categories, including rushing defense, scoring defense and total defense.
If last season's Wildcat football team had any any strong suits, defense certainly was not on the list.
After all, head coach Bill Curry's squad finished 1-10 on the year
and finished last in three Southeastern Conference defensive
categories, including rushing defense, scoring defense and total defense.
The 405 total points given up last season's defense was the most given up by a UK unit in the program's history.
Opposing rushers, such as Indiana's Alex Smith, lit up the porous Cat defense while quarterbacks by the names of Eric Zeier, Danny Wuerful and Terry Dean looked like Heisman winners.
Defensive coordinator Mike Archer came under fire for his unit's inability to control the line of scrimmage. In fact the team's leading tackler in '94 was free safety Melvin Johnson, illustrating the ease with which the opposition reached the secondary.
But Johnson and his 129 tackles have departed for the NFL leaving many unanswered questions as spring practice continues.
But even without the departed star, the Cats should have enough speed and experience returning to help curtail enemy air assaults.
The Cats have both starting cornerbacks returning for another season in Van Hiles, who picked up a team-high 3 interceptions last season after stepping into the starting lineup, and Steven Hall who recorded 59 tackles and one pick.
Leman Boyd, a junior, likely will compete with George Harris at strong safety while Reggie Rusk is poised to step in for Johnson at free safety. Also returning are Kiyo Wilson, Littleton Ward and Deli Ali, who all saw action in every game for the Wildcats last season.
"We've got a load of really good players who can step right in and play," Curry said. "I feel really good about our secondary right now."
To help ensure playing time for all these talented players in the secondary, Curry has moved sophomore Chris Ford from cornerback to quarterback where he played in high school.
"Chris came to us indicting his desire to move to quarterback," Curry said. "He has the talents to make that move. He'll learn the offense this spring and be ready to practice in August."
Snardon was second on the squad in tackles (71) last season behind Johnson while starting eight games.
"David has established himself as the leader of the linebacking corps," Curry said. "He has really come on since the fall."
Curry also pointed to Chad Hudson, who as a redshirt freshman last year recorded 57 tackles while starting six games.
Donté Key also adds experience and talent to this year's squad, but Curry said the senior has been hindered of late by a dislocated shoulder suffered during the Cats' first scrimmage April 1.
The Cats lost their top two tacklers on the line, Roger Sullivan and Robert Stinson to graduation. Howard Cater and Robert Harris, who started a combined nine games, also have run out of eligibility.
Mike Schlegel and Bill Verdonk, both defensive tackles, head the list of returnees, but even these two have have seen limited snaps in their careers.
In other moves, Victor Rivers, 6-foot-4 281 pounder who was moved to the defensive line after the conclusion of last season, has been moved back to offensive side of the ball last week.
"(Offense) is the place where Victor can help our team the quickest," Curry said.
Nicky Nickels created a void when he elected not to return for his junior year. Also Dan Ariza, who split time with Nickels as punter, was lost to graduation.
Ryan Prewitt is one of the top candidates to take over the punting duties.
"The punters have worked very hard, but they're inexperienced and right now they're playing a little tense," Curry said.
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