2009 Pigskin Preview: Sleeper role fits just fine for 6-foot-4 freshman

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It seems as though every year a once almost-unknown steps onto the field at Commonwealth Stadium and gives UK fans performances throughout the season that makes him a fan favorite. In 2007 that man was Stevie Johnson, a  junior college transfer wide receiver that didn’t make a big impact in his first year with the Cats. In 2008 the emerging star award was given to Randall Cobb.

With the season only one day away, Big Blue Nation is looking for the next emerging star to take center stage. One receiver who has been flying under everyone’s radar but the coaches’ is 6-foot-4 freshman La’Rod King.

“He’s having a good camp,” UK head coach Rich Brooks said. “He missed two or three days with a bruised foot, but he’s back now and making plays on the ball. He’s definitely in the mix and in the competition.”

King, a quarterback his senior year in high school in Radcliff, Ky., was an early commit to UK, saying he’s always been a UK fan. In high school King played wide receiver, tight end, safety and contributed on special teams in addition to his quarterback duties.

What King brings to the Cats at the receiver position is another tall option that can go up and get the ball.

“The guy understands how to adjust to the ball,” UK head coach of the offense Joker Phillips said. “I tell our kids, we have a bunch of three point shooters, La’Rod’s a rebounder. He’s doing well at that. We’ve been at the goal line a couple times and thrown it up to him and he’s come down and made some plays over some really good corners. I’m talking some of the starting corners. So we’re pleasantly surprised with him.”

With the receiving position being so shaky from a year ago, another big body that can go up to get the ball has been exactly what the Cats have been looking for. Phillips said UK wants four or five receivers that can go into games. From camp it looks as though Matthews, junior Kyrus Lanxter, and sophomores Gene McCaskill and Randall Cobb have solidified four of those spots. Phillips said King could add more depth and be a nice addition to those four.

“I’ve been pleasantly surprised by La’Rod,” Phillips said. “He’s one of the surprises in this class. He’s a physical guy, big, strong guy. He’s smart and he’s made a lot  of plays so far this camp. He’s the surprise of this whole class.

“La’Rod King and Matthews, I think those two have a chance to be special. Because not only are they big but they’re tough and they’re athletic,” Phillips said.

With King’s long, athletic frame and basketball background, Phillips sees King as a guy who can block punts and field goals.

Brooks has prided himself on the fact that UK’s turnaround has been because of athletes that have outperformed their recruiting rankings, and King said he would be more than happy to continue in that role.

“That would mean a lot,” King said. “Because I’d contribute I’m another help and addition so if somebody has to go to the bench I can come right in to the rotation. I know my plays; I know my routes; what I’m reading. It’d help the quarterback out a bunch and it’d help the team out a bunch.”

King said his best attribute is his listening and learning, having already learned the playbook in his short time on campus. As a sleeper, King said his drive will help push him over the top.

“You have to come in here with your head high, you can’t come in here thinking ‘I’m just like an underdog or whatever,’ ” King said. “I mean I like to be the underdog. The ones who are underestimated are the ones who shine the most … The ones who are under(estimated), they see the opportunity and they go harder to get that.”