Adding Darrion Henry-Young can enhance position of strength for Kentucky

Ohio State defensive lineman Darrion Henry-Young entered the transfer portal in December and immediately became a potential target for Kentucky.

The 6-4, 265-pound line of scrimmage player spent two years at Ohio State after signing with the Buckeyes in the class of 2020. However, playing time was not available as Ryan Day continued to load that position room with high-level blue-chip prospects.

After missing out on Tyler Baron, Darrion Henry-Young makes a ton of sense for Kentucky as the former blue-chipper is visiting campus this weekend.

Adds more quality depth to the defensive front

Both Marquan McCall and Josh Paschal are moving on to the NFL. Abule Abadi-Fitzgerald is likely done after five years in the program. That’s a lot of snaps for Kentucky to replace, but years of quality recruiting should be ready to pay off in 2022.

At nose tackle, Josaih Hayes and Justin Rogers should make a great platoon. Over at boundary defensive tackle, Octavious Oxendine will return from injury, and Khalil Saunders showed real promise as a freshman while preserving his redshirt.

In the Citrus Bowl, Tre’vonn Rybka might have been the surprise of the game as the redshirt freshman made some key plays in crucial situations for the Wildcats. However, depth is needed at that spot.

Darrion Henry-Young can fill that role.

Entering a redshirt sophomore season in 2022, Henry-Young provides Kentucky potential and youth. At the field defensive end spot, the Ohio State transfer could compete with Rybka for playing time.

The Wildcats have a chance to have a two-deep in the front seven that will be very talented. Darrion Henry-Young will add to that.

Deep front can protect the Kentucky secondary

There is no hiding from the fact that Kentucky struggled with pass defense in 2022. The Wildcats were lit up during their three-game losing streak and even had issues against a bad Iowa offense.

Heading into 2022, both Yusuf Corker and Quandre Mosely will be off the roster. Having to replace the top two players in the secondary won’t be an easy task.

The Wildcats likely need to add some transfer portal help in the secondary. Currently, a lot is riding on Carrington Valentine and Zah Frazier to make big strides in the offseason.

However, enhancing the front can be the best way to solidify some shaky pass coverage.

J.J. Weaver is set to return for his redshirt junior season in 2022 and should be 100 percent healthy. Kentucky could also get Jordan Wright back for a super senior season to give the Wildcats two bonafide edge rushers.

On the interior, the Wildcats now have quality depth along the defensive front and should be able to rotate bodies all season. Darrion Henry-Young would help add to that as a true scheme fit as a 3-4 defensive end.

Games are won and lost on the lines of scrimmage in the SEC. Henry-Young would help Kentucky compete with some of the best offensive lines in college football.

There are some unknowns after two years in Columbus, but there is potential. Adding the former blue-chipper into Anwar Stewart’s position room seems to make a ton of sense.

Kentucky doesn’t need the Darrion Henry-Young to be a starter. The Wildcats just need a contributor who can help bolster a position of strength on the roster.