Did you see him kick at Bell County 2 years ago? I'm referring to the kid from Knoxville Central. He is still the 2nd best kicker I've ever seen, just behind Aaron Petry. Kicking at the college level is completely different, no block, more pressure, etc. I'm sure Merrick will do good wherever he ends up hopefully in Blue, but do not dismiss UK's current kicker because of last year.

 

Seber did an incredible job that year. He won the MVP of the defunct City/County. Gave Dudley a vision for what his kicker could do in future. Seber's effectiveness in high school was benefited by the 2 in. block that he used...I believe....and then when he transferred to ground at UK many kickers struggle with that transition. I believe the article said that Merrick kicked off the ground at all these colleges this summer and was hitting over 60 yard fgs. off ground. I also heard that at Lousiville last month working out for Nelson in kicking drills.....was 100% on all fgs with all but one on the chart at dead-center!

 

I think that Merrick has told Coach Ortsmeyer that he would be willing to redshirt at KY and that would allow Lonas to finish out. Good move for the Cats. The only thing I would caution him about is that KY is short on schollys this year anyway....I heard they PULLED a KY kids scholarship offer this week ....??? Sure would be risky to turn others down for a redshirt and then have them change their mind.....and all the other schools having found someone else! I think blue and white is in his blood as a Bobcat....and we all would love to see him stay in Kentucky!

I believe the article said that Merrick kicked off the ground at all these colleges this summer and was hitting over 60 yard fgs. off ground.

 

 

That will make for a smooth transtion to college football. Sounds as if Merrick has an eye to the future already. Good kid and I hope UK don't let him slip away.

 

Talking about Sieber that year his kickoff's went inside the 5 most of the time, Merricks usually go into the back or out of the endzone. His leg appears to be stronger. :thumb:

That will make for a smooth transtion to college football. Sounds as if Merrick has an eye to the future already. Good kid and I hope UK don't let him slip away.

 

Talking about Sieber that year his kickoff's went inside the 5 most of the time, Merricks usually go into the back or out of the endzone. His leg appears to be stronger. :thumb:

 

They may have just went inside the 5 but I swear they looked like they were going to hit the moon they were so high.

UK has Tydlacka on scholarship as well. Sounds like a pretty talented kid but I'm not gonna lose sleep if the Cats don't offer.

UK has Tydlacka on scholarship as well. Sounds like a pretty talented kid but I'm not gonna lose sleep if the Cats don't offer.

 

Sounds like you are not much of a UK fan. I hate to see any of the good players in our state get away. Any good football player that is home boy needs to be in one of our state programs.

What about the kid from Middlesboro several years ago? 1998. Can't remember his name, but he was the best I have seen in person. Granted, I've not seen that many great kickers.

 

Dustin Wynn I think was his name. He committed to UK but not sure if he ever made it on campus. Seems like I remember some qualification issues or something of the sort........

Edited August 15, 200818 yr by Ram
Rule 13

I like this quote, nothing like putting a little pressue on the Cats:

 

“If Kentucky would offer me in the next few weeks, I’d probably committ,” he said. “But they’ve been kind of dragging their feet a little bit and I’ve been out there looking for the best place for me. If Kentucky doesn’t want me there’s not a lot I can say about that.”

 

This seems to be a pattern for UK. They let a kicker from our area get away from them a few years ago.

I hope the folks in charge make a serious effort to make Merrick a Wildcat.

UK has Tydlacka on scholarship as well. Sounds like a pretty talented kid but I'm not gonna lose sleep if the Cats don't offer.

 

 

If you won't lose sleep over missing out on a solid kicker, then please don't complain if there are kicking woes at UK.

 

Personally, I think it's one of the most important positions on the field.

If you won't lose sleep over missing out on a solid kicker, then please don't complain if there are kicking woes at UK.

 

Personally, I think it's one of the most important positions on the field.

 

I agree totally:thumb:

I agree totally:thumb:

:thumb:

 

Just thought this would be a nice watch for those interested in this story.

It would be nice to see UK offer him a scholarship. Id love to see another Bell Co. boy get to play for UK. Hes obviously a great kicker at the high school level. By what Ive seen I tend to believe he will be very good in college as well.

 

Just thought this would be a nice watch for those interested in this story.

 

Sure is exciting to see how he will do this year. Film was as Junior. He is a lot stronger and seems to be kicking in practice farther than he did last year at this time. I found another link when I went to look at the highlight link.

Here it is:

 

 

I remember this other kick...I believe it was his sophomore year, the last time that Bell played Corbin:

 

Sounds like you are not much of a UK fan. I hate to see any of the good players in our state get away. Any good football player that is home boy needs to be in one of our state programs.

 

If you won't lose sleep over missing out on a solid kicker, then please don't complain if there are kicking woes at UK.

 

Personally, I think it's one of the most important positions on the field.

 

I'll be the judge of how big of a UK fan I am, thank you. He sounds like a great player and I believe he is. But we've already got Tydlacka who seems to have a promising future. You can't just dish out scholarships to kickers year in and year out.

 

I also think it's a HUGE position. But just because I'm not hounding UK to offer this kid a scholarship doesn't mean I'm judging this kid's talent.

I'll be the judge of how big of a UK fan I am, thank you. He sounds like a great player and I believe he is. But we've already got Tydlacka who seems to have a promising future. You can't just dish out scholarships to kickers year in and year out.

 

I also think it's a HUGE position. But just because I'm not hounding UK to offer this kid a scholarship doesn't mean I'm judging this kid's talent.

 

I thought Tydlaka was recruited primarily as a punter when they had Seber as pk? What year are the KY kickers currently?