Kentucky linebacker excited for one more game in Sanford Stadium

ATHENS, Ga. -- Kentucky linebacker Sam Maxwell is the living embodiment of patience.

The 6-foot-3, 248-pound senior from nearby Hartwell waited three seasons for his opportunity to contribute to the Wildcats on a full-time basis, and he's made the most of his chance this fall, recording 62 tackles (third on the team), 41⁄2 tackles for loss, 11⁄2 sacks and a team-leading four interceptions.

"Sam has been a very good player," said Kentucky coach Rich Brooks, whose Wildcats (6-4, 2-4 in the Southeastern Conference) face Georgia at 7:45 p.m. today. "He's just been behind what we felt were some pretty good linebackers as well. He's always been a playmaker in his limited snaps and a few starts before this year. He always made some plays, but was always inconsistent, and the consistency is there this year.

"He's playing the run extremely well. He has a great nose for the football and anticipation and can get a good break on it. The good news is, once he gets a break on it, he's got really good hands and he's been able to get the four picks and has been close on several others. He's having a great year for us."

Waiting for his chance to display his abilities isn't something new for Maxwell, who faced a similar situation during his prep days at Hart County High School.

"I played all four years (at Hart County), but the funny thing is, I faced the same kind of thing," Maxwell said. "I put a lot of work in, but it wasn't until my last year that I got my playing time and got to really shine. It kind of repeated itself in college."

During his last season at Hart County, Maxwell played linebacker, tight end, wide receiver, fullback and tailback. He wound up with 98 tackles, 24 tackles for lost yardage and six sacks in 2004 as the Bulldogs went 8-3.

"He was just an outstanding athlete," Hart County football coach Joby Scroggs said of Maxwell. "He could play anything — he could play quarterback, wide receiver, or even offensive tackle if you wanted him to. He's very talented and I think that's what Kentucky saw in him. He was just one of those rare kids who comes around with that kind of ability. He would do anything you wanted him to."

Brooks and Kentucky showed some fortitude of their own after signing Maxwell in February 2005. Maxwell said he had taken an online class that wasn't accepted at Kentucky and therefore didn't qualify to come in that year. But when the next February rolled around, the Wildcats again offered Maxwell a scholarship, which he gratefully accepted.

"Kentucky was still there for me," he said. "And I re-signed with them. When you go through hard times, you know who's there for you. My friends and family were behind me, and Kentucky waited for me."

On track to graduate this spring with a degree in family studies, Maxwell said he's excited to play one more game in Sanford Stadium, which is about 40 miles from where he lived.

"I've been looking forward to all the games, actually, but for every athlete, if you're not playing at your home stadium, you want to go back and get a good win near where you grew up," he said. "It's always a big game because it's for you and your family and everybody that knows you. This is a real big game for me and for Kentucky — we haven't beaten Georgia in Georgia for so long, and they're a great team and a great opponent."

Before Maxwell gets to negotiate with the Bulldogs' offensive line today, he's had to try and figure out how to acquire tickets for all the people he knows who want to see the game, not an easy proposition when he has 15 teammates who also hail from the Peach State, including junior defensive tackle Shane McCord, a fellow Hart County Bulldog and a cousin.

"I don't think I've got enough tickets right now," Maxwell said. "You know, Kentucky does a lot of recruiting in Georgia and South Carolina, so I've got a lot of teammates from those two states, and it's kind of hard to get extra tickets for the Georgia and South Carolina games."

Maxwell said he's enjoyed his time in Lexington and is proud to have been involved in the program when it made considerable strides forward, most notably posting a 29-20 overall record through three-plus seasons, earning a bowl invitation in 2006 for the first time since 1999 and achieving bowl eligibility in four straight years for the first time ever.

"I'm happy with everything I do," he said. "I feel I made a good decision to come here to UK because every game we play is doing something big for the school. Our coach always says the next game is the biggest game, and he actually means that. That puts a little pressure on you, but it's the kind of pressure you need to be a better person. We've turned this thing around and have done some good things here."