By Keith Taylor
Special to NKyTribune
Jon Toth has a reputation for longevity on the field and commitment in the classroom.
The University of Kentucky senior center will likely have to wait his turn when the NFL Draft begins Thursday in Philadelphia. Listed as one of the top centers available in the three-day event, Toth is projected to go as high as third and as low as seventh in the annual draft.
Kentucky center Jon Toth hugs coach Mark Stoops during Senior Day ceremonies last year at Commonwealth Stadium. Toth is hopeful his name gets called early in this year’s NFL Draft, which runs Thursday-Saturday in Philadelphia. (Chet White/UK Athletics)
During his four-year career with the Wildcats, Toth started 47 straight games and was the leader of an offensive line that produced two 1,000-yard rushers last season. In addition to being an All-Southeastern Conference performer on the field, he excelled in the classroom and named to the academic honor roll three times during his career.
“We absolutely love Jon,” Kentucky coach Mark Stoops said. “What did he have, 47 straight starts or whatever? That’s what you’re looking for at center. He’s an extremely good player, very smart and he’s a great leader. You have to give a little credit to him (for the team’s success last season).”
When Stoops arrived, Both was listed as an offensive tackle on the depth chart, but it didn’t take long for the Kentucky coach and former offensive coordinator and current Troy coach Neal Brown long to find his future position, one that could land him a career at the next level.
“We knew he was a special player,” Stoops said. “We really did right away. It doesn’t take much, through all the practice time that he had. The more you’re around him and get to spend some time with him, he’s an incredible guy,” Stoops said. “Very quiet, but he does his work. He’s really amazing.”
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Along with his football talents, Stoops is impressed with Toth’s accomplishments in the classroom.
“He’s a guy who’s an engineering major, but he’s constantly around our building,” Stoops said. “He makes it look easy. As you know, it’s very difficult for these players. They get pulled a lot of directions. They have a lot to do, a lot of responsibilities with their classes and their workouts, but he seems to do it very easy.”
Toth admitted it wasn’t easy learning to juggle football and academics, but learned how to adjust in high school.
“It’s not easy, but I think I was set up well in high school to manage my time well,” Toth said. “That’s a huge part of it, is just managing your time and not watch TV and do your homework instead. Or do your homework and then go lift. Whatever it takes.”
Toth is looking to become the first second Kentucky offensive lineman drafted since 1993 and the first since Larry Warford, who was chosen by the Detroit Lions in the third round four years ago.
In addition to Toth, former Kentucky running back Stanley “Boom” Williams hopes to hear his name called during the draft this week. Williams, who rushed for 2.511 yards, including 1,170 yards and seven touchdowns last season.
Williams, a junior, is listed as one of the top 300 players available in the draft and may end up carving out a professional career via the free agency route following the draft.
Keith Taylor is a senior sports writer for KyForward, where he primarily covers University of Kentucky sports. Reach him at keith.taylor@kyforward.com or @keithtaylor21 on Twitter
