Darian Kinnard named first-team All-American by AFCA

Darian Kinnard just keeps on adding to his trophy case as he prepares for his final game as a Kentucky Wildcat. On Wednesday, the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) tabbed the Wildcat offensive lineman as a first-team All-American.

For those keeping track at home (we sure are), that’s now six first-team All-American honors for Kinnard. He’s now been recognized by the AFCA, Associated Press, FWAA, Walter Camp, CBS Sports, and the Reese’s Senior Bowl. Kinnard has also received second-team All-American honors from The Sporting News, Pro Football Focus, and The Athletic. Not bad for the future first-day NFL Draft pick.

The AFCA is different from the rest of these All-American rosters because of who casts the votes. Since 1945, college football coaches from across the country have come together to select this group of All-Americans. Kinnard is the fifth Kentucky player over the last four seasons to make an AFCA FBS Coaches’ All-America Team. He joins LB Josh Allen (first-team, 2018), RB Benny Snell Jr. (second-team, 2018), WR Lynn Bowden Jr. (first-team, 2019), and P Max Duffy (first-team, 2019).

During his senior campaign in 2021, Kinnard led UK with 30 knockdown blocks through 12 games. He has been the unquestioned leader in the trenches, helping the Kentucky offense set records both running and passing the ball this season. He’ll play one more game for the blue and white against Iowa in the upcoming Citrus Bowl.

On top of his All-American selections, Kinnard was also tabbed as an All-SEC first-teamer by the AP, Pro Football Focus, and the Coaches. He even received the Southeastern Conference’s Jacobs Blocking Trophy, which has been awarded to the SEC’s top blocker since 1935. Kinnard is just the second Wildcat to ever win the award.