By LARRY VAUGHT

Signing running back Miles Simpson of Simon-Kenton was important to Kentucky and new head coach Joker Phillips for three reasons.

First, it gives Kentucky a bigger, physical back since Simpson is 6-2, 210 pounds than what it has had in recent years.

“He is a big, strong running back that will come on and make a big impact,” said UK recruiting coordinator Chuck Smith.

Two, it gives the Cats a possible inroad into northern Kentucky/Ohio, especially combined with the signing of tight end Alex Smith of Cincinnati.

“It was real big to get Miles and Alex. Ohio is harder to recruit than you think because they are so Big Ten oriented up there,” Chuck Smith said. “It’s my specific area, so I know. But once they come and see what the SEC has to offer, then you have a chance. That is what happened with Alex and Miles.”

Third, it helped Kentucky show it can sign the state’s top players. Simpson and Central linebacker Tim Patterson were ranked as the top two in-state prospects and both made late decisions to sign with Kentucky.

“Miles is one of the best players in the state of Kentucky this year. We have to be able to get the best players in the state of Kentucky. I think the rankings have him and Tim Patterson as the top two recruits in the state and we were able to land both of them. That’s very, very important, “ Chuck Smith said. “Miles will bring a lot to the table. He’s a kid we spent a lot of time on and is the kind of kid that we have to be able to sign in our state to be successful.”

Mile Simpson bio

Miles Simpson, Running Back, 6-2, 210, Fr-HS, Independence, Ky. (Simon Kenton) – Smooth, powerful runner who rushed for more than 2,000 yards his junior and senior seasons at Simon Kenton HS … Notched 2,227 yards and 41 touchdowns as a senior … Garnered 2,309 yards and 37 scores his junior season, leading Simon Kenton to a state runner-up finish in Class 6A, the largest classification in Kentucky … First-team all-state as a junior and senior by The Associated Press and Louisville Courier-Journal … “He is a dominating high school back whose talent screams big time,” penned recruiting analyst Tom Lemming … The No. 2 prospect in Kentucky by SuperPrep … Rated among the nation’s top-100 running backs by all services … Coached by Jeff Marksberry.