Trainer Jordan Nevels believes UK tight end Willie Rodriguez's size and versatility could eventually make him a high NFL draft pick. (Vicky Graff Photo)
Tight end Willie Rodriguez has 28 catches for 404 yards — 14.4 yards per reception — in his two seasons at Kentucky and has played in all 24 games the last two seasons. He figures to be a prominent part of Will Stein’s offense at UK next season.
Former Fort Thomas Highlands High School and UK player Jordan Nevels has a training facility in northern Kentucky and Rodriguez has been one of his clients. He has not been surprised with the success the 6-foot-4, 250-pound tight end has had.
“I’m very good friends with him, his father, his sister, who I also train because she is a Division I soccer player,” Nevels said.. “They are of Cuban descent. The father came over here with a great work ethic. They have that nitty gritty ethic to succeed.
“Willie was also a wrestler, so he brings that wrestling mentality. I knew the athleticism and speed we were building was something people weren’t going to expect. When he showed up on campus, he ran 22 miles an hour when they clocked him. It shocked every single coach, but it was what I knew he could do because behind the scenes we were already doing.
“I won’t be surprised by what he accomplishes in the future. Hopefully it’s at Kentucky and they do what’s needed to do to let him reach his full capacity. I feel like he’s physically capable of doing so much and has a lot more to show on the field.
“I really believe Willie is a guy that I think we will eventually watch play on Sundays one day (in the NFL). I think he has that ability.”
Nevels believes the versatility that Rodriguez has with his size is what can make him special not only in college but in the NFL.
“He is extremely versatile for a big man at that level, and he’s not even reached his full capacity yet,” Nevels said. “He’s been back in the gym with me and our goal again is just to reach his full capacity.
“I think he’s probably 60 percent there, so he still has a lot of room to grow physically. He can get faster. He can get more explosive. I believe once he reaches his full capacity I think he’ll be a high level, first or second round draft pick that can do really well in the NFL for many years.”
Not only has Nevels trained Rodriguez but UK tight end Josh Kattus of Cincinnati and his younger brother Trucker, who plays at Clemson, also work out with him during any breaks they have.
7 Responses
I didn't know Willie was Cuban. Wow my wife is Cuban. She walked 1,480 miles to get here. She went from Cuba to South America and walked through middle america all the way through mexico and crossed on the Texas mexico border. See a lot of people don't know that Cubans are never "illegals" a illegal is someone who doesn't check in to america when they come. Also Mexicans and people from south America besides Venezuelans have free countries. Cuba is a communist country. So the people there just want to be free. Fun Fact my wife's grandmother who is 89 years old fought in the revolution alongside Castro. That old lady is 89 and still walks miles everyday to go to the store. She also lives on the 4th floor and uses the stairs because there is no elevator. Very very nice woman. She thought the revolution would mean freedom for Cuba. Now she knows how wrong she was. She said they were promised so much but given so little.
Interesting! I’ve always liked (even if not agree l, which is rare) your comments. What an amazing wife! The Lord has surely been with her & her mother in their trials! Wishing all of you the best & many blessing in the new year and future years.
I guess we're getting what we wished for. We wanted Stoops gone. He's gone. Marrow is cleaning up on the recruiting trail for Louisville. It shows how great he is at what he does. If Marrow wouldn't have been here I don't think Stoops would have lasted more than 3-4 years. It took Stoops 4 years to reach a bowl. He wouldn't have made that bowl without Marrows players. Stein needs to pick it up in the portal. What some people don't realize is that Stein is used to selling Oregon in the portal. Kentucky is a much harder sale. Not only does Oregon have Nike money. They also have been a dynasty on the west coast. I think over the last 20 years no team has had a better run out west than Oregon. I think winning wise they've even won more games than USC. Kentucky is a bottom feeder in a power conference. The only way that changes is if we follow the same blueprint as Indiana.
Agree all across the board.
Marrow was the real key to UK success during the years Stoops produced. Stoops botched up a lot during his tenure, even costing g UK wins during the “successful” seasons which should have been even better.
Stein is a winner & he has chosen winning assistants. It may take 2-3 years to see major results, but the 4th season will really be a big time winner! Even year 1 will be a lot better than the 2 year major collapse under Stoops.
Willie Rodriguez will be a second team All SEC tight end this year. That will lead either to the NFL draft or a all American type year his senior season. He's the best tightend we've had since Whalen. He looks like a NFL tight end now. I just hope he stays at Kentucky all 4 years. Nothing is worse when a player comes here when they redshirt the first year then transfer or if they redshirt and start playing as a redshirt freshman then transfer. This isn't good for the player or the team. The team that gets the player ready hardly ever reaps the rewards anymore. The NCAA needs to change the transfer rule to you can only transfer once unless a coach change then you can transfer twice. I also think players should have to sign contracts of 2 years. No more change schools every year like Dowdell. Dowdell will be on his fourth school in 4 years that's ridiculous and players like this are just chasing money they don't care about playing professional football. They can make close to a million every year so in 4 years Dowdell a backup type running back can make over 4 million playing college football and being a backup. That's ridiculous. I think they should cap every team. Starters get 100k and second string gets 50k. If you start half the season you get 75k. Or something along these lines. We play in the SEC. We have the smallest pocket book out of all the football schools because we spend 22 million on basketball. Stein might be in over his head.
I think we both commented a year ago about Rodriguez & Kattus, but they never got many passes under the inept OC.
Rodriguez made thinks happen when he got the ball. So did Kattus. Some odd decisions by the HC (who controlled the inept OC) which kept those 2 out of the receiver plan.
I hope and expect Stein & his OC to fully utilize the TE to spread the passing targets around. The HC & OC the past 2 years were absolutely pathetic not utilizing competent and explosive players like Kattus & Rodriguez.