SCOUTING THE COMMITS: Defensive tackle Quinton Bohanna
Quality defensive tackle prospects are tough to come by for all but the top handful of recruiting juggernauts in the sport.
That's one reason Quinton Bohanna could be considered one of the Cats' most important commitments.
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SENIOR YEAR: Cordova (Tenn.) finished the year 12-2 (6-1 district) and the Bohanna was part of an overpowering defense that dominated most opponents on the schedule. While Cordova lost to Whitehaven 42-19 in the semifinals of the state playoffs that game wasn't indicative of the way they played for most of the season. Cordova surrendered no more than 21 points in any other game during the season, pitching three consecutive shutouts in September.
Bohanna's best moment was a 10-tackle, five-sack performance against Collierville (Tenn.), but he was fantastic from the start of the season to its conclusion. Bohanna had 19 sacks as a senior in 2016, even after sitting out Cordova's first game due to an ejection for a helmet-to-helmet hit in a playoff game the previous year. He had 91 tackles (52 solo) and 24 tackles for loss.
STRENGTHS: Start with Bohanna's build. He's in the ballpark of 6-foot-4 and 315 pounds with a massive, hulking upper body that makes him look like he's already been in a college weight program for a couple of years.
Then move on to his production. It speaks to how active Bohanna is, and the motor he brings to every game. You don't rack up 24 tackles for loss and 19 sacks by taking many plays off, and Bohanna is regarded as someone who plays with a nasty streak.
Bohanna will be capable of playing either defensive tackle or nose guard for the Cats. He can stay on the field regardless of the front or down and distance situation.
His explosive power is impressive, as are his first couple of steps. He gets off the ball with the kind of quickness you rarely see in an interior defensive lineman of his size, at his age, and he is very fast in pursuit. Bohanna is the kind of defensive tackle who can track down backs on screen plays.
He plays with great awareness when he's teeing off after the quarterback. He doesn't often overpursue and has displayed good agility and footwork once he gets into the backfield.
Bohanna has told Cats Illustrated that working with Jimmy Brumbaugh has already proven valuable. After Kentucky's June 4 camp in Lexington, Bohanna came away feeling like Brumbaugh had given him good instruction on becoming more "violent with (his) hands" and "reaction quickly to the O-Line."
AREAS FOR IMPROVEMENT: Bohanna has all the size, strength, quickness and agility you could want. He has improved markedly in certain technical areas, such as the ones he mentioned (hands in particular), but technique is something he can continue to refine.
Bohanna will also benefit from working in Kentucky's weight program. While he's already strong, he will be able to refine his body, transforming any bad weight to good, with the help of UK's trainers.
NOTES: Bohanna also has offers from Louisville, Cincinnati, Memphis and Southern Miss, among others.
D.J. Eliot was Bohanna's lead and area recruiter. Defensive line coach Jimmy Brumbaugh also played a large role in Bohanna's recruitment.
Louisville has continued to pursue Bohanna even after his commitment to Kentucky.
Bohanna has performed at a high level for several years now. He was named to the 6A All-State team in Tennessee after his sophomore season.