Looking At The Big Guys Up Front
As the September 4th opener against Louisiana-Monroe gets closer and closer we’re previewing every position of the 2021 Kentucky Football team. We first started with the biggest question mark which is who’s the starting quarterback? That was followed by a look at the running backs and receivers. Of course, that group is headed by potential All-SEC candidate Chris Rodriguez. We begin our Kentucky offensive and defensive lines preview by looking at the “Big Blue Wall” who’ll block for C-Rod and protect the quarterback. In addition, we’ll flip to the other side of the ball with the defensive line.
A Huge Return
The Cats lost tackle Landon Young and center Drake Jackson to the NFL. In addition, they lost beloved offensive line coach John Schlarman. Eric Wolford comes to Lexington from South Carolina where his line helped Kevin Harris run for 1,138 yards in 2020. In somewhat of a surprise the new coach got a huge bonus when Darian Kinnard returned for another year. Projected as a second or third-round pick in last year’s draft, Kinnard came back to Lexington in hopes of moving into the first round. Pro Football Focus grades the senior at the top.
Highest run-blocking grade by returning OTs
1. Darian Kinnard, UK – 91.9
2. Ikem Ekwonu, NC St – 91.2
3. Thayer Munford, OSU – 90.3
3. Matthew Bedford, Indiana – 90.3 pic.twitter.com/yX6ueaeT7a
— PFF College (@PFF_College) August 2, 2021
As a result of all three of Kentucky’s quarterback candidates being right-handed, Kinnard is moving from right to left tackle in 2021. Along with Kinnard another return boosting “The Big Blue Wall” is Luke Fortner. Taking advantage of the extra year granted by the NCAA Fortner, who’s started 24 games at Kentucky, is moving from guard to center.
Big Time Transfer
The Wildcats got a huge pick up through the transfer portal when Dare Rosenthal came to Lexington from LSU. The former four-star recruit from Ferriday, Louisiana said the success former Cat Kelvin Joseph had at Kentucky played a big part. Originally a defensive tackle Rosenthal moved to the offensive line and played in six games a year ago. While he did have some off-the-field issues there’s no doubt the talent is there.
CFB Countdown⏱️- No. 24
Dare Rosenthal – OT, Kentucky
The former LSU lineman joins Darian Kinnard in giving the Wildcats one of the most talented tackle tandems in CFB.
🔸Former 4-star DT recruit
🔸17 pressures allowed in 441 pass blocking snaps
🔸72.5 PFF grade in 2020 pic.twitter.com/emTidBJ5Ve— Jack Brentnall (@Jack_Brentnall) August 4, 2021
Literally one of the biggest battles in training camp is between Rosenthal and Jeremy Flax for the other tackle position. Currently, Flax is running the first team while Rosenthal the second. In addition, Kenneth Horsey and Quinton Wilson provide valuable experience for a group Last Word ranks the third-best in the SEC. Potentially the Cats can go 10 deep and the future of “The Big Blue Wall” is in great hands.
Continuing on with our Kentucky Offensive and Defensive Lines Preview we head to the other side of the ball. However this group, unlike the offensive counterparts has some questions.
Filling Some Gaps
Defensive coordinator Brad White’s group lost two starters in this year’s NFL Draft. Quinton Bohanna went to Dallas in the sixth round while Carolina drafted Phil Hoskins in the 7th round. Fortunately for White Josh Paschal returned for his senior season. The former cancer survivor has 85 tackles including 20.5 for a loss in his career. In addition, he has eight sacks and an interception for a touchdown. In order for the Cats to have a big season, they have to have guys step up on the line.
Foremost of that list is nose tackle Marquan McCall. As the backup to Bohanna, McCall graded out at 66.4 a season ago which isn’t too bad. During his career, the former number one player in Michigan has 48 tackles, seven for a loss, and 1.5 sacks. White thinks McCall is ready to take that next step in 2021. As for the other player in the Cats’ three-man front defensive line coach Anwar Stewart has several talented players to choose from. Sophomores Isaiah Gibson and Octavious Oxendine are the two leading candidates for the defensive tackle spot. Gibson had five tackles in five games last year while Oxendine is a four-star recruit out of North Hardin High School. Another senior Abule Abadi-Fitzgerald also provides depth.
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A Breakout Year?
Going down the line another Michigan star, sophomore Justin Rogers, is a player many in the Big Blue Nation is hoping makes that huge jump in his second year. In five games as a true freshman, the former five-star player had nine tackles and a sack. More than likely he starts the season as McCall’s backup. As you can see the defensive line group features a wealth of talent but are short on experience. The quality of production from the defensive line goes a long way in determining Kentucky’s fortunes in 2021.
Thanks for checking out our 2021 Kentucky Offensive And Defensive Lines Preview here at Last Word On College Football. Next time out we’ll wrap up our position previews with a look at the linebackers and defensive backs.
