Here is a 99-yard TD by Bush from last season:

Check out his highlights, too:http://www.hudl.com/athlete/1666155/highlights/37732377

Up until this point, I assumed that Collins was simply underutilized in former offensive coordinator Randy Sanders’ scheme. The majority of the routes he was being asked to run didn’t necessarily fit his skillset. I would characterize Collins as best suited to be a middle-to-downfield threat wide receiver and he wasn’t running many of those routes the past two years.

Collins was asked during spring practice, after he had gotten to digest the playbook and had a couple of practices under his belt, if he thought he would have more success in this offense.

“Yes, I do. The ball is in the air a lot and each receiver is able to show what they are capable of,” He said.

To me, that said that Collins was more comfortable in what he was being asked to do. The spread offense is made for guys like Collins and I assumed an ascension was on the horizon for one of the most talented guys on the team.

With a new crops of wide receivers coming to Lexington within the next couple of months, Collins doesn’t have much time to show what he’s capable of if he plans on retaining his starting position. Guys like Javess Blue, Alex Montgomery and Jeff Badet have the talent and hunger to compete for a position immediately. If Collins is overtaken by those guys, and with guys like Snodgrass and Berrios the following year, there could be a point where he would only see the field in a special team role.

I’m honestly not sure why Collins has not taken a step forward in his progression. The uncertainty of the quarterback position could be playing a part, but Collins has now had a chance to work with all three in a game situation, so that isn’t really an excuse. Whatever it is, Collins has to step up in upcoming fall camp in order to retain his spot.

- Three offers have gone out to 2015 prospects. Kendrell McFadden, a 6’3, 178 lb Safety from McArthur HS in Hollywood, FL. Other offers include Clemson, Florida, Florida State, Miami, Ohio State, WVU & more. Highlights:http://www.hudl.com/athlete/1866979/highlights/40240373

CeCe Jefferson, a 6’3, 260 lb DT from Baker County HS in Glen St. Mary, FL. Alabama, Auburn, Florida, Florida St, Ohio State, South Carolina have also offered.

Tyree Kinnel, a 6′, 190 lb CB from Wayne HS in Huber Heights, OH. Kentucky is his first offer. He is a teammate of commit Dorian Hendrix. Highlights: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2jaq_KhQnbk

- As I’ve mentioned here many times, the state of Kentucky has a number of nice looking RB prospects for 2015. Damien Harris has been considered “elite” for a while now. I think Warren East’s Eli Brown is rapidly approaching elite status as well. Alabama was just in to visit with him and he already has UK, Vandy and Ohio State offers.

- Kentucky has visited two of the top offensive prospects on its board this week in Georgia RB Stanley “Boom” Williams and North Carolina WR Braxton Berrios, who was visited by Coach Neal Brown today.

- Former UK commit Denzel Ware will visit UK June 9-11. Kentucky is having a big camp with recruiting visits lined up at that time. He is also looking to visit Florida, Georgia and Ole Miss this summer.

- Cincy DB Mike Edwards visited UK with his parents yesterday and the visit reportedly went very well. I’d be somewhat surprised if Edwards wasn’t a Cat by the end of the month.

- 2014 Louisville Valley QB Robert Jones will camp with UK June 8th. Coach Brown has been keeping in touch with Jones. He confirmed to me that UK is looking at him as an athlete, something he said he would be open to if he doesn’t get an offer from a school as a QB sometime soon.

Donte Rumph, Kentucky: He had his spring cut short by shoulder surgery, but the 6-3, 323-pound Rumph is an imposing figure in the middle. If he’s healthy, look for him to be on a lot of teams’ draft boards.

Expect a huge season from Rumph with a healthy Mister Cobble and two beast coming off the edge in Dupree and Smith.

‘On the football field, Sindelar — who runs the 40-yard dash in 4.7 seconds — plays quarterback. He threw for 2,961 yards and 32 scores by completing 203 of 327 passes last year and ran for 447 yards and seven scores on 65 carries. In the Class AA state title game loss to Newport Central Catholic, he was 21 of 29 passing for 258 yards and two scores and rushed 14 times for 54 yards and a touchdown.

“He improved so much as a sophomore just by being able to see the field better and understanding coverages,” Barnes said. “He developed a knack for picking up and reading defenses. He ran the ball a little bit more this past year, but his pocket awareness was better. He had a good year as a freshman, but just having a year in this offense helped him tremendously.”

He’s been getting what Barnes calls “quite a bit of attention” from college recruiters, including those at Kentucky and Louisville. Murray and Austin Peay have expressed serious interest, too. Of course, he might get even more attention in baseball. Several pro baseball scouts says there is no reason to doubt his draft potential

“I think he’s going to get a lot of looks in football. He had a really good state championship game and a lot of coaches saw him play in that game,” Barnes said. “I think next year, he’ll get quite a few offers. I have really not talked to him about the baseball part. I have sat down with his parents and talked about the football part. They just want what is best for Elijah. They are very open about his future. I think his junior year in baseball will be big.”

The first prospect is JarMarkus Sims (6’1, 213), a Safety from Dothan (Dothan). Kentucky is his first offer. Highlights:http://www.hudl.com/athlete/1393581/highlights/37443382

The second prospect is Richard McBryde (6’2, 210), an OLB from Troy (Henderson). Kentucky is his first offer as well. Highlights:http://www.hudl.com/athlete/1898433/highlights/17321400

Newton Signs With New York Giants

Fifth Wildcat From 2012 Senior Class to Join National Football League

LEXINGTON, Ky. – The New York Giants announced Thursday that former Kentucky quarterback MorganNewton has signed a free-agent contract as a tight end.

Newton becomes the fifth player from the 2012 UK senior class to sign with an NFL team.  He joins offensive guard Larry Warford, a third-round draft choice of the Detroit Lions, and additional free-agent signees – defensive back Martavius Neloms (Detroit), center Matt Smith (Atlanta) and defensive end Collins Ukwu (Minnesota).  A total of 45 Wildcats have signed NFL contracts since 2008.

Newton played quarterback for almost all of his time as a Wildcat.  During his career, he completed more than 50 percent of his passes for 1,837 yards and 15 touchdowns. He was named to the Southeastern Conference All-Freshman Team in 2009. He also saw brief action at tight end during his senior season.

In the classroom, Newton was an outstanding student.  The native of Indianapolis, Ind., completed his degree in management and was a member of the SEC Academic Honor Roll.  Following graduation, he was named to the Hampshire Honor Society by the College Football Foundation in recognition of his football and academic success.  He was also very active in community service and was named to the SEC Community Service Team.

“No. There’s a lot of work to be done between now and then. We’re not ready. Western would whoop us right now,” Stoops said of the Aug. 31 opener in Nashville against Western Kentucky.

But don’t worry. He says the Cats will be ready Aug. 31.

“We’re not there yet, but we plan on being there. We’ve got a lot of work to do between now and then and our players are embracing that process,” the coach said.  “They’re enjoying it. They’re looking forward to getting involved in the summer program. They’re excited about that. And then we’ll be in the fall. We’ll be ready.

Obviously, coach is right. There is a lot to get done between now and September. Adding new players and  installing more schemes are two big ones I can think of.

-Kentucky offered a 2015 prospect out of Georgia today in OL Chuma Edoga (6’3, 267) out of MacEachern HS in Powder Springs. Clemson, East Carolina, Georgia Tech and Illinois have also offered.

Highlights: http://www.hudl.com/athlete/1818272/highlights/26927373

- Bailey Granier, a 6’7, 320 lb OT from South Lafourche HS in Galliano, LA. Other offers include Alabama, Florida State, Mississippi State and Vandy.

Highlights:http://www.hudl.com/athlete/437787/highlights/28672374

- Lima, OH DB Darius West tells 247′s Steve Wiltfong that he wants to make his decision sometime in the next one to two weeks. Barring a huge surprise, he will be a Cat.

- Reggie Bonnafon told Steve Jones that UK Coaches Brown and Eliot will be at Trinity’s workout today.

- Coach Ansley will be at the early morning practice of Georgia DTJamiyus Pittman tdday.

His best fit is Weakside Linebacker- You rarely see a guy that’s over 200 lbs. playing safety in high school, which is testament to Walker’s speed and ball skills. He’ll move down a level in Kentucky’s defense, specifically at weakside linebacker, with the ability to play some strongside. His days at playing safety will help him against tough covers, such as speedy tight ends or slot wide receivers.

Run-stuffing is a specialty-  It’s tough for a safety to get from the third level to meet a ball carrier at the LOS, or even playing in the box and making a run stop, but Walker does it routinely in his highlights. He’s as physical as I’ve ever seen a prospect and will fit well as an SEC linebacker.

He’ll provide immediate competition at the LB position- I catch myself saying a lot these days that a recent signee will provide immediate competition, but with the influx of talent that the coaching staff is bringing up, it’s a pretty solid statement in most cases. Walker will immediately challenge Khalid Henderson but could have to contribute else where until Henderson’s time is up at UK. Until then, Walker will be an excellent option as a special teams gunner and strongside linebacker.

Another great pickup by the coaching staff here.