Octavious Oxendine breaks down how Kentucky is working to improve pass rush

Octavious Oxendine is an anchor on Kentucky’s defense. However, he’s also doing his best to propel the team forward this season.

“Every down, we’re thinking about conversions, converting to the ball, getting to the pass rush, getting to the quarterback,” Oxendine said. “That has really been a big thing for us even last year when we weren’t getting the sacks. Coach was still harping on us: ‘Get to the quarterback. Get to the quarterback.’ It is something that we didn’t really focus on before this season. Our focus is definitely here this year.”

Kentucky’s pass rush was nearly non-existent last season. The team recorded just 1.54 sacks per game, ranking 110th in the nation. Oddly enough, the Wildcats’ pass defense was still fantastic.

Kentucky only gave up 170.8 passing yards per outing, good for seventh in the country. If the Cats can add a legitimate pass rush to their stellar secondary, they could be dangerous. Oxendine is not excluded from this change.

The Kentucky native only had three quarterback hurries and 0.5 tackles for loss last season. Those figures won’t cut it under Kentucky’s new defensive mindset. Insiders believe Oxendine’s best season is just over the horizon.

“Kentucky secured a high-profile recruiting win when the four-star from North Hardin picked the Cats over Tennessee. Just as he was beginning his breakthrough in 2021, he suffered a season-ending knee injury. Ox shed weight through the recovery process and his production dipped the following year. The vocal leader of the defensive line, we’re on the verge of seeing the best version of Ox yet,” Kentucky Sports Radio’s Nick Roush wrote.

Kentucky needs a new talented pass rusher to arise. Its most successful teams in the past have always had one, highlighted by a dominant 2018 campaign from Josh Allen. Oxendine believes this Kentucky team can return the program to its once-acclaimed pass-rushing prowess.

“That consistency is something we need to get back to,” Oxendine said. “In past years our pass rush was definitely consistent. We had good guys like Josh Allen, Boogie Watson. JJ Weaver came back for another year. We’ve always been good at pass rushing and we need to get back to that. I feel one thing we’ve been focused on is our pass rush.”

Watch Oxendine attempt to return to full form this year in his senior season. Kentucky will kick off its 2023 campaign on Sept. 2 against Ball State.