Fansided
Fansided

2016 Preview: Western Kentucky Looks to Defend Conference USA Crown

By Shawn Spencer

Sep 19, 2015; Bloomington, IN, USA; Indiana Hoosiers memorial stadium reflection seen in one of the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers helmets during warms up before the game against the Indiana Hoosiers at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 19, 2015; Bloomington, IN, USA; Indiana Hoosiers memorial stadium reflection seen in one of the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers helmets during warms up before the game against the Indiana Hoosiers at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 6
Next
Sep 19, 2015; Bloomington, IN, USA; Indiana Hoosiers memorial stadium reflection seen in one of the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers helmets during warms up before the game against the Indiana Hoosiers at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 19, 2015; Bloomington, IN, USA; Indiana Hoosiers memorial stadium reflection seen in one of the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers helmets during warms up before the game against the Indiana Hoosiers at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-USA TODAY Sports /

Impact Freshmen

Despite dominating the Conference USA competition, Western Kentucky has been unable to translate that success in recruiting. According to 24/7 Sports, the Hilltoppers incoming class ranks sixth in the conference and 99th in the FBS. Without a five or four-star recruit, it’s unlikely a true freshman sees enough playing time to make a significant contribution in 2016. That’s why the impact freshmen will be those who sat out as redshirts last year.

On both sides of the ball, the position in which a freshman could contribute is clear. On offense, that would be at wide receiver. Not just because Jared Dangerfield and Antwane Grant are now in the NFL, but because of the scheme used by the Hilltoppers. Western Kentucky uses a lot of four and five receiver sets, which allows players deep on the depth chart to get onto the field. The most likely to take advantage of this opportunity is Lucky Jackson. Jackson, a two-star recruit, was the star of the spring game, catching seven passes for 138 yards. He should begin the season as the number four wideout and will look to work his way even higher on the depth chart as the season progresses.

Another spring game standout was freshman linebacker Ben Holt. Ben is the son of defensive coordinator Nick Holt and brother of last season’s starting inside linebacker (also named) Nick Holt. He intercepted a pass and recorded a game-high nine tackles. The former fullback looks to have a bright future at Western Kentucky, but he’s not the pick for impact freshman on the defensive side of the ball.

That honor would go to cornerback A.J. Jackson. Before redshirting last year, Jackson was the number one CB recruit from the state of Kentucky. In his final two high school seasons, Jackson picked off 13 passes and returned five of those for a touchdown. Even if he doesn’t win a starting job, Jackson will get onto the field in sub-packages. The secondary will be tested early and often as the Hilltippers face two SEC schools and two of the top 15 passing offenses in the country by mid-October. If projected starters Joe Brown and De’Andre Simmons struggle, Jackson could take over much earlier than anticipated.

Next: Key Starters

Home/College Football