johnson 5-11 197 So.

45 John Wallace 6-0 188 RFr.

 

KR 32 Senorise Perry 6-0 198 Jr. OR

21 Adrian Bushell 5-11 184 Sr.

28 Jeremy Wright 5-11 205 Jr.

10 Dominique Brown 6-2 226 Jr.

 

PR 82 Eli Rogers 5-10 185 So. OR

89 Scott Radcliff 5-10 185 Sr

 

Thanks! Now I just have to look up the true frosh and some stats...I think I will also look into how many of each star level recruits are on the rosters and the offers they had from other schools for both UK and UofL as a talent comparison...I dont think there is a big talent difference but rather an advantage on the UofL side in X's and O's...

Thanks! Now I just have to look up the true frosh and some stats...I think I will also look into how many of each star level recruits are on the rosters and the offers they had from other schools for both UK and UofL as a talent comparison...I dont think there is a big talent difference but rather an advantage on the UofL side in X's and O's...

 

I'm looking forwad to it! Thanks!

or transfer. Unless Joker figures out a way to get a decent O-Line into Lexington, they are going to be the worst team in the SEC East. Vandy has leap frogged them.

 

All of this is true.

Still trying to figure our what about UK was appealing to Towles. What were his other offers?

 

As you know Towles grandpa is the former U.S. Senator from KY...I'm quite sure the family grew up getting tix to UK football & basketball games. UK was also high on him early in the recruiting process...

I picked four - Kent, Western, Samford, and they'll steal one SEC win (although I'm not sure which one).

 

I agree with this.