[LeeCoUKFan]

St. X lineman warming up to Kentucky

Justin Rowland
Special to CatsIllustrated.com

Zane Meiners has never exactly been a Kentucky fan. Far from it. He's grown up a Louisville guy. Could that be changing?

That seems to be the question of the hour for the St. Xavier lineman.

The 6-foot-7, 315-pound offensive tackle attended Kentucky's junior day on Saturday and said he has a vastly different impression of Kentucky today than he did before the trip.

"I grew up a Louisville fan and it was kinda weird being there and seeing them and not hating (Kentucky)," Meiners said with a laugh. "I love what they're doing. They're talking about new renovations to the place. It's going to be ridiculous. My first year, wherever I decide to go, they're going to be finished with that. It's going to be great."

Meiners said he spoke with offensive line coach John Schlarman and head coach Mark Stoops. The Wildcats did not offer him but the coaches are planning to visit St. Xavier in the spring to evaluate him in person.

The coaches told Meiners and the other recruits that the line will be a big priority in the Class of 2014.

"They were talking about how they only have seven linemen, including the 2013 class, able to play next year. They're going to be giving lots of offensive line spots out. They have 11 guys but only seven or eight are able to play for sure because of ACL injuries and things like that.

"When we were eating lunch coach (Schlarman) pulled me into his office and talked about how he saw my film and that I had gotten strong. This is only my second year playing football. I transferred in to St. X and I had never played football before. But I've gotten a lot bigger, stronger and taller, so I have a lot of that going for me. I think they see the potential."

But one question looms large: If Meiners has offers from both Kentucky and Louisville would he seriously consider the Wildcats?

"There's definitely a chance," he said. "My uncle Mike Meiners played at Kentucky so there's that aspect. I'm kinda looking to get out of the city."

Wisconsin has invited Meiners to their spring practices and a junior day and the Louisville native said he is also thinking about a trip to Indiana.

http://kentucky.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1477679