Defensive lineman David Gusta (60) is one UK player that analyst Van Hiles believes could be playing in the NFL next year. (UK Athletics Photo)
Former Kentucky all-SEC defensive back Van Hiles played one season in the NFL with the Chicago Bears. He’s also a UK football analyst now for several media outlets and recently on WLAP Sunday Morning Sports discussed if there are possible NFL players on UK’s roster this season.
“If someone likes you on the next level, you can make a team because it’s all about the fit because everyone is good. The couple of guys that are obvious for me on defense are (nose tackle David) Gusta and (tackle Marquise) Humphrey-Grace. Gusta has a really good chance,” Hiles said.
“Offensively, (running back) Seth (McGowan) has shown enough where he can be a backup running back, but there’s so many running backs in this country that I don’t know where he fits in. It’s gonna come down to scheme fit and if a coach really appreciates his talent level.”
Hiles also thinks redshirt freshman quarterback Cutter Boley could easily be a future NFL player along with one or more young receivers depending on how they develop the next two to three years.
“I also think Jager Burton has a chance to become a center at the next level. I’m not sure, but he has a chance,” Hiles said.
Receiver Kendrick Law, an Alabama transfer, has shown flashes of big-time ability but Hiles is not sold on him at the next level. Hiles said Law is like former UK standout Lynn Bowden who was not a great route runner and he ended his NFL career in a short time while another former UK receiver, Wan’Dale Robinson, is still playing for the New York Giants because he’s a terrific route runner.
“The concern with Law is can he consistently run routes and be pressed man? Is his IQ high enough where he can adapt the route on the run and find green grass? Can he find a window? Those are the concerns for me on the next level,” Hiles said. “It’s not ability. It is the fine details of being a receiver that he doesn’t have at this point. That’s the same problem he had coming out of high school in Louisiana.
“He’s an unbelievable athlete with the ball in his hand. But you have to get the ball in your hand on the next level, and the way you get the ball in your hands is being able to run routes. I’m not sure he’s at that level at this point.”
2 Responses
Jordan Lovett, I think one or two lineman get drafted in the 6th or 7th round. Possibly Pete and Braun. Khalil Saunders can play his way into the draft with a strong last 3 games. On offense Kendrick Law and possibly McGowan could play in the NFL as well. Kattus has a shot to make a roster if he has a couple of big games to end his career. Kattus has improved majorly this year. Afari could also find himself on the late draft boards. We have a lot of possibles but nobody is sure fire like years past. That's because all the players with NFL talent are freshman or sophomores on this team.
Louisville lost to a Clemson team that has had a similar season to Kentucky. I think we beat Vanderbilt in a very close game. Then close the year out with a win against Louisville. We have gotten better as the year goes on Louisville has gotten worse. They have a 25 year old QB Moss. I would take Boley this season even over Moss. I think our defense will be the difference in the last two games. Especially if we get Afari back for Vandy. Maybe you hold him out against Vandy to make sure he's ready and 100% against Louisville. We have to go all in the last 2 games. Leave it all on the field. I think Gilmore and Miller have a big game against Tennessee tech showing who our go to guys will be next year. Rodriguez should also have a big game. McGowan and Dowdell should both get close to 100 yards rushing.
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