[Strikeout King]

Randall Cobb

In my lifetime, I can’t remember a player, other than probably Tim Couch, who brought more energy and excitement to the University of Kentucky football program. Cobb was electrifying on the field and displayed utmost character and dedication to the university off of it. He holds the UK record for total touchdowns in a career and the SEC record for all-purpose yards in a season. He was named an All-American by multiple outlets in his final year in addition to being a consensus All-SEC selection. Cobb then went on to be drafted by one of the most storied franchises in NFL history with a very bright future ahead of him.

Randall provided the most memorable face (and eyes) for one of the most successful stretches in the history of the football program. He came in as an unregarded recruit from Tennessee and left as a Kentucky legend. I think he deserves his name in the Commonwealth Stadium Ring of Honor. However, for all of his accolades and attention within the state of Kentucky and the Southeastern Conference, UK never went to a bowl with a big national reputation during Randall’s time as a Wildcat. In addition, his legacy in Kentucky may be stunted due to the fact that he starred on the gridiron and not the hardwood. The casual fan in this state is more likely to glorify a basketball star than his football counterpart.


Brandon Knight
Coming into his freshman year, to compare Brandon Knight to John Wall was grounds for a quick admonishment. ‘They aren’t the same player and it’s unfair to try to lump them together like that’, was the response when any correlation was attempted. There seemed to be a fear that Brandon wouldn’t be as successful as John was and comparisons would only serve to hurt his confidence. After the season, the comparisons were still taboo, but only in regards to style of play. Any question of a lack of success was thrown out the window. For a freshman season at UK, Knight finished first in points, threes made and threes attempted, as well as second in assists. He was the Most Outstanding Player of the NCAA East Regional and an All-SEC, All-SEC Tournament and All-SEC Freshman Team selection, all while maintaining a GPA of 4.0.

For all of Brandon’s accolades and stats, his most memorable impact was his postseason run that propelled him to draft declaration. Knight took over in the SEC and NCAA tournament and garnered attention from the upper echelons of basketball royalty. When Magic Johnson tweets out that he would take you with the first overall pick in the NBA draft, then you’re doing pretty well for yourself. Brandon’s shots against Princeton and Ohio State and his dominant performances versus West Virgina and North Carolina became the stuff of NCAA tournament legend. He established himself as a household name not only in the Commonwealth, but also throughout the entire nation. However, his time in Lexington may be marred by the fact that it was so short lived, especially when his running mate, Terrence Jones, decided to spurn the riches of being an NBA lottery pick to return for his sophomore season. Brandon Knight will never have his name in the rafters and, if this 2011-2012 team plays like we expect they will, his Final Four may be eclipsed only one season after his departure.


Who ya got?

Who do you think leaves a better legacy? Ten years from now, whose name will be the one best remembered by Big Blue Nation? Which one of these young men made a bigger impact on their respective programs during their time on campus? Who would you rather have back next season?






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