Attrition hit 2010 class hard in first two years

This is the third in a four-part series examining the signing classes for the Kentucky football team from 2008 to '11. Taking another look at how the previous recruiting classes panned out can help explain where the program has been and where it might be this year.

Below is a brief summary of each player's career to this point. Players are organized into groups according to how their careers played out, then listed alphabetically.

Kentucky's 2010 signing class has many similarities to its 2009 class. There were 27 signees in this class - one less than 2009 - and 11 players from each class are no longer on the team. Kentucky signed 54 players in those two years (Donte Rumph signed twice), and only 27 players remain from those two groups. Defensive coordinator Rick Minter's arrival and his implementation of a new system may have caused some attrition in this group; nine of 11 players to leave the team were defensive players.

Many players from the 2010 class are just coming into their own and will likely be major contributors for the first time this season. Most of the players in the 2010 signing class will either be juniors or redshirt sophomores this year. They've provided depth in previous years, but players like Avery Williamson, Miles Simpson and Tyler Robinson will see more playing time this year.

There's still time for those players and their teammates to replace some of the luster this class lost when highly-touted signees like Brandon Gainer and Tim Patterson left the program. It was the No. 50 class in the country, according to Rivals.com.

Still on team

Tyler Brause: Listed second at middle linebacker behind Avery Williamson. Could play significant role this season in revamped linebacking corps.

Alvin Davis: Listed third string at defensive tackle in spring camp.

Mike Douglas: Defensive end showed potential as part-time starter in 2011 because of injuries to Collins Ukwu. Appears well-positioned moving forward.

Teven Eatmon-Nared: Listed second on depth chart at left guard in spring practice. Massive 6-foot-7 lineman appeared too slow to make impact at tackle.

Farrington Huguenin: Defensive end was listed third on depth chart to open spring practice, but likely helped himself with his performance.

Jabari Johnson: Linebacker missed contact in spring while recovering from injury. Could see field this fall or could be a bit player.

Joe Mansour: LaGrange kicker hasn't been able to beat Craig McIntosh for full-time kicking duties.

Malcolm McDuffen: Undersized linebacker elicited comparisons to a young Danny Trevathan while filling a backup role in 2011. Should start at weakside linebacker in 2012.

Tyler Robinson: Big tight end played some in 2011 and is a good blocker, but will have to fight with others for playing time going forward.

Donte Rumph: Finally made it to campus after signing here, on his third attempt. Returning starter at defensive tackle and key cog.

Raymond Sanders: Diminutive running back was starter to open season in 2011 but suffered many injuries. Should play a role of some import in 2012.

Ronnie Shields: Along with Anthony Kendrick and Tyler Robinson, in the mix to start at tight end this season. Has played sparingly until now.

Eric Simmons: Listed as second string corner at open of spring practice despite not seeing significant playing time previously.

Miles Simpson: Currently the starter at the hybrid safety/linebacker position. Saw limited playing time behind Winston Guy a year ago.

Avery Williamson: Vocal leader will be the starting middle linebacker this fall. In the rotation in 2011, finishing fifth on team with 49 tackles despite not starting a game.

Exhausted eligibility

Mychal Bailey: Big-hit safety from LaGrange started in 2010 before falling to second string as a senior in 2011. Was mediocre as a kick returner last fall.

No longer with program

Nermin Delic: Defensive lineman left team in Summer 2011, rejoined team in spring 2012 before being dismissed that same semester.

Brandon Gainer: Left the team in spring 2012 after missing practice to focus on academics. Never saw significant playing time.

Josh Gibbs: Former junior-college signee, safety left team in fall camp of 2011; appeared to be unhappy with playing time.

Justin Henderson: Hybrid defensive end/linebacker never threatened for playing time. Left team during spring of 2012.

Brice Laughlin: South Carolina defensive tackle had a brief, quiet career for Wildcats.

Tim McAdoo: Colossal defensive tackle didn't qualify as a freshman and attended Itawamba Community College in Mississippi. He has signed this past winter with Division II Shaw University in North Carolina, according to Itawamba's website.

Tim Patterson: Linebacker greyshirted in 2010, then redshirted in 2011 before leaving team in spring 2012.

Jerrell Priester: Cornerback had 22 tackles, three pass breakups at East Central (Mississippi) Community College last year after leaving team in fall camp.

Jewell Ratliff: A 2009 high school graduate who signed late in 2010, linebacker had two tackles in 2010, but never saw much playing time with the defense while playing behind Trevathan. Played at Holmes Community College in Mississippi last season.

Alex Smith: Cincinnati-area tight end played in four games at Georgia State in 2011, did not catch a pass.

Dale Trimble: Cornerback quietly left team after 2011 season. Never saw significant playing time.

Map below, compiled by Aaron Smith, shows high school, prep school or junior-college location of each 2010 UK signee.

View UK football 2010 recruiting class in a larger map