ESPN College Football

KENTUCKY

Record: 5-7, 2-6 SEC

The Wildcats entered the year down a handful of offensive playmakers and it certainly showed all season. Without the likes of Randall Cobb, Mike Hartline and Derrick Locke, Kentucky hovered around the bottom of the SEC in just about every offensive category for the entire season. Kentucky was last in scoring (15.8 points per game), total offense (259.8 yards) and passing (135.6 yards), and scored just 21 touchdowns all year.

Coach Joker Phillips prides himself on offense, which had to make this year that much more difficult. Morgan Newton had a solid freshman campaign, but as Kentucky’s starting quarterback in 2011, he regressed. Newton averaged less than 80 yards passing a game and threw eight touchdowns to seven interceptions. After Newton suffered an ankle injury late in the season, freshman Maxwell Smith eventually took over and performed better at times, but threw four touchdowns and four interceptions.

The Wildcats missed out on a sixth consecutive bowl trip and won just two conference games, but there was some satisfaction. The defense was much improved under new defensive coordinator Rick Minter and the Wildcats ended a 26-year losing streak to Tennessee on the season's final weekend — a victory that ended Tennessee’s bowl chances.

Offensive MVP: Running back CoShik Williams. He was one of the few bright spots for the Wildcats. Williams emerged after starter Josh Clemons went down with a season-ending knee injury and led Kentucky with 486 rushing yards and three touchdowns. His two 100-yard rushing games came in Kentucky’s only 30-point games.

Defense MVP: Linebacker Danny Trevathan. There might not be a more unheralded player in the SEC. For the second year in a row, Trevathan led the league in tackles. After registering 144 in 2010, Trevathan totaled 143 this season, added four interceptions and forced five fumbles.

Turning point: Kentucky’s offense got a facelift in a 38-14 victory over Jacksonville State on Oct. 22. It stopped a four-game losing streak, was the Wildcats’ first 30-point game and was the first of three wins in Kentucky’s last six games.

What’s next: Without a bowl to prep for, Kentucky’s coaches will be out on the road recruiting. Phillips should use this time to recruit the heck out of as many offensive players as he can. Kentucky was very limited in the playmaking department and that has to change going forward.

Despite Morgan Newton's tremendously rough start to the 2011 season, Kentucky coach Joker Phillips plans to stick with the junior quarterback this week at South Carolina.

Newton's quarterback efficiency sits at a hideous 97.8, he's completing 50 percent of his passes and has 647 yards with six touchdowns and six interceptions.

Still, Newton is still in charge of running the Wildcats' offense.

"Morgan will continue to get the snaps," Phillips said.

Newton has looked nothing like the freshman that stepped on the field in 2009 and was an SEC All-Freshman selection by the league's coaches for completing 55.6 percent of his passes for 706 yards and six touchdowns after filling in for Mike Hartline halfway through the season.

Even with a handful of playmakers missing from Kentucky's offense, the feeling was Newton would be able to hold his own for the most part and he wouldn't be the reason for the Wildcats' offensive struggles.

Well, as Kentucky sits with a 2-3 record, its offense ranks last in the SEC in scoring (15 points per game), total offense (255.6) and is 11th in passing (139.4). Even though Newton can't catch his own passes or block for both him and his running backs, more blame has been placed on his shoulders.

Kentucky coaches certainly made a statement when they benched Newton for true freshman Maxwell Smith late against LSU. Smith didn't fare much better, passing for just 9 yards on 1-of-5 passing.

"We think that the experience that Max did get will give us an opportunity to feel a little more comfortable about him, but it was a tough situation for him," Phillips said. "He did some good, but didn't do anything to spark us at that time."

Together, both quarterbacks sputtered through to pass for 66 yards on 7-of-25 passing against the Tigers. Newton returned to the game and threw Kentucky's only touchdown of the game.

Newton has received a lot of criticism this year -- some of it deserved -- but Phillips made it clear that this team needs other parts to step up in order to get this offense back on track. The receivers have been almost nonexistent, Phillips said the running backs are "adequate" but need to improve and the offensive line has dealt with injuries.

The Wildcats are also without last year's playmakers in Hartline (3,178 yards and 23 touchdowns), receivers Randall Cobb and Chris Matthews (145 combined catches for 1,942 yards and 16 touchdowns) and running back Derrick Locke (887 yards and 10 touchdowns).

Kentucky would love to have just some of that kind of production at this point.

It was easier to have receiving threats like Cobb and Matthews out there to sling the ball to. Handing the ball off to Locke and even Cobb made this offense go as well last year.

Losing those elements has really made things an uphill battle for Kentucky's offense.

"It's been a lot tougher than we thought," Phillips said.

Linking our way around the SEC:

• The SEC is loaded with talented running backs this season, writes Mike Herndon of The Mobile Press-Register.
• Defense remains Tennessee's chief concern.
• Alabama linebacker Dont'a Hightower feels like he's back to his old self.
• Former Kentucky running back Derrick Locke is headed to the Philadelphia Eagles.
• The excitement over James Franklin's arrival at Vanderbilt hasn't translated to increased ticket sales.
• LSU coach Les Miles expects junior receiver Russell Shepard to play in the opener.
• Miles' huge buyout could be negated by the NCAA violations that LSU is being penalized for, reports Glenn Guilbeau of Gannett Louisiana News.
• South Carolina gets a commitment from offensive lineman Joe Harris, one of the top prospects in the state of Georgia.

HOOVER, Ala. -- Gone are the offensive weapons that provided the excitement in Kentucky’s 2010 offense.

Do-everything athlete Randall Cobb is gone. Quarterback Mike Hartline, who was second in the SEC in passing a year ago -- adios. And running back Derrick Locke and receiver Chris Matthews, who were both instrumental offensive cogs, have hit the road as well.

The cupboard isn’t bare, but it’s full of new, shiny objects that have yet to really get much grease on them.

Except when you look up front.

Kentucky returns four veteran starters on the offensive line that has the makings of being one of the best in this league, accumulating more than 60 combined starts in their careers.

Senior guard Stuart Hines leads the group with 24 career starts and has enjoyed the praise he and his other fellow linemen have received this year and expects it to be the guiding force for the Wildcats’ offense this fall.

“There’s a lot of pride behind that. We’ve worked hard as a group to be where we are right now and we just want to continue to improve and continue to get better,” Hines said. “It’s a great starting spot to build your offense around.

“People [say] we lost a lot of guys, well we return a lot of guys on the offensive line.”

Hines might be the heart and keeps the focus in the trenches, but a lot of the hype has surrounded second-year starter Larry Warford.

After playing mostly as a reserve during his freshman year, Warford burst onto the scene last season, starting 13 games and leading Kentucky’s line with 43 knockdown blocks. He enters his junior year with some nice preseason accolades as well.

Hines admits that Warford was a bit lazy when he first arrived, thinking his ability alone could carry him, but now he sees a determined athlete with relentless drive on and off the field.

“He’s worked his butt off to get into shape and shed a few pounds and keep his weight down,” Hines said. “He’s done a great job of doing of that and getting the extra stuff with Coach ‘Rock’ [Oliver]. It’s great to see a guy that dedicated to doing what he has to do to be a good player.”

Kentucky also returns junior Matt Smith at center and senior Chandler Burden, who missed spring but will return in August, at left tackle. Senior Billy Joe Murphy left spring as the starter at right tackle.

By last count, that makes three of the five up front residing in Kentucky’s senior class, a welcomed realization for new quarterback Morgan Newton.

“Everyone knows the offensive line is a big key,” Newton said. “Those guys are as good as anybody. That group, we talk about guys that work and don’t really say a lot, that’s that group.

“That’s one of the best offensive lines in the country. Having a group like that is a great start for a special offense.”

And it will have to be a great start. Along with the baby-faced Newton, the Wildcats also have a new group of young running backs to utilize. Hines said it’s important for the line to make those players feel comfortable about running up the middle. They need to provide quality holes for the backs to limit the dancing around in the backfield.

Like any offensive line, this one is very close-knit. Hines said one major reason is the pride four of them take in being from the state of Kentucky. To Hines, there is something about being Kentucky bred that contributes to their on-field success.

“I guess we eat a lot of Kentucky country food or there’s something in the water,” he said. “I don’t know what it is. A bunch of cornbread or something.”

AUBURN: The defending national champion Tigers won't have to look far for motivation in 2011. They've heard from their own coaches all spring and all offseason that "all the good players are gone."

Not that anybody on the Plains really believes that, but it's made for some fierce competition on the practice field and in the weight room.

It's also driven the returning players to prove that the foundation of the Auburn football program remains rock-solid despite the departure of Cam Newton, Nick Fairley, Antoine Carter, Josh Bynes, Lee Ziemba, Darvin Adams and 30-some other players who were on the roster in Glendale, Ariz., in January.

"We lost some great players, no doubt," Auburn defensive end Nosa Eguae said. "But we have a lot of other talented players who've just been waiting for their shot. Nobody expected us to do what we did last year, so why would this year be any different?"

GEORGIA: It's no secret that Georgia's depth on the offensive line has taken a considerable hit.

It started with Trinton Sturdivant's third torn ACL in the spring and continued with A.J. Harmon and Brent Benedict both leaving the program.

Georgia coach Mark Richt, though, is more interested in who he will have this fall up front, and it's a unit that's anchored by a guy, Ben Jones, whom Richt calls the "best center in America."

Richt knew from the time Jones attended Georgia's football camp that the Bulldogs were getting a great one.

"We're doing a little pass-rush drill," Richt said. "He's just whooping everybody. Finally, I stepped in and said, 'Look, I want every defensive lineman to line up. One by one, I want you to go against Ben, play after play after play.

"After about I don't know how many, 10 or 12, he was finally exhausted and somebody beat him. But he's a fierce competitor. He's mean as a snake on the field, but he knows what he's doing. He's a great leader. He's a great football player. I'm glad we got him."

KENTUCKY: A year ago, it was the Randall Cobb Show at Kentucky with Derrick Locke, Chris Matthews and Mike Hartline all playing supporting roles.

This year, it might not be as flashy offensively for the Wildcats (unless you like the big guys up front), but they enter the 2011 season with one of the best and most experienced offensive lines in the league.

"Everybody knows that's where it starts … in your offensive line," said Kentucky junior quarterback Morgan Newton, who enters his first season as the full-time starter.

Stuart Hines and Larry Warford form perhaps the best guard tandem in the SEC, while center Matt Smith and left tackle Chandler Burden are also returning starters.

"We've all played together for two years now," Hines said. "We trust each other. We rely on each other, and we want it to be on our shoulders this year."

TENNESSEE: Quarterback Tyler Bray did a lot of things right last season as a true freshman.

He threw 16 touchdown passes while starting the final five games and led the Vols to a 4-1 record.

He also threw seven interceptions in his last three games and beat up on four teams (Memphis, Ole Miss, Vanderbilt and Kentucky) who won a combined 13 games.

Tennessee coach Derek Dooley is as anxious as anybody to see what kind of encore his strong-armed sophomore has and whether he's ready to enter the next stage as a quarterback.

"He's made a tremendous investment in getting better, having a better command of the offense, being able to make better decisions and putting our offense in better positions," Dooley said. "It's only going to come with experience."

Former Kentucky offensive lineman Bob Talamini will be inducted into the Kentucky Chapter of the National Football League Players Association Hall of Fame today at the Lexington Opera House.

Talamini will be one of six players inducted into the Hall of Fame, which recognizes pro football standouts who played their college football in the commonwealth of Kentucky, according to a release.

Talamini played for the Wildcats from 1957-59 and helped lead Kentucky to a 5-4-1 record during his junior season. He earned third-team All-SEC honors as a senior in 1959.

He was selected by the Houston Oilers the second round of the 1960 American Football League draft and played nine seasons in the league. He played 126 games at left guard without missing a game and was a part of two AFL championships with the Oilers. He played eight years in Houston before joining the New York Jets in 1968.

Talamini made first-team All-AFL in 1962 and was selected to six straight AFL All-Star games through 1967. He helped anchor an offensive line that helped Hall of Fame quarterback George Blanda set passing records that stood for decades, while creating holes for Hall of Fame running back Billy Cannon and standout backs Charlie Tolar, Sid Blanks and Hoyle Granger.

In his only season with the Jets, Talamini was a part of an offensive line that protected quarterback Joe Namath and running back Matt Snell. He participated in one of the greatest upsets in pro football history when the Jets defeated the NFL’s Baltimore Colts in Super Bowl III.

Eight Kentucky players will also be honored in the inaugural “All-Commonwealth Team,” which recognizes players from every college football team in the commonwealth of Kentucky.

Do-everything wide receiver Randall Cobb, running back Derrick Locke, quarterback Mike Hartline, offensive guard Larry Warford, linebacker Danny Trevathan, safety Winston Guy and punter Ryan Tydlacka represented the Wildcats. Wide receiver Chris Matthews was an honorable-mention selection.

The selection committee included representatives from the Kentucky NFL Alumni and Kentucky media.

It’s got to be a little nerve-racking for the guys we’re about to talk about. Undrafted players have always had a chance to sign with NFL teams following the draft. They might not have been the lengthiest contracts, but at least players could get into camp to try to earn a spot.

Now, with the NFL in disarray, undrafted players are forced to play the waiting game. Drafted players can't even have contact with their new teams, and teams can’t make offseason moves. Everyone seems to think there will be a 2011 season, but there has to be a sense of nervousness circulating through the minds of players who didn’t hear their names called over the weekend.

Here is a list of some SEC snubs who will be waiting for the league to get its act together:

Darvin Adams, WR, Auburn
Not only was he one of Auburn’s top playmakers in 2010, but in his last two seasons with the Tigers, he grabbed 112 receptions for 1,960 yards and 17 touchdowns. The knock on him is that he has average height and speed to be a productive receiver in the NFL, but that didn’t keep him from making plays at Auburn. Once the league resumes, expect him to get into camp somewhere.

Chas Henry, P, Florida
Punters aren’t the biggest commodities in the draft, but Henry was the best at his position last year. He won the Ray Guy Award as the nation’s top punter and was a consensus All-American, averaging 45.1 yards per punt and pinning 18 of his 50 kicks inside the 20-yard line. He also kicked field goals last season.

Derrick Locke, RB, Kentucky
Locke was a major part of Kentucky’s offense at times, but he did have injury issues during his career. Locke has great speed and is a tough runner who accumulated 2,618 rushing yards and 22 touchdowns during his career at Kentucky.

Terrence Toliver, WR, LSU
Toliver has great size and speed at receiver, but didn’t hear his name called over the weekend. He caught 126 passes for 1,820 yards and 12 touchdowns during his four years at LSU. Ninety-four of those catches came in his last two seasons.

Ladi Ajiboye, DT, South Carolina
He was one of the Gamecocks’ top interior linemen, and while he doesn’t have great size, he was very fast off the line. He had back-to-back 40-plus-tackle seasons at South Carolina and recorded nine tackles for loss in that time.

Chris Walker, DE/OLB, Tennessee
He has battled injuries throughout his career, but had a solid last two years with the Volunteers. He totaled 87 tackles (14.5 for loss) and had nine sacks. He’s got good speed and has some room to bulk up a little more. When allowed to, he should field a few calls from teams.

Nick Reveiz, LB, Tennessee
Reveiz doesn’t have great size for a linebacker, but he almost always seemed to find himself around the ball in 2010. He was fifth in the SEC with 108 tackles last season. He has natural leadership skills and should get invited to a camp when (if) the lockout ends

It looks as though former Ole Miss quarterback Jeremiah Masoli has found a potential new home.

The Omaha Nighthawks drafted Masoli in the eighth round of the United Football League draft Monday night. The Nighthawks described Masoli as "a potential steal" who "has the potential to excite the Nighthawks faithful."

Masoli impressed Nighthawks coach Joe Moglia and general manager Rick Mueller at an all-star game in January.

“[Jeremiah] stood out to Joe and the entire staff at the Stars and Stripes all-star game," Mueller said. "He fits what we are doing and has a chance here to play the quarterback position.”

Masoli was at the center of a controversial transfer to Ole Miss after he was dismissed from Oregon in June 2010 following two run-ins with the police.

He first pleaded guilty to a second-degree burglary charge in March after an incident that included stolen laptops from a fraternity house in Eugene, Ore. In June, he was cited for driving with a suspended license and misdemeanor possession of marijuana.

Masoli transferred to Ole Miss in August 2010 and after being granted immediate eligibility by the NCAA in September he won the starting job over Nathan Stanley after the season-opening loss to Jacksonville State.

With the Rebels, Masoli orchestrated a very up-and-down season in Oxford, passing for 2,039 yards with 14 touchdowns and 13 interceptions. He also ran for 544 yards and six touchdowns during Ole Miss’ 4-8 season. In two seasons with Oregon (2008-09), Masoli threw for 3,891 yards and 28 touchdowns and ran for 1,386 yards and 23 touchdowns.

However, Masoli's future might not be with the Nighthawks. He's been working out with the Canadian Football League's Edmonton Eskimos and is a part of the Eskimos' negotiation list.

Regardless, it looks like Masoli has a couple of options for where he wants to play football this fall.

Omaha also drafted two other former SEC players.

With the No. 2 overall pick, Omaha took former Florida cornerback Reynaldo Hill. Hill played for the Tennessee Titans from 2005 to 2008, appearing in 48 games with 26 starts. Hill recorded six interceptions (including one returned 52 yards for a touchdown as a rookie), 11 pass breakups, and 126 total tackles.

“A guy our scouting staff has liked since he came out of Florida in 2005," Moglia said. "Solid cover corner that should come in and compete.”

The Nighthawks later took Kentucky running back Derrick Locke in the ninth round. Locke rushed for 887 yards and 10 touchdowns during his senior year with the Wildcats. He also caught 34 passes for 318 yards.

“Derrick is an extremely explosive player at the running back position,” Mueller said. “He is an electric runner, an outstanding receiver out of the backfield and would be a great addition to our football team.”

Losing do-everything wide receiver Randall Cobb was a major blow to Kentucky’s offense, but running back Derrick Locke’s departure stung a bit as well.

If not for a shoulder injury, Locke would most likely have surpassed the 1,000-yard rushing mark in 2010 and he was a perfect complement to Cobb and quarterback Mike Hartline.

The good news for the Wildcats is that they should be able to plug someone right into Locke’s position.

Sophomore Raymond Sanders entered the spring as Kentucky’s starting running back, and with the spring game looming, he figures to leave that way.

Kentucky coach Joker Phillips said Sanders gained 10 pounds before the spring and actually got faster. He’s the type of running back who can carry the ball on any down and can catch the ball out of the backfield.

Phillips said Sanders will be relied upon to not only run inside and out, but he’ll have to pick up blitzes and act like another receiver -- all things Sanders should be fine with.

“You have to be that type of back when you play in our offense,” Phillips said.

Sanders really started impressing coaches last summer when he came in and quickly picked up the offensive scheme and enhanced his footwork after working with Locke.

With the fundamentals down, Sanders saw time as a reserve, carrying the ball 68 times for 254 and three touchdowns.

Even better news for the Wildcats? Phillips said Sanders isn’t just a quality back, but he already has captain-like qualities.

“Raymond is a natural leader, so we expect him to be one of the leaders of our offense,”

Morgan Newton’s time at Kentucky has been filled with all sorts of emotions.

The junior quarterback arrived in 2009 as one of Kentucky’s top recruits, but with Matt Hartline pinned the starter, he took his seat behind the junior.

However, a midseason knee injury to Hartline pushed Newton up the depth chart and into the starting role. He earned SEC All-Freshman honors after passing for more than 700 yards and tossing six touchdown passes.

Unfortunately for Newton, his second year wasn’t as eventful as a healthy Hartline took back the reins and finished 2010 second in the SEC in passing, averaging 264.8 yards per game. Newton saw backup duty in just four games.

Fast forward to this spring and it’s Newton’s ship again. He entered as the starter and by all accounts he’ll leave that way.

He’s not bitter about his first two years on campus. In fact, he relishes the fact that he gained that much experience before officially being handed the keys to Kentucky’s offense.

“It’s helped a lot,“ Newton said. “Now, I’m just trying to learn from all my experience. Coming back and having the opportunity to lead the offense is going to be nice because I’ve had that experience.”

But Newton didn’t walk into the most glamorous situation. He doesn’t have the luxury of playing alongside do-everything wide receiver Randall Cobb, who declared for April’s NFL draft and took his nearly 1,500 yards of offensive production from last season with him.

Also missing is running back Derrick Locke, who more than likely would have eclipsed the 1,000-yard mark in 2010 had he not suffered a shoulder injury midseason.

He may not have those studs to work with, but he praised junior receiver La’Rod King for his improvement and has labeled him as his go-to guy on the field. He’s also comfortable handing the ball off to Locke’s apprentice, sophomore Raymond Sanders, who might not be as fast as Locke, but could be shiftier.

Unheralded receivers Matt Roark and Brian Adams are also making strides, Newton said.

But it all comes back to Newton. He’s the quarterback. He’s the leader.

Newton knows he’s got the physical tools to make things happen, with his solid arm strength and threat to run, but he’s working on the intangibles, like leadership.

He hasn’t had to lead much, so it’s a work in progress, but Newton thinks he’s getting the hang of it. And when he’s struggling with it, he’s got former Kentucky quarterback star Andre Woodson pushing him along.

Woodson is back at Kentucky to finish his bachelor’s degree in agricultural communications and is also serving as a student assistant coach.

Being around Newton is having some draw comparisons between the two. Newton sees similarities, but he also sees plenty of differences, like the amount of wins Woodson racked up in his career.

“Having Dre around makes things go that much smoother,“ Newton said. “He’s a guy who’s experienced and who’s been through it and been in the league a little bit. Anything he tells me I’m going to listen to and implement into the offense and into my game.”

The main thing Newton said he’s tried to work on this spring is being more consistent. He’s had flashes of brilliance overshadowed by glaring mistakes, which he said could cost his team this fall.

Defensive coordinator Rick Minter has paid more attention to good things Newton does because it makes his group look bad. Minter said Newton has “tremendous upside” and his ability to effectively use both his feet and arm has caused him headaches.

Minter is just hoping Newton exacts that same formula on opponents this fall.

“I trust the guys on offense are going to put Morgan in the best position possible to be successful on his own, but I do think the young man brings a lot of skills and tools to the table,” Minter said.

The 2011 NFL combine has concluded, and 11 different players ran a 4.4 or faster in the 40-yard dash, according to the NFL.

Five of those players played in the SEC.

LSU cornerback Patrick Peterson's 4.34 was second overall to Miami cornerback Demarcus Van Dyke, who turned in a 4.28. Of course, Van Dyke weighs 170 pounds and Peterson 219 pounds.

Auburn running back Mario Fannin came out of nowhere to run a 4.38, and he did so weighing 231 pounds. One of the things holding Fannin back at Auburn was a rash of nagging injuries, and he also bounced around between different positions.

Alabama's Julio Jones had the fastest 40 among SEC receivers with a 4.38 and posted that time despite a fracture in his foot.

South Carolina cornerback Chris Culliver, who missed the final five games last season after tearing a pectoral muscle, helped himself with a 4.4. Kentucky's Derrick Locke also ran a 4.4, which wasn't a surprise. Locke was one of the fastest running backs in the SEC the past two seasons.

Here's a look at the fastest 40 times from this year's combine:

• Miami CB Demarcus Van Dyke: 4.28
• LSU CB Patrick Peterson: 4.34
• Maryland RB Da'Rel Scott: 4.34
• Abilene Christian WR Edmund Gates: 4.37
• Belhaven WR Ricardo Lockette: 4.37
• Auburn RB Mario Fannin: 4.38
• Alabama WR Julio Jones: 4.38
• Ohio State CB Chimdi Chekwa: 4.40
• South Carolina CB Chris Culliver: 4.40
• Kentucky RB Derrick Locke: 4.40
• Connecticut RB Jordan Todman: 4.40

Over and above A.J. Green and Julio Jones, here's a quick snapshot of some of the highs and lows involving SEC players at the NFL combine this past weekend:

Auburn quarterback Cam Newton tested extremely well. His 10-6 broad jump tied for the best among quarterbacks, and he also ran a 4.59 in the 40-yard dash, which tied him for third fastest among quarterbacks. But in some of his passing drills, he struggled, in particular the shorter and intermediate routes. His timing was a bit off, too, and at one point, he sailed three out routes over the heads of his receivers.

Arkansas quarterback Ryan Mallett, along with Florida State's Christian Ponder, turned in the best passing performances of the day, according to Todd McShay and Kevin Weidl of ESPN's Scouts Inc. Mallett has the strongest arm of the quarterback class, and according to the Scouts Inc. crew, the ball exploded out of his hand. He also demonstrated nice touch on his passes.

Kentucky receiver Randall Cobb helped himself with a 4.46 in the 40, which was faster than a lot of people expected. Cobb also impressed with his route-running.

Auburn's Mario Fannin had the second fastest 40 time among running backs (4.38). Kentucky's Derrick Locke was tied for third (4.4). Fannin and Locke tied for fifth with a 37.5-inch vertical jump.

Alabama's Mark Ingram didn't run a particularly fast 40 time (4.63), but the three-year average for the running back position is a 4.59. Plus, Ingram fared very well in the drills with his balance and lateral agility.

Georgia outside linebacker Justin Houston was second among linebackers with 30 reps of 225 pounds on the bench press.

LSU's Stevan Ridley was fourth among running backs with a 6.78 in the 3-cone drill. Ridley ran a 4.66 in the 40.

LSU's Terrance Toliver was third among receivers with a 6.48 in the 3-cone drill.

Alabama defensive tackle Marcell Dareus checked in at 6-3 and 319 pounds, while Auburn defensive tackle Nick Fairley wasn't as tall or as big as expected. He was 6-3 and 291 pounds. He was listed at 6-5 while playing at Auburn.

Some of the other 40 times from SEC receivers were: Tennessee's Denarius Moore (4.45), Auburn's Darvin Adams (4.56), South Carolina's Tori Gurley (4.56) and LSU's Terrence Toliver (4.59).

Some of the bench-press numbers among SEC offensive linemen were: Florida's Marcus Gilbert (30 reps), LSU's Joseph Barksdale (29), Georgia's Clint Boling (28), Arkansas' DeMarcus Love (27), Alabama's James Carpenter (23), Mississippi State's Derek Sherrod (23), and Auburn's Lee Ziemba (20).

The SEC is sending 22 players to the Under Armour Senior Bowl, which is the most in the country.

The newest additions from the SEC to the South roster were Auburn safety Zac Etheridge, Georgia offensive lineman Clint Boling and Kentucky running back Derrick Locke.

Florida and Mississippi State lead all SEC teams with four representatives each in the annual senior showcase event, which will be played on Jan. 29 and kick off at 4 p.m. ET on NFL Network from Mobile's Ladd-Peebles Stadium. Representing the Gators will be Ahmad Black, Chas Henry, Mike Pouncey and Marcus Gilbert. The four Bulldogs headed to Mobile are Chris White, K.J. Wright, Derek Sherrod and Pernell McPhee.

Here's a team-by-team list of the SEC players in the game:

ALABAMA

• Offensive tackle James Carpenter
• Tight end Preston Dial
• Quarterback Greg McElroy

ARKANSAS

• Offensive tackle DeMarcus Love
• Tight end D.J. Williams

AUBURN

• Linebacker Josh Bynes
• Safety Zac Etheridge
• Offensive tackle Lee Ziemba

FLORIDA

• Safety Ahmad Black
• Punter Chas Henry
• Offensive guard Marcus Gilbert
• Center Mike Pouncey

GEORGIA

• Offensive tackle Clint Boling

KENTUCKY

• Running back Derrick Locke

LSU

• Kicker Josh Jasper
• Defensive tackle Drake Nevis
• Linebacker Kelvin Sheppard

MISSISSIPPI STATE

• Defensive end Pernell McPhee
• Offensive tackle Derek Sherrod
• Linebacker Chris White
• Linebacker K.J. Wright

TENNESSEE

• Tight end Luke Stocker

Kentucky is making its fifth straight bowl appearance and faces Pittsburgh on Saturday at noon ET on ESPN.

Here’s a quick preview of the BBVA Compass Bowl:

WHO TO WATCH: He’s been one of the most versatile players in the SEC for the last two years, but this could be Randall Cobb’s final game in a Kentucky uniform. He’s yet to make a decision about turning pro and wants to focus solely on bringing the Wildcats a fifth straight winning season. Few players in this league have worn more hats and worn them with the success of Cobb. He leads the SEC with 2,192 all-purpose yards and scored touchdowns this season running, passing, receiving and returning a punt. If that’s not enough, he’s also the holder on extra points and field goals. Whatever he decides about his future, Cobb will go down as one of the finest players to ever play at Kentucky.

WHAT TO WATCH: With senior quarterback Mike Hartline suspended for this game, sophomore Morgan Newton gets his shot to lead the team without playing any meaningful snaps this season. When everybody was healthy, the Wildcats had one of the most balanced offenses in the league. But senior running back Derrick Locke went down with an injury, and Hartline was able to take the passing game to another level. The offensive playmakers are in place to put up more big numbers in this game. In addition to Cobb, senior Chris Matthews had a big season with nine touchdown catches. It comes down to how effective Newton is throwing the ball and running the offense after watching from the sideline all season.

WHY TO WATCH: The Hartline suspension certainly raised some eyebrows in and around the Kentucky program, but it was nothing compared to the turmoil Pittsburgh has faced. Dave Wannstedt was forced out as head coach and was replaced by former Miami (Ohio) coach Mike Haywood, who was fired 16 days later after being arrested on domestic violence charges. Defensive coordinator Phil Bennett will coach the Panthers in the bowl game. We’ll find out on Saturday which team is more resilient.

PREDICTION: Pittsburgh 30, Kentucky 24. Had Hartline not been suspended, the Wildcats would be the team to beat in this game. But Newton has thrown just seven passes all year long and will no doubt have to get accustomed to game speed. He’s had more than a month to get ready. Pitt will take advantage of his lack of game action, though, and force him into some game-changing mistakes.

Here’s a tentative list of the SEC players scheduled to play in the 2011 Senior Bowl. Players could be added and/or subtracted to this list as we get closer to the Jan. 29 game in Mobile, Ala.

ALABAMA

• Offensive tackle James Carpenter
• Tight end Preston Dial
• Quarterback Greg McElroy

ARKANSAS

• Offensive tackle DeMarcus Love
• Tight end D.J. Williams

AUBURN

• Linebacker Josh Bynes
• Offensive tackle Lee Ziemba

FLORIDA

• Safety Ahmad Black
• Punter Chas Henry
• Offensive guard Marcus Gilbert
• Center Mike Pouncey

GEORGIA

• Offensive tackle Clint Boling

KENTUCKY

• Running back Derrick Locke

LSU

• Defensive tackle Drake Nevis
• Linebacker Kelvin Sheppard

MISSISSIPPI STATE

• Defensive end Pernell McPhee
• Offensive tackle Derek Sherrod
• Linebacker K.J. Wright

OLE MISS

• Defensive tackle Jerrell Powe

TENNESSEE

• Tight end Luke Stocker