[LeeCoUKFan]

Hendrix expects immediate improvement at UK

Justin Rowland
CatsIllustrated.com Football Recruiting Analyst

Huber Heights (Ohio) Wayne linebacker Dorian Hendrix won't be putting on his Kentucky jersey for another year but he's got high expectations for the Wildcats this fall nonetheless.

Part of that is due to his faith in the coaching staff that's currently running the show in Lexington. He wouldn't have committed to the Wildcats in March if he didn't believe the coaches knew what they were doing.

But Hendrix doesn't just believe Kentucky has a long-term plan for success. He believes UK will win right away even given the obvious obstacles the program faces in the short term.

"I've talked to the staff and they've explained to me they've probably got one of the toughest schedules in the country," Hendrix said. "I feel like the team can make a bowl game. I talked to the coaches and they kinda feel like the same way. There are some pretty good teams on the schedule. Florida, Alabama and even Louisville.

"I understand they've got a hard schedule. I think they can get six or seven wins and that would be a bowl game. That's just from my standpoint. That's what all the commits are kinda looking for."

The obvious question: What if that doesn't happen?

"I think people would still be on board," he said. "I know I would still be on board. I decided to commit to Kentucky early and I'm in the whole way. I think the base group, the guys that first committed and I'm really close to, I think we're all in it. Mikel Horton, Drew Barker, Thaddeus (Snodgrass) and guys like that."

Wayne's first game is Aug. 30 and Hendrix expects the squad to be strong this year. They return eight starters on defense but the offense has to replace a lot after being senior-laden last year.

"I think the backbone of the team is going to be the defense," he said. "The offense will have to get better throughout the season but I think we're going to be pretty special."

Not surprisingly, Hendrix said he's going to be in a leadership role this year. He was already one of the team's leaders last year but his coaches have told him they want him to step up in an even bigger way. He's doing that by being more vocal and Hendrix hopes to be voted a team captain.

On the field Hendrix wants to play faster than ever largely because of the future he has chosen for himself.

"That's one thing I've wanted to work on," he said. "I've always played pretty fast but I understand what I'm getting myself into playing in the SEC. I'm kinda using this year as a tool to help me."

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