First Down Kentucky: Defense shows high ceiling in open practice

Football time in the Bluegrass has finally arrived. Following media day on Tuesday morning, Kentucky head coach Mark Stoops opened the beginning of practice No. 3 following an eventful day that included vacated wins due to NCAA violations.

We cannot say following this sport is predictable.

But what happened on the practice fields outside the Joe Craft Football Training Facility was predictable. Kentucky’s defensive front looked like the real deal in pads on Friday afternoon.

Deone Walker leads a strong unit

The hype for Kentucky’s 2024 defensive line continues to grow. Even without Josaih Hayes, Darrion Henry-Young, and Tavion Gadson, defensive coordinator Brad White feels good about his unit. We saw why he feels so good about this group in the latest practice.

Led by Deone Walker with Keeshawn Silver at nose tackle, Kentucky’s front had its way with Kentucky’s offensive line in an 11-on-11 run drill. The Wildcats created a strong push at the point of attack and flashed some disruption created by penetration.

Tre’vonn Rybka also joined Kentucky’s odd front with the first team. Octavious Oxendine is another high-quality option along with Kahlil Saunders. J.J. Weaver got all of the snaps at Jack linebacker.

We’re entering the season thinking that Kentucky’s defense has a chance to be really good this season because of the front. That front impressed those in attendance on Friday.

An early look at Eric Wolford’s offensive line

Practice No. 3 was our first chance to look at Eric Wolford‘s second Kentucky offensive line. The starting unit was not a surprise.

• Left Tackle: Marques Cox
• Left Guard: Jager Burton
• Center: Eli Cox
• Right Guard: Jalen Farmer
• Right Tackle: Gerald Mincey

Farmer seems to have made a big impression during spring camp as the Florida transfer has seemingly locked up a starting spot at right guard. Mincey is expectedly getting snaps with the ones at right tackle. Dylan Ray is working with the twos at guard after starting 10 games for Kentucky last fall.

I did not see much rotation going on but that could always change. Kentucky seems to have its first five for now. Everyone but Farmer has started double-digit games in the SEC.

Khamari Anderson looks the part

Kentucky flipped Cincinnati commit Khamari Anderson after head coach Luke Fickell bolted for Wisconsin. That is starting to look like a big recruiting win. After playing 64 offensive snaps as a true freshman, Anderson seems primed for a bigger role this season.

We saw some of that role on Saturday.

The sophomore was getting snaps with the ones in 12 personnel and was even being split out wide by offensive coordinator Bush Hamdan. The second-year has a big frame that looks filled out after time spent in the weight room in the offseason. The former four-star prospect looks like someone who could have star potential.

Extra Nuggets

***New wide receivers coach Daikiel Shorts Jr. was spotted wearing a hoodie sweatshirt and long pants on a hot summer day. That’s one way to try to lose some water weight in the summer but his position group looked good. Everyone was full go and Dane Key looked noticeably bigger.

***The offense was working on getting plays in from the sideline using a check with me system that included offensive coordinator Bush Hamdan changing the plays. Most calls only consisted of two words and that seemed to help the offense line up faster. Hamdan was using a walkie-talkie to call in plays and that looked like a way for the offense to practice with the new helmet communication coming to college football.

***Former Ole Miss and Duke head coach David Cutcliffe was watching Kentucky’s practice today. The SEC recently hired the 69-year-old coach to a position to help Commissioner Greg Sankey. Cutcliffe spoke with Kentucky coaches throughout the practice.

***True freshman tailback Tovani Mizell was practicing but wearing a red non-contact jersey along with a big knee brace. The South Florida native looked well over 200 pounds but does not appear to be fully recovered from a knee injury that did not allow him to play football his senior season.