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Gover Ready To Step In And Take Over
Safety Feels Comfortable With Wildcats Secondary
Raynard Gover's athletic ability is unquestionable. He high-jumped over seven feet while in high school and can slam dunk a basketball. College recruiters marveled over his vast talents, but since his arrival into the UK football program, Gover has discovered that to fully develop his graceful skill, playing time is a much-needed ingredient.
This was evident in his first year as a safety in the UK secondary last season.
"It takes a little game experience before you can jump in and play," said Gover. "Last season was more or less a learning experience for me."
Although he didn't start at safety, Gover did gain some valuable experience behind senior Gary Sexton. And considering it was his first collegiate season following a freshman redshirt year, Gover was content with his play.
Todd Hallum
Cats' Pause Columnist
"For the most part I was pleased with my performance," said the UK sophomore-to-be. "Sometimes I had mental letdowns but mostly I was pleased."
With two starters gone because of graduation - Gary Sexton and Maurice Douglass - Gover still thinks the secondary can develop into a cohesive unit. After all, players such as David Johnson, Tony Mayes, and Gover return as well as some promising redshirt freshman candidates. Though he and Johnson will only be sophomores, Gover expects Mayes, who will be the lone senior, to surface as the frontrunner of the pack.
"Tony has the experience and will probably be the leader," said the Dayton. Ohio native. "But I think we will be okay because we have a lot of determination."
While playing safety last season, Gover said he became accustomed with all of the multiple coverages that UK installs in its wide-tackle-six defense.
"I feel pretty comfortable with most of the coverage." Gover said. "I have made mistakes but I have come back and corrected them."
Gover Prefers Zones Over Man-To-Man
Gover prefers zone coverages when the situation arises but admits he needs some polish with his man-to-man responsibilities.
My main strength is playing zone coverage because I get to roam a little more." said Gover. "However. I need to work my man-to-man coverage."
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Raynard Gover
Since his freshman year his teammates have nicknamed him "Sting Ray". It all started when wide receiver Jeff Piecoro (now graduated) started calling him that during drills which were supposed to be run a half speed between the offense and defense. "Sometimes you just get so fired up in a drill that you can't stop yourself," Gover said.
In addition, the basketball rim has felt the "sting" of Gover's slam dunks. During a recent halftime of UK Lady Kats' game with LSU, Gover finished third in a slam dunk contest. Although he didn't win the first-place trophy. Gover felt he could have won.
"I missed my first dunk and that meant I didn't get any points," said Gover of the competition which was won by former UK receiver Rick Massie. "It (dunking) is something that comes natural."
Coming out of Jefferson High School in Dayton, Ohio, Gover was at the top of practically every college recruiter's list in the state of Ohio as a wide reciever and a defensive back. He was a three time All-Area selection and was named to a high school All-American team. When he was forced to choose a college, Gover had trouble picking between UK and Notre Dame.
Decided On UK After Committing To Notre Dame
I had verbally committed to Notre Dame," said Gover. "They were there to sign me when Kentucky did. But I didn't know how long coach Faust (former Irish coach Gerry Faust I and I just felt Kentucky would be the right school."
Gover was also impressed with the honest approach UK took with him during the recruiting process.
Gover Sees Mayes As Secondary's Leader
"I chose Kentucky because they were the most honest school of all of them," said Gover who was recruited by UK offensive line coach Jake Hallum.
Gover's parents also were happy he chose to continue his education in Lexington.
"My parents didn't push me because if I wasn't going to be happy here they didn't want that hanging on their shoulders." Gover said.
"It was a tough decision but I'm glad I chose Kentucky."
As a Business Administration major, Gover is looking forward to entering a career in banking. Since his sophomore year in high school, he has made annual summer trips to New York City, serving as a intern for Chase Manhatten Bank.
"Every summer I have an internship with Chase Manhatten and I'm looking forward to working with them once I get my degree," said Gover.
Presently, Gover is most concerned with improving himself physically during winter workouts. That's because he expects to start in the UK secondary next season. With no other players returning at his position, Gover wants to become a standout in the secondary.
"I'm expecting to kind of step in and take over," said Gover of his role for the '86 campaign. "It takes experience to play my position (safety) and I don't see anyone who is more experienced than I am. I hope I can come in and feel comfortable at safety. As the season progresses I feel Like I will get better."
Gover also wants UK to overcome last season's disappointing 5-6 record. He believes the Wildcats will be on a mission for a bowl game which eluded them last season.
"I think the team feels like we let the fans, ourselves, and the coaches down," said Gover. "The attitude is that we have to keep proving ourselves to show that we are winners."
UK Football Notebook
....Although UK has already received several verbal commitments from high school players around the state, expect the UK coaching staff to sign the fewest amount Kentucky
products since they arrived at UK in 1982.....Former Wildcat linebacker coach John Devlin
has accepted a position as assistant head coach at Temple under mentor Bruce Arains. Devlin had been a member of the NFL's Houston Oilers staff under Hugh Campbell, but Campbell was fired by team management with two weeks remaining in the regular season....Former UK offensive lineman Dan Neal has accepted an assistant's position with the Philadelphia Eagles under newly named head coach Buddy Ryan. Ryan, the master of the Chicago Bears' famed "46" defense, assigned Neal as the specialty team's coach. Neal lettered at UK in 1971 and '72.