Darian Kinnard earns preseason All-American honors from ESPN

This is beginning to feel like an everyday event for Darian Kinnard…

Entering his senior season, the Kentucky Football star offensive tackle has already earned several preseason All-American recognitions, the latest coming on Thursday morning courtesy of ESPN’s Chris Low, who had this to say about Kinnard:

Good luck in finding a man as large as the 6-5, 345-pound Kinnard that moves as well as he does. Kinnard is back for his senior season after considering a jump to the NFL and will shift from right tackle to left tackle. He’s ranked by Pro Football Focus as the top run-blocking tackle in the country and uses his athleticism to also swallow up pass-rushers. Kinnard has started since his freshman season and has a total of 26 career starts.

ESPN

Darian Kinnard now holds preseason All-American honors from ESPN, CBS Sports, USA Today, Athlon Sports, Pro Football Focus, and Phil Steele. He’s also been named to the Outland Trophy Watch List, which is handed out to the nation’s top interior lineman on offense or defense. Kinnard is a runaway favorite to make an All-SEC Team once again, as well.

Basically, every fan and media member alike is onboard the Kinnard hype train. He could be even better this season than previously anticipated, too. Kinnard and LSU transfer Dare Rosenthal recently switched positions with Kinnard moving back to right tackle and Rosenthal to left tackle, their preferred and natural roles. Kinnard has started the last 26 games for UK at the tackle position.

With Kinnard leading the charge, Kentucky’s Big Blue Wall could look better than ever heading into the 2021 season. Not only is the top-end talent a collection of the nation’s best offensive linemen, but the Wildcats’ depth at that position will be an added weapon against the premier defenses in the SEC.

Only a few more weeks until the season-opener.