PAGE 10   THE CATS' PAUSE, DECEMBER 9, 1978
Chris Jones And Robert Cobb Eager For 1979 Season To Arrive
For the Kentucky football team to rebound from this year's 4-6-1 season, Coach Fran Curci has said that his staff needs to have an excellent recruiting season.
While several incoming freshmen could play a vital role in the Cats' game plan next year, many of this year's redshirts should also play an important role in Kentucky's success in 1979.
Redshirts are players that are held out of competition one year in order to gain an extra year of eligibility. They practice the entire season, but cannot play on Saturday. Often times, their main role is on the scout squad, preparing the first two teams for the upcoming opponent.
Due to a new NCAA rule, freshmen were eligible for redshirt this season for the first time ever. Previously a player was not able to be redshirted his first year on the college campus.
Because of that ruling, Kentucky redshirted 15 freshmen this year, many of whom should play a great deal next season. Along with several sophomores and a junior, the Kentucky redshirt list totals 23 players who were held out of action, either for the added experience or because of injuries.
Two members of this group who could be counted on heavily next season are Chris Jones, a freshman, and Robert "Bubba" Cobb, a sophomore.
Jones is a 6-2, 190 pounder from Danville. He was one of the most recruited athletes Kentucky signed last year, with Curci bettering the Oklahoma staff for the services of Jones. A possible running back or
defensive back, Jones has been timed in a 9.7 100 yard dash.
Jones pulled a hamstring muscle early in practice and missed several weeks of workouts. It was almost midseason by the time he was healthy and although Curci has said it was hard not to put the talented Jones in the game, he decided to hold him out.
Jones said he learned he might be redshirted in the middle of the season. "I read it in the paper. When I missed the first three games, I had it in the back of my mind that I would probably be redshirted."
His first reaction was mixed.
"It hit me all of a sudden. In a way, I was glad. In another way, I didn't have anything to look forward to the rest of the season except practice."
When he signed with Kentucky, Jones had never thought he would have to sit out his first season.
"I wanted to play a whole lot. I believed I could help the team."
One of the hardest things for a redshirt is practicing everyday, knowing that he will nee no action on Saturday. Jones practiced mainly as a defensive back, in order to give the first two teams some top-flight competition to work with.
"It hurt a lot sitting out and watching everybody when I felt I could contribute to the team," said Jones. "When I first heard, it was hard to practice. Then I got used to it and didn't think about it."
"I wasn't all that upset because I missed a whole lot of practice (due to the injury). To learn you have to is to learn a lot. I didn't know anything about defensive back. I mostly played at defensive end in high school."
Wildcats Who Were Redshirted				
P1ayer	YEAR	HT.	WT.	P0S
David Bond	So.	6-5	240	0L
Dan Chase	Fr.	6-4	220	DE
Robert Cobb	So.	6-3	255	0L
Mickey Cochran	Fr.	6-4	250	0L
Charlie Jackson	So.	5-11	184	DB-OB
Benjamin Johnson	Fr.	6-0	180	DB
Kevin Kearns	Fr.	6-3	235	DL
Nick Litzinger	So.	6-3i	205	TE
Luis Lopez	Jr.	6-1	220	DL
David Lyons	   Fr.	6-5	205	LB
Frank McDaniels	Fr.	6-3	230	0L-DL
John Maddox	Fr.	6-4	215	0L
Rob Mangas	Fr.	6-2	198	QB
Billy Prewi tt	Fr.	6-1	170	WR
Sam Simpson	Sa.	6-2*	215	LB
Mike Spencer	Fr.	6-5	270	0L-DL
Gary Van Deusen	Fr.	6-4	240	0L
Brian Allen	Fr.	6-0	180	WR
Todd Shadowen	Fr.	6-4	220	B
George Taylor	Fr.	6-4	225	DL-LB
Dave Yeckley	Fr.	6-1	207	DL-LB
Brian Palacious	So.	5-11	204	RB
Mark Meenach	So.	5-10i	204	LB
By GENE ABELL Associate Editor
Jones used his practice time as a learning experience.
"I just practiced for next year. I am trying to learn the system and the coaches. I will probably be moved to running back next season."
"I'll do anything to help the team. They needed somebody on the scout team at defensive back and I guess they felt I react well. I just worked to help the team do better."
It was Jones' choice to play defensive back, but now he is looking forward to the switch back to offense.
"Coach Curci asked me where I would like to play. I knew Kentucky had a lot of good running backs this year so I thought it would be hard to play at first. I told him I would play defense. Coach Catavolos (defensive back coach) is a great guy. But I missed running the ball. I've been doing that ever since I can remember. I believe I will be a better offensive back than defensive back."
Now it's over, Jones is glad he took the redshirt and has few second thoughts about attending Kentucky.
"We didn't have a good season. I'm glad it's over and I can't get redshirted again. I've got four straight years. The way I look at it, we had a lot of good freshmen come in. They are eager to start next year and they have a good chance to start next year."
Coach Curci has talked about changing his offense from the wishbone attack to the I formation. The I is centered around the tailback, and Jones says he would like that role. However, if it doesn't work out, he could accept moving back to defense.
"I wouldn't mind that at all. Wherever they need me, I'll play."
The Kentucky offensive line was hit hard by graduation. A good year from people like the 6-3, 255 pound Cobb is a must. The sophomore offensive tackle from Sheffield, Alabama, feels the redshirt season will benefit him.
"I feel like I can go out next year and do a better job than I would have done this year. I hope to get everything down during the spring."
Unlike Jones, Cobb knew he was going to be sitting out the season before the opening game.
"The week before the South Carolina game, Coach Niblack (offensive line coach) said they wanted to hold me out a year. They wanted me to get more experience and work on the weights because we had such a large class graduating."
"I came in and was in shape for the two-a-days. I was ready to play. But I thought about it, and the more I did I could see it would do me a lot of good.''
Like Jones, it was sometimes hard to practice for Cobb.
"It wasn't any fun, knowing you couldn't play in games and being here on weekends when everybody was playing. When I sat in the stands, I
wanted to be out there but I knew I couldn't. 1 guess all the redshirts wanted to be."
His main motivation during the week was "next year. This was my second year <>" the scout squad and I knew sooner or later I would get my playing time.''
Cobb is confident he is ready to move in.
"During two-a-days, I knew I could play because I was second team. But I could still see where I needed improvement. I needed a lot of improvement on my pass blocking and I think it got better."
Cobb is now glad he sat out and has three more years to go.
"I'm really glad. After the way the season went. The way it looks is great. And I have three more years."
As with the other redshirts, all Cobb thinks about is "next year."
"It makes me want to be on the field against that first team next year. I'm looking forward to it. I'm ready to play. I've been here two years and I'm ready to go."
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