While the Cats won't have much of a senior class (only 10 scholarship seniors are set to return), 23 players who started at least one game this season will be back next fall. Kentucky will be the closest it's been to the full allotment of 85 scholarships since Brooks arrived (the low 80s).

UK's schedule is also user-friendly, with non-conference home games against Texas State, Central Michigan and Louisiana-Monroe. Vanderbilt and Ole Miss will also visit Commonwealth Stadium.

Andre Woodson struggled through an inconsistent sophomore campaign. He showed flashes of brilliance against top-flight teams such as Louisville and Auburn, but shoddy pass protection and injuries at receiver took its toll and appeared to affect his decision-making late in the year.

True freshman Curtis Pulley got his feet wet this fall and gave the offense a serious running threat at the position. Pulley will need to work on his passing to keep defenses honest. While he's far from a finished product, he'll be given every opportunity to challenge Woodson this spring and next season.

Sophomore running back Rafael Little established himself as perhaps the most versatile player in the Southeastern Conference this year and should garner some preseason All-America mention in 2006.

Senior Arliss Beach provided a dependable backup behind Little and will be missed, which means establishing a No. 2 back will be a big priority this spring. Tony Dixon will be an option once he fully recovers from a broken leg, and redshirt freshman Alfonso Smith and grayshirt Maurice Grinter also might get looks.

Brooks is counting on this being one of the most improved areas of the team next fall. All five starters are set to return assuming center Matt McCutchan gets a sixth year of eligibility, yet all five might have to fight for their jobs. Three true freshmen (Garry Williams, Christian Johnson and James Alexander) saw extensive playing time, and several more redshirts will join the competition in spring. Also due back in the spring is Aaron Miller, who started 10 games at left tackle in 2004.

The Wildcats will bring back a true No. 1 receiver in Keenan Burton, who might be only a year of good health away from challenging for All-SEC honors. The problem will be finding the right guys to line up next to Burton, as UK loses its other top three wideouts (Tommy Cook, Scott Mitchell and Glenn Holt) to graduation. Dicky Lyons Jr. and John Logan are the only other scholarship receivers with game experience.

Despite a nagging shoulder injury and having to learn the nuances of playing tight end full-time, Jacob Tamme had a decent year in 2005 (29 catches) and should be wiser and stronger next fall. The coaching staff likes redshirt freshman Ross Bogue, who will need time to recover from off-season shoulder surgery.

The tackle position should again be one of the deepest on the team. Senior Trey Mielsch departs, but Lamar Mills will return from a knee injury. Ricky Abren and Jason Leger also will be back, and promising freshmen Myron Pryor and Ventrell Jenkins give the Wildcats five options inside.

The end spot will once again be thin. Durrell White will be a returning senior starter, and redshirt freshman Nii Adjei Oninku also got plenty of action, but only Travis Day saw meaningful minutes after that.

The Cats' youth and inexperience here showed up at key times this year, but defensive coordinator Mike Archer thinks this unit should make strides next season.

Sophomore weakside linebacker Wesley Woodyard (team-high 100 tackles) is a player, and Braxton Kelley showed signs of being one as well before a knee injury took him down last month. Joe Schuler is versatile enough to play inside or outside, and Ben McGrath turned out to be a pleasant surprise filling in for the injured Kelley.

Freshmen Mikhail Mabry and Johnny Williams weren't quite ready to be major contributors this season but will need to step up and provide depth this spring.

Bo Smith made a miraculous return from career-threatening head and eye injuries this fall and could be one of the SEC's top cornerbacks next season. Redshirt freshmen Shomari Moore and Jarrell Williams and true freshman David Jones will all be candidates to replace the graduated Antoine Huffman at the other corner spot.

Free safety Muhammad Abdullah was a productive player and well-respected leader who will be missed. Marcus McClinton's season-ending knee injury forced Roger Williams into the lineup, and the sophomore held his own at strong safety. McClinton should return to his free safety spot in 2006, but depth will be a concern.

The Cats will have to find a replacement for dependable kicker Taylor Begley. Punter Tim Masthay had his share of mishaps and adventures but also showed enough to have the coaches excited about his future.

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