Covington Catholic TE Willie Rodriguez commits to the University of Kentucky

[DevilMayCare]

We already knew blue and white looks good on him. Park Hills ➡ Lexington.

 

[theguru]

Congrats Willie, I love it!

Cats! Cats! Cats!

[MaddenCurse44]

Congratulations! Joining Aba Selm and the other Kentucky players! 

[Bluesport]

So happy for Willie and his family. 

[sportsfan41]

Good deal.  Looking forward to seeing him at UK.

[Colonels_Wear_Blue]

Not gonna lie, I'm a little disappointed that he picked UK. He seemed like he was such an afterthought to Stoops and company when it came to giving him an offer.  Then all of the sudden once they did offer him (6 full months after he got his first handful of D1 offers, and after their first two or three picks as tight end passed on UK), Kentucky turned to giving this whole song and dance about "Ohhhh, we want you here in Lexington SO much! We neeeed you as a Cat, Willie!"

[MaddenCurse44]

8 hours ago, Colonels_Wear_Blue said:

Not gonna lie, I'm a little disappointed that he picked UK. He seemed like he was such an afterthought to Stoops and company when it came to giving him an offer.  Then all of the sudden once they did offer him (6 full months after he got his first handful of D1 offers, and after their first two or three picks as tight end passed on UK), Kentucky turned to giving this whole song and dance about "Ohhhh, we want you here in Lexington SO much! We neeeed you as a Cat, Willie!"

UK is pretty heavy at TE already.

[Breds82]

Quit being a buzzkill. Schools do this to players every year. I'm pumped he accepted, but it also doesn't mean he won't back out if he has an even bigger Senior season. We kept hearing last year that UK had a room full of NFL TE's, and they have alot of TE's already, as said. Hopefully they'll utilize a few of them way more than the past two seasons.

[UKato91]

32 minutes ago, Breds82 said:

Quit being a buzzkill. Schools do this to players every year. I'm pumped he accepted, but it also doesn't mean he won't back out if he has an even bigger Senior season. We kept hearing last year that UK had a room full of NFL TE's, and they have a lot of TE's already, as said. Hopefully they'll utilize a few of them way more than the past two seasons.

I have to agree with you and add this to it.  As a sophomore he didn't see a lot of varsity time.  Then, he only played in 5 1/2 games as a junior before breaking his elbow early in the Cooper game.  He missed the higher profile matchups like the Highlands and Ryle games along with all of the playoffs.   In a nutshell he received all of these offers off of 5.5 games, his physical stature and limited stats.   For some of the big D1 schools he might still be considered a gamble.   I do think more offers will come halfway through this coming season once he has a few more games under his belt.   Selfishly in my heart I hope he stays at UK, but my head says otherwise.  

[Falcon Pride]

15 hours ago, Colonels_Wear_Blue said:

Not gonna lie, I'm a little disappointed that he picked UK. He seemed like he was such an afterthought to Stoops and company when it came to giving him an offer.  Then all of the sudden once they did offer him (6 full months after he got his first handful of D1 offers, and after their first two or three picks as tight end passed on UK), Kentucky turned to giving this whole song and dance about "Ohhhh, we want you here in Lexington SO much! We neeeed you as a Cat, Willie!"

So for you it’s about the timing?

Curious as to why that matters? The kid is going to the school he wants and you’re complaining.

Good Luck to WR and do your thing!

[Kenny Powers]

Does Willie currently, or are there plans for him this coming year, to play defense at CCH? 

[Colonels_Wear_Blue]

1 hour ago, Kenny Powers said:

Does Willie currently, or are there plans for him this coming year, to play defense at CCH? 

Essentially everyone on the team plays both ways. Willie is a linebacker. Had significant playing time as a sophomore, and started last year until he was injured. 

[Kenny Powers]

4 hours ago, Colonels_Wear_Blue said:

Essentially everyone on the team plays both ways. Willie is a linebacker. Had significant playing time as a sophomore, and started last year until he was injured. 

I thought that was the case. The reason I asked was because with Willie's wrestling background, overall athleticism, and size (not being totally on par with SEC TEs), I could see him playing LB at the next level. By no means am I saying he couldn't play TE in the SEC, but UK has a need at LB and Willie's athleticism for a LB  doesn't grow on trees and UK has a packed TE room. Just a thought... 

[BirdDaddy]

This is awesome. Congrats to this young man. I'm assuming the recruiting biz can be a tough one and hard to digest at times. People telling you other bigger Schools like Georgia and Bama were a sure lock and then he Commits to Kentucky. Some people just don't have a clue. I personally love that he is staying in State. 

[RedHawk]

So excited for Willie and his family! Staying in state at the school you grew up rooting for is amazing! Plus his huge family will be close and able to go to a bunch of games. I believe his sister is headed south to play college soccer.  Hoping he crushes it this year!