You already know who Kentucky's main stars are going into the 2017 season. But who will be the Cats' top breakout player in 2017?
That's what the Cats Illustrated staff discusses in this edition of the Round Table.
Who will be Kentucky's breakout player of the year in 2017?
T.J. Walker, Basketball Recruiting Analyst: A few weeks ago I said that Tavin Richardson would be UK's breakout offensive player, but given the news of Dorian Baker it's likely that Richardson will have the platform to be the breakout player of the entire team. If Richardson has the season that I think he will have, he may turn heads in the SEC. As a 6-foot-3, 213-pound receiver he has the body to succeed. His hands are there, too. Watch him put it together on the field this season.
Jeff Drummond, Managing Editor: Even before Dorian Baker's unfortunate ankle injury and surgery which will likely cause him to miss the entire season, I liked Kayaune Ross to be the Cats' breakout player on the offensive side of the ball this season. The 6-foot-6, 225-pound receiver is poised to be a big playmaker, especially in the red zone where he's a matchup nightmare for slower linebackers or smaller defensive backs. Almost every junior college receiver the Cats have ever had was markedly better in Year 2. I expect the same to be true of Ross.
Justin Rowland, Publisher: Picking a receiver definitely makes sense, and I'll do that as well. Only my pick is Lynn Bowden, who could double as newcomer of the year. He'd probably be a near-unanimous pick for newcomer of the year, but I think the breakout label fits. Bowden will make the rare transition from high school to SEC football without missing a beat and he'll be a huge offensive option for Kentucky in his first year with the program. I think he'll be a factor right away and will only get better over the course of the season. Kentucky's going to put him in positions where it will be very easy to get him the ball and I have no doubts about his ability to make people miss and pick up yards after the catch or from the Wildcat.
