Wesley Woodyard

LEXINGTON - Rich Brooks didn't seem this unhappy when his Wildcats were struggling to win games a few years ago. On Saturday, the Kentucky coach blasted fans who booed UK quarterback Mike Hartline when he started the second half of UK's win over Norfolk State. On Monday, he questioned how some teams could be ranked over Kentucky when the Wildcats were 2-0 and had not given up a touchdown in two games. On Wednesday, he ripped his whole team for its lack of practice effort as it prepares for Saturday's game against Middle Tennessee.

LEXINGTON - Steve Brown knows the expectations for the Kentucky defense are soaring. The UK defensive coordinator realizes he has four players - end Jeremy Jarmon, linebackers Braxton Kelley and Micah Johnson, and cornerback Trevard Lindley - who earned some type of preseason all-Southeastern Conference recognition. He knows coach Rich Brooks has called this his most talented defense at Kentucky and one that he thinks can legitimately stop top SEC teams. Yet Brown also knows nothing will be known until the Cats open the season Sunday at Louisville.

LEXINGTON - Steve Brown knows the expectations for the Kentucky defense are soaring. The UK defensive coordinator realizes he has four players - end Jeremy Jarmon, linebackers Braxton Kelley and Micah Johnson, and cornerback Trevard Lindley - who earned some type of preseason all-Southeastern Conference recognition. He knows coach Rich Brooks has called this his most talented defense at Kentucky and one that he thinks can legitimately stop top SEC teams. Yet Brown also knows nothing will be known until the Cats open the season Sunday at Louisville.

It was a situation neither one liked, but both accepted. Braxton Kelley started as a freshman and sophomore. Micah Johnson came to Kentucky in 2006 as the most highly-touted recruit in Rich Brooks' tenure at UK. Yet all last season, the two basically had to split time at middle linebacker. Neither complained - and both were productive. But both wanted to be a full-time player and now they are about to get that chance. The graduation of Wesley Woodyard, UK's leading tackler the last three years, created an opening at outside linebacker that Kelley now fills.

LEXINGTON - The recruiting buzz around Kentucky has been about the verbal commitments of Texas four-star quarterback Ryan Mossakowski and Henry Clay center Sam Simpson, the nation's top-ranked player at his position. However, freshman cornerback Randell Burden says not to forget about his two former high school teammates - Qua Huzzie and Tristian Johnson. Those two have continued the impressive recruiting connection Kentucky has with LaGrange, Ga., that started with Wesley Woodyard and also includes current Wildcats Braxton Kelley and DeMoreo Ford and freshman walk-on kicker Pat Simmons.

It was a situation neither one liked, but both accepted. Braxton Kelley started as a freshman and sophomore. Micah Johnson came to Kentucky in 2006 as the most highly-touted recruit in Rich Brooks' tenure at UK. Yet all last season, the two basically had to split time at middle linebacker. Neither complained - and both were productive. But both wanted to be a full-time player and now they are about to get that chance. The graduation of Wesley Woodyard, UK's leading tackler the last three years, created an opening at outside linebacker that Kelley now fills.

LEXINGTON - The recruiting buzz around Kentucky has been about the verbal commitments of Texas four-star quarterback Ryan Mossakowski and Henry Clay center Sam Simpson, the nation's top-ranked player at his position. However, freshman cornerback Randell Burden says not to forget about his two former high school teammates - Qua Huzzie and Tristian Johnson. Those two have continued the impressive recruiting connection Kentucky has with LaGrange, Ga., that started with Wesley Woodyard and also includes current Wildcats Braxton Kelley and DeMoreo Ford and freshman walk-on kicker Pat Simmons.

Jeremy Jarmon emerged as one of the top pass rushers in the Southeastern Conference last year. He had nine quarterback sacks and 13.5 tackles for loss, numbers that helped put him on several preseason watch lists for national awards going into his junior season at Kentucky. Those numbers also have the defensive end admitting he would have to consider a possible early entry into the National Football League if he had another big season for the Wildcats. "I am sure if I had a big year I would put my papers in for NFL evaluation," Jarmon said last week during the SEC Media Days.

HOOVER, Ala. - Jeremy Jarmon emerged as one of the top pass rushers in the Southeastern Conference last year. He had nine quarterback sacks and 13.5 tackles for loss, numbers that helped put him on several preseason watch lists for national awards going into his junior season at Kentucky. Those numbers also have the defensive end admitting he would have to consider a possible early entry into the National Football League if he had another big season for the Wildcats. "I am sure if I had a big year I would put my papers in for NFL evaluation," Jarmon said Friday during the SEC Media Days.

HOOVER, Ala. -- Jeremy Jarmon emerged as one of the top pass rushers in the Southeastern Conference last year. He had nine quarterback sacks and 13.5 tackles for loss, numbers that helped put him on several preseason watch lists for national awards going into his junior season at Kentucky. Those numbers also have the defensive end admitting he would have to consider a possible early entry into the National Football League if he had another big season for the Wildcats. "I am sure if I had a big year I would put my papers in for NFL evaluation," said Jarmon here Friday during the SEC Media Days.