Alabama OL transfer Tanner Bowles transferring to Kentucky

Kentucky’s offensive line in 2022 was the weakest the position has been in some years. The Wildcat unit allowed one of the worst sack rates in the country, which was a big hindrance to Will Levis as well as the UK run game. It was a position of need entering the offseason and, as of today, the Wildcats picked up a major commitment to help fix it.

On Kentucky Sports Radio earlier this morning, former Alabama offensive lineman Tanner Bowles committed to Mark Stoops and Kentucky. After four seasons in Tuscaloosa, the Glasgow, Kentucky native made it official and will return to the bluegrass as a redshirt senior.

BREAKING:

Alabama OL Tanner Bowles tells KSR he will be transferring to Kentucky

— Matt Jones (@KySportsRadio) December 8, 2022

Bowles saw limited time at Alabama over his four seasons under Nick Saban. His most action came this season between snaps at guard and special teams.

Bowles played high school football at Glasgow High School where he was a four-star prospect. He was the No. 337 overall recruit and No. 34 OT in the 2019 cycle according to the On3 Consensus. Bowles chose to enter the transfer portal to end November and now, a little over a week later, he has found his new home in Lexington.

Again, one could make the case that Kentucky’s offensive line was their worst unit by far in 2022. Picking up a commitment from a talented, experienced player like Bowles is the first step for Stoops and company to rework it into being the strength of their team like it has been during his tenure.

Chris Rodriguez announces he’s sitting out the Music City Bowl

Kentucky just lost another massive piece on offense ahead of their Music City Bowl matchup against Iowa. After quarterback Will Levis recently announced he would skip the bowl game an prepare for the NFL Draft, running back Chris Rodriguez announced he will also skip the game and focus on his professional future. However, also like Levis, C-Rod will be in Nashville and attend the game with the team. He just won’t play.

Rodriguez posted his decision on Instagram, with the following message:

“Thank you for everything! I can’t tell you how much your support this past year has meant to me. Although I’m going to sit out the bowl game to focus on my health and prepare for my lifelong dream of playing in the NFL, I’ll be in the Music City to support my brothers and I hope to see you there.”

Chris Rodriguez finishes his career as one of the most beloved running backs in Wildcats history. He’s third in school history now in all-time rushing yards, with 3,643 over his five-year career, and just 230 short of Benny Snell’s program record. A figure he certainly would have hit had he played the whole year and not had to sit out the first four games of the season.