For anyone who’s followed the Kentucky Football program over the last few years one of the strongest points of Mark Stoops’ squads has been the offensive line. Led for years by the late John Schlarman the group affectionately known as the “Big Blue Wall” has become one of the best groups in the SEC year after year. However, for the first time in a while, the Cats head into 2022 with some questions. It’s the same on defense where the entire line is new. Let’s check out who’s filling the spots with our 2022 Kentucky Linemen Preview.
New Blocks In The Big Blue Wall
Over the last four years, Kentucky’s had five offensive linemen taken in the NFL Draft. Just this past year both Darian Kinnard and Luke Fortner were taken by Kansas City and Jacksonville respectively. With the season rapidly approaching offensive line coach Zack Yenser is still working on getting players in the right spots.
Jeremy Flax has claimed the right tackle position as his. The former Auburn transfer looked like the starter a season ago but was beaten out when Dare Rosenthal came in from LSU. In addition, Flax admitted he struggled with former coach Eric Wolford’s scheme. However, he moved on to Alabama and Flax has thrived in the new regime.
Eli Cox moved from guard to center for 2022 while Kenneth Horsey remains at guard. In fact, he’s the only player on the line in the same spot from 2021. Unfortunately, he’s missed time in fall camp due to injury. Another Auburn transfer Tashawn Manning is the starter at right guard.
That leaves the left tackle position where Deondre Buford looked like the guy at times but has struggled too. Meanwhile, an instant impact newcomer may have something to say about that.
True Freshman To The Rescue?
Long-time readers of Last Word know we’ve followed Kiyaunta Goodwin ever since he chose Kentucky over a year ago. The Charlestown, Indiana native comes in as the 38th best player in the nation. Standing six foot eight and 340 pounds he has the size for an SEC tackle. The question is do you throw him to the wolves right off the bat or let him ease into it? Also in the mix are David Wohlabaugh Jr. and Jager Burton. Insiders believe Wohlabaugh will be the starter against Miami (Ohio) though Yenser plans on rotating the guys to keep them fresh.
Continuing on with our 2022 Kentucky linemen preview let’s head to the other side of the ball and the defense.
An Entirely New Line
Much like on offense the defensive line needs a total overhaul from 2021. Josh Paschal went to the Detroit Lions. Abule Abadi–Fitzgerald recently signed a developmental deal with WWE and Marquan McCall is gone as well.
Heading the list is former top recruit Justin Rogers who had 17 tackles and 1.5 sacks at nose tackle. Along with him is redshirt freshman Josaih Hayes. Octavious Oxendine was poised for a breakout season before a mid-season injury. The North Hardin star has been the talk of fall camp after dropping 37 pounds in the off-season. His high water mark came in the Cats’ big win over LSU in which he was named SEC Co-Defensive Lineman of the Week. Defensive coordinator Brad White thinks a breakout season is about to happen. Behind him on the depth chart is redshirt freshman Khalil Saunders who had two tackles in 2021.
Paschal and his 52 tackles, 15 for a loss, and five sacks are nearly impossible to fill. Meanwhile, defensive line coach Anwar Stewart thinks he’s got a couple of guys who can certainly try. Tre’vonn Rybka had 15 tackles in limited playing time last year and is first on the depth chart. Behind him is Ohio State transfer Darrion Henry-Young who has potential after never getting a chance up in Columbus.
Another player to watch is Deone Walker, a four-star player out of one of Kentucky’s recruiting hotbeds, Detroit, Michigan. He’s been getting some reps with the first team and will definitely see playing time in 2022.
Thanks for checking out our 2022 Kentucky Linemen Preview here at Last Word On College Football. Next time out we’ll wrap up our position previews with the linebackers and secondary.
