Larry Warford

LEXINGTON - Senior center Matt Smith has had to miss two practices most weeks during spring practice. To compensate, UK has used senior guard Larry Warford, an all-Southeastern Conference performer the last two years, at his spot on those days. “I think it gave Larry an appreciation for center. He's always joking with me about how I¿have the easiest job. He messes up more now than he has his whole career here,” said Smith. “He definitely told me it is a different perspective because when he is on one side and looking at what is going on, he can make all the calls even for me. “But when he's in the middle and having to make calls everywhere, it's a little confusing.

For Larry Warford, what he thought was the right decision turned out to be exactly the right thing for him. The University of Kentucky offensive lineman was picked in the third round Friday by the Detroit Lions with the 65th overall pick - the third pick in the third round - and is going to a team that listed bolstering its offensive line as a pre-draft goal. To understand how impressive Warford's pick, consider two things: n Randall Cobb, one of the best players ever at UK, was taken with the 64th overall pick by Green Bay two years ago and has blossomed into a NFL star.

Back when Larry Warford played for Madison Central, offensive line coach Mark Scenters had a unique, but effective, way of motivating his star lineman - a Wendy's Baconator. “We used to have a running deal that if any lineman graded out well and played really well, it would result in him getting a big burger,” said Scenters, now the head coach at Garrard County. “He got a few for sure, and probably deserved more than I could afford. At least now he shouldn't have to worry about how many he buys.

For the last time in his coaching career, Joker Phillips left the Commonwealth Stadium turf Saturday and this time he had reason to smile because his team won 34-3. However, it was also bittersweet because the win over Samford was only UK's second of the season and came two weeks after athletics director Mitch Barnhart announced that Phillips would not be back for the final two years on his coaching contract. If Kentucky had dominated the line of scrimmage more often the way it did this game, perhaps Phillips would still have the job he always considered his dream job. He came to home-state UK as a player from Franklin and spent time at UK as a graduate assistant, position coach, recruiting coordinator, offensive coordinator and head coach in waiting under Rich Brooks.

Three Kentucky seniors - linebacker Danny Trevathan, safety Winston Guy and offensive lineman Larry Warford - were named all-Southeastern Conference performers by The Associated Press on Monday. Trevathan was selected as a first-team all-SEC linebacker, while Warford and Guy were named to the second team. Trevathan had 143 tackles during the season for the Wildcats, leading the SEC in tackles for the second-consecutive season. Trevathan ranked fifth in the nation in tackles with an 11.92 average per game and led the nation's linebackers in interceptions and fumbles forced.  The senior finished the season with 11.5 tackles for loss, three quarterback sacks, four interceptions, five pass breakups, two quarterback hurries and five fumbles forced.

LEXINGTON — At this time a year ago offensive line coach Mike Summers was making the transition from Arkansas to Kentucky and learning about the Cats’ personnel. Now, as UK nears the end of spring practice, Summers has four returning starters in his unit that is expected to be one of Kentucky’s offensive strengths. “It is enjoyable to have guys back who understand what you are expecting from them and they know how to deal with me a lot better,” said Summers. “From that it has been really enjoyable to be around some guys who have already been on the field.

LEXINGTON - Matt Smith has always been the student during his Kentucky football career. The senior center has learned from offensive line coach Mike Summers and former teammates. However, this spring he's actually doing double duty as a teacher himself. First, he has three new starters - Darrian Miller, Zach West and Kevin Mitchell - on the offensive line with him and guard Larry Warford, an all-Southeastern Conference performer. “It is going well so far. It is a little bit different with so many new guys up front and on the offense as a whole.

LEXINGTON¿ - For the first time in his college career, Kentucky quarterback Morgan Newton doesn't have Mike Hartline looking over his shoulder. Newton, a backup to Hartline in his first two seasons with the Wildcats, enters the season as Kentucky's starting signal caller. Despite playing behind Hartline the past two seasons, Newton started the last eight games in 2009 and compiled a 5-3 record, one of which was an exciting 21-14 victory over Auburn, the Cats' first win over the Tigers since 1966.

LEXINGTON - Kentucky senior offensive guard Larry Warford has been named to the Outland Trophy Award watch list and also been named to the preseason all-Southeastern Conference first team by the league's coaches. Warford was a second-team all-SEC pick by the league coaches for his play during the 2011 season as well as the Associated Press. He has led Kentucky in knockdown blocks each of the last two seasons, including 34 last season when he graded at 87.5 percent efficiency last year by the UK coaching staff.

Sophomore offensive lineman Larry Warford, who moved from California to Richmond for his high school senior season, had a solid season for Kentucky and even earned some all-conference honors. He shared his thoughts on the season and the future after UK’s loss to Pittsburgh in the BBVA Compass Bowl: Question: How did this year go for you overall? Warford: “It was good. I think I improved a lot from last year both physically and mentally. I thought I could do what I have done in two years, but it was somewhat of a surprise because we have a lot of good guys out here that could take my spot.

Back when Larry Warford played for Madison Central, offensive line coach Mark Scenters had a unique, but effective, way of motivating his star lineman - a Wendy's Baconator. “We used to have a running deal that if any lineman graded out well and played really well, it would result in him getting a big burger,” said Scenters, now the head coach at Garrard County. “He got a few for sure, and probably deserved more than I could afford. At least now he shouldn't have to worry about how many he buys.

For Larry Warford, what he thought was the right decision turned out to be exactly the right thing for him. The University of Kentucky offensive lineman was picked in the third round Friday by the Detroit Lions with the 65th overall pick - the third pick in the third round - and is going to a team that listed bolstering its offensive line as a pre-draft goal. To understand how impressive Warford's pick, consider two things: n Randall Cobb, one of the best players ever at UK, was taken with the 64th overall pick by Green Bay two years ago and has blossomed into a NFL star.

LEXINGTON - Larry Warford admits he's tired of playing his bass guitar, fishing, working out, driving for no particular reason, playing video games or doing anything else he can to get his mind off this week's NFL draft. “I just want to find out (where I will be drafted),” said the Kentucky senior offensive guard Tuesday. “I am just trying to figure out where I will end up. I shouldn't be worrying because I have no idea and no control.” He says he's heard anywhere from the second to fourth round, but knows things could change.

For the last time in his coaching career, Joker Phillips left the Commonwealth Stadium turf Saturday and this time he had reason to smile because his team won 34-3. However, it was also bittersweet because the win over Samford was only UK's second of the season and came two weeks after athletics director Mitch Barnhart announced that Phillips would not be back for the final two years on his coaching contract. If Kentucky had dominated the line of scrimmage more often the way it did this game, perhaps Phillips would still have the job he always considered his dream job. He came to home-state UK as a player from Franklin and spent time at UK as a graduate assistant, position coach, recruiting coordinator, offensive coordinator and head coach in waiting under Rich Brooks.

LEXINGTON¿ - Larry Warford and Matt Smith gave Joker Phillips a lift in his final home game as coach at Kentucky. Warford and Smith, two of Kentucky's seniors, carried Phillips on their shoulders after the Wildcats defeated Samford 34-3 in their home finale Saturday night at Commonwealth Stadium. It was not only the last home contest for Phillips, but also for 19 seniors. Following the game, Phillips reluctantly jumped on the shoulders of Warford and Smith as he left the field as Kentucky's coach for the final time.

LEXINGTON - He's won only 12 games and lost 16 in a little over two seasons at Kentucky, but it's not hard for coach Joker Phillips to explain why he thinks he deserves more time to get the football program back on track. “Well, I mean, we got 72 freshmen and sophomores in this program.  We just played a program (Western Kentucky) that has 50 juniors and seniors in their program,” Phillips said Monday. “We got to be better than that. But we got a lot of good, young players playing ball for us.” Not only are they playing, but Phillips noted how many are playing “significant roles” this season.

LEXINGTON - Zach West knows he's going to be excited this afternoon when Kentucky opens the season at Louisville. After all, the Kentucky offensive guard has not played in a game since the end of his 2010 high school season at Lexington Christian because he was redshirted last season. “It's going to be the first time I have played since high school. I have just been basically practicing for a year and a half. That's a long time not to play, and I know this is definitely a big opportunity for me and one I can't wait for,” said West.

LEXINGTON - Jordan Watson was one of the early commitments in Kentucky's 2012 football recruiting class and he never backed off his pledge to the Wildcats despite UK's 5-7 season. The 315-pound offensive lineman was ranked as the 31st-best prospect in Georgia by SuperPrep for his play at Whitewater High School, the same school that sent running back Josh Clemons to UK¿a year earlier. Here's more from Watson: Question: Did you ever come close to wavering on your commitment to Kentucky?

HOOVER, Ala. - Senior offensive linemen Matt Smith and Larry Warford - coach Joker Phillips calls them “two big boys” - appreciated having a chance to come to the Southeastern Conference Football Media Days on Wednesday. However, they would enjoy getting Kentucky back to a winning season and a bowl game even more after the Wildcats had their five-year bowl streak snapped last season when the Cats finished 5-7. “I think that it is something we took for granted that we would make a bowl game and have a winning record.

LEXINGTON - Kentucky senior offensive guard Larry Warford has been named to the Outland Trophy Award watch list and also been named to the preseason all-Southeastern Conference first team by the league's coaches. Warford was a second-team all-SEC pick by the league coaches for his play during the 2011 season as well as the Associated Press. He has led Kentucky in knockdown blocks each of the last two seasons, including 34 last season when he graded at 87.5 percent efficiency last year by the UK coaching staff.