UK BOUND

Jimmy Chaffin said he will remain a Wildcat for the next four years. The Lynn Camp senior announced last week that he has decided to go to the University of Kentucky as a preferred walk-on, meaning he will be the same as a scholarship player.
“I’m excited, I feel great, I am ready to become a Wildcat,” said Chaffin. “This is what I was raised to be. With my family it has always been UK this, UK that. I am glad I will be able to be a part of it.”
Chaffin made a name for himself over the last three years at Lynn Camp where he led the Wildcats to three straight playoffs, one of which was to the Class A semifinals in 2004. Last year, he led the Cats back to the playoffs before losing to Paintsville. He put up some big numbers, rushing for 1,533 yards and scoring 17 touchdowns and scoring 193 points. He caught nine passes for 311 yards and five touchdowns.
He said he was anxious to get started at UK. “I am pumped,” said Chaffin. “I am ready to get started.”
Chaffin said his immediate goal was to work with special teams and work his way up. Something coach David Mitchell believes will happen. “He has worked as hard as anybody I have ever coached. “He bought into the football program and has become an outstanding player.”Mitchell said Friday that Chaffin has been selected to the Kentucky All-Stars and will play in the annual football game against Tennessee in June.
“Jimmy has a good shot at playing on the special teams this year,” he added. “We hope to see him in the opening game against Louisville.
Athletic Director Danny Green explained the preferred walk-on status. “In his case, like where a walk on would come in during the summer and try to make the squad, he is part of the team, he is committed to the them verbally and through paper work where they will try to help him financially. They will take care of where he will not have to play anything and that’s better than a walk-on because they may have to pay depending on their income,” said Green. “In his situation, everything will be covered one way or the other. As long as he is there he is like a scholarship player.”
“On behalf of Lynn Camp High School and the Knox County Board of Education, the community and students here, we are extremely proud of Jimmy for what he has accomplished,” said Principal Jackson. “But I am also proud of him, not only for his athletic abilities but also for his abilities in the classroom. He has really worked hard on his grades and ACT scores. He has done those things necessary to become a great student athlete.”
“Football anymore doesn’t make it forever and at some point you have to live life and get to work,” said Jackson. “I think Jimmy has done that.”
“We have a lot of students here that have the ability to go on a play D-1 ball, whether it is in football or basketball or other sports and I think what Jimmy told them about the grades is something they will take to heart because they see it happening,” said Jackson.