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?<\/a> That was followed by a look at the\u00a0running backs and receivers.<\/a> Of course, that group is headed by potential All-SEC candidate Chris Rodriguez.<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n The Cats lost tackle Landon Young<\/strong> and center Drake Jackson<\/strong> to the NFL. In addition, they lost beloved offensive line coach John Schlarman.<\/a> Eric Wolford<\/strong> comes to Lexington from South Carolina where his line helped\u00a0Kevin Harris<\/a> run for 1,138 yards in 2020. In somewhat of a surprise the new coach got a huge bonus when Darian Kinnard<\/strong> 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.<\/p>\n Highest run-blocking grade by returning OTs<\/p>\n 1. Darian Kinnard, UK – 91.9<\/p>\n 2. Ikem Ekwonu, NC St – 91.2<\/p>\n 3. Thayer Munford, OSU – 90.3<\/p>\n 3. Matthew Bedford, Indiana – 90.3 pic.twitter.com\/yX6ueaeT7a<\/a><\/p>\n — PFF College (@PFF_College) August 2, 2021<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\nA Huge Return<\/h3>\n
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