All- Area Team

Phil Baker

ESPN 680

In honor of the college football season only a few weeks away from kickoff, let take a look at the best players around the area from the offensive side of the ball.

Offense:

University of Louisville

#5 Teddy Bridgewater, Quarterback: One of the most decorated freshman quarterbacks in the country, will be the leader for the offense for the Cards moving forward. In 2011 Bridgewater was named Big East Rookie of the Year after throwing for 2,129 yards and 14 scores. Threw for over 200 yards in four games including a career-high 274yards in a Belk Bowl loss to NC State and was named to the Freshmen All-American team to CBSSports.com, Sporting News and Fox Sports Next 2011.

#9 DeVante Parker, Wide Receiver: Explosive big-play receiver, made big plays down the field and can turn short catches into big gains. Led the team in touchdowns with six and has the ability to leap and make the big play down the field, will be one of the main targets Bridgewater throws to.

#10 Dominique Brown, Running Back: Gives the Cards a big physical back, began his career at the quarterback position and made the smooth transition to running back. Excellent straight-ahead runner who runs behind his pads and fights to gain every yard and has thrived in short-yardage-situations.  Brown finished the 2011 season second in rushing with 533 yards and tied for the team lead with four rushing touchdowns.

#55, Mario Benavides, Center:  A three-year starter at center for the Cardinals has been the anchor of the offensive line. Has started 34-38 games during his career and is coming off an injury but is looked to be the leader of the young line

#70 John Miller, Offensive Line: Started 10 games at left guard, was one of only five true freshmen in the nation to state offensive line. Miller was a three-star prospect by Rivals.com and the No. 61 offensive lineman by Scout.com

University of Kentucky

#16 La’Rod King, Wide Receiver: Team’s leading returnee at wide receiver and his career totals feature 86 receptions for 1,218 yards, 13 touchdowns and ranks eighth in school history in TD catches. King has played in 36 games including 18 starts and had a career-high seven catches vs. Louisville in 2011.

#21 Josh Clemons, Tailback: Played in the first six games of the 2011 season before suffering a season-ending injury at South Carolina. Was leading the team in rushing with 279 yards before he was sidelined, both of his touchdowns were game-winners. If Clemons can bounce back to his true-freshmen form, look for him to have a breakout season.

#67 Larry Warford, Offensive Guard: Coming off an outstanding individual season in 2011, the 6-foot-3, 343-pound offensive guard has led Kentucky in knockdown blocks each of the last two seasons, including 34 last seasons. Warford was named Sophomore All-America second time by CollegeFootballNews.com in 2010.

Eastern Kentucky University

 #79 Aaron Adams, Offensive Lineman: Started all 12 games at Right Tackle, 2012 Sports Network FCS Preseason All-American (first team,) 2011 All-OVC first team selection. One of two offensive linemen to start every game and helped EKU rush for more than 200 years in six games.

Western Kentucky

#82 Jack Doyle, Tight End: Named to second team all-Sun Belt Conference after setting career highs in receptions (52) and receiving yards (614) while playing in all 12 regular season games for the first time in his career. For the season Doyle averaged 11.8 yards per reception and 51.2 yards per game, his 52 catches rank fifth on WKU’s single season list.

Indiana University

#13 Kofi Hughes, Wide Receiver: Led the Hoosiers with 35 receptions, 536 yards three touchdowns and 15.3 yards per catch. Set career marks with eight catches for 147 yards and his first career 100-yard game, with a 34 yard score vs Ohio State in 2011.

Check back next week for the list of the impressive defensive players around Kentuckiana, as we are gearing for the college football season!