Cats Illustrated takes an in-depth look at Kentucky's Class of 2017 early enrollees, who get started in Lexington this week.
FORECAST: It's unlikely that Clark would compete for the starting quarterback job in 2016. The emergence of Stephen Johnson makes that unlikely. However, there is a plausible path to playing time if injuries were to happen. Drew Barker's situation is still uncertain. Gunnar Hoak has yet to play in a game. Clark will benefit from the extra semester in Lexington if he's unexpectedly thrust into early action, but the early time will help him even if he redshirts, as he probably will.
FORECAST: Kentucky's class is short on linebackers so Davis is an important recruit for the Cats. It's in a situation that's similar but not identical to Eli Brown's two years ago. Brown had an ACL injury that he wasn't 100-percent recovered from, so that's a significant difference, but he was right around the same weight that Davis is at now. The most likely scenario is that Davis redshirts, but even if he doesn't push for time until the 2018 season, the extra semester will help, especially in the weight room.
FORECAST: A redshirt is also likely but not assured for Dort, who steps into a cornerback situation that isn't ideal for early playing time. Chris Westry and Derrick Baity are likely to return as Kentucky's starting cornerbacks in 2016, and backing them up are redshirting freshmen Jordan Griffin and Davonte Robinson. Dort is a field corner all the way. Coming in early will allow him to put on needed weight and begin to learn the defense.
FORECAST: Koback will benefit from the early semester in terms of his rehabilitation. He broke his tibia and fibula in a late September high school football game. Recently Koback told Cats Illustrated that he should be back on a treadmill very soon, perhaps as early as this week, and he's optimistic that he'll be ready for spring football. The staff will probably play it safe with him, but Koback would be a valuable fourth scholarship running back. Benny Snell returns as the likely starter in 2017, with A.J. Rose and Sihiem King probably battling for second string carries in the spring. If Koback is healthy, and when he's healthy, he could join the mix as early as this year. If he's not 100-percent and the players in front of him hold up, a redshirt is possible.
FORECAST: Johnson didn't commit to Kentucky with the expectation that he would sit for a year. He committed to play, and Kentucky took him with the expectation that he'll play. Although Johnson said he was recruited to play cornerback, it would be a surprise if he doesn't see significant time at safety, because the Cats lose a couple of players there and Darius West's recurring injury issues can't be ignored. It's very likely that Johnson plays in his first year at Kentucky, because he only has two seasons of eligibility, so this extra semester will be very valuable for him.
It's conceivable that Thomas could play as a true freshman. Kentucky could use a slot receiver like Thomas and although there are a lot of older players in front of him Thomas could be a candidate to play early, especially with the extra semester. Whether he plays or redshirts, Thomas is very likely to take on a big role by the 2018 season at the latest, because Kentucky loses so many receivers after 2017. So either way, he'll have to be an early-impact player.
FORECAST: Wood has been around Darin Hinshaw's quarterback meetings a few times before and he'll benefit from a continued exposure to coaching, weight work and more at this early stage. A redshirt is likely for Wood, who is now one of five scholarship quarterbacks in the program, so he and Danny Clark are likely to start at a very similar spot.
