Kentucky offensive line is transfer heavy

Tennessee transfer Gerald Mincey committed to Kentucky on Friday. The redshirt senior transfer will provide immediate quality depth at tackle and compete for a starting job beginning in spring camp. The SEC transfer joins Florida guard transfer Jalen Farmer as the second transfer to join Zach Yenser‘s room this offseason.

The Wildcats did sign three high school prospects in the 2024 early signing period, but the current roster-building on the offensive line at the Joe Craft Football Training Facility is very much reliant on free agents. Kentucky currently has 17 scholarship offensive lineman on the roster. Over 40 percent off the room was added via the transfer portal.

• Marques Cox (Northern Illinois)
• Tanner Bowles (Alabama)
• Courtland Ford (USC)
• Gerald Mincey (Florida/Tennessee)
• Ben Christman (Ohio State)
• Dylan Ray (West Virginia)
• Jalen Farmer (Florida)

Marques Cox is locked in as a starter at left tackle heading into year two at Kentucky. Gerald Mincey will compete with Courtland Ford for the starting right tackle position. Dylan Ray is returning starter at guard. Jalen Farmer will compete immediately for a starting position at guard. Ben Christman will be in the mix once he recovers from a knee injury suffered back in fall camp. Tanner Bowles is a quality depth piece.

Kentucky’s offensive line is transfer-heavy. Eli Cox and Jager Burton are the only high school signees expected to play starter’s snaps in 2024. The Wildcats need some better recruiting and development with high school prospects at this position. In the meantime, the program is banking on transfers to help raise the floor and improve the positional unit with the most to prove entering next season.

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