Kentucky OL Paul Rodriguez Medically Retires

There’s one less brick on the Big Blue Wall. On Wednesday, the first day of practice for the Kentucky football team, offensive lineman Paul Rodriguez announced he’s medically retiring from football.

“Due to a lower back and spinal injury, I’ve unfortunately medically retired from the game of football,” Rodriguez said in a social media post.

“I want to thank all my coaches and teammates for the past three years. There’s no place I’d rather be. It’s hard to walk away from the game I’ve been playing since I was a little kid but I believe everything happens for a reason.”

A 6-foot-5, 325-pound lineman from Mason, OH, Rodriguez was a three-star prospect in Kentucky’s 2021 recruiting class. The reserve offensive guard saw action in all 13 games last season as a part of the Wildcats’ special teams unit.

This is not the first surprising exit from an offensive line following the return of offensive line coach Eric Wolford. Kentucky native Tanner Bowles transferred from Alabama for the 2023 campaign and played a reserve role throughout the year. He initially planned on playing one more season as a Super Senior, but ultimately decided to move on from the game of football.

It’s the second straight preseason where Kentucky lost an offensive lineman due to a medical retirement. Former four-star offensive tackle Nik Hall hung up his cleats last summer after suffering a back/neck injury. OT Josh Jones also medically retired last summer. Players who medically retire are allowed to maintain their scholarship to finish their academic career without counting against the football program’s scholarship limit.

Injuries happen in the game of football. It’s a great sport, but when it comes to back and neck injuries, it’s not worth the risk. It’s surely a tough pill for Rodriguez to swallow. Best of luck to the Wildcat as he pursues his passions outside of football.

Class of 2020: Deondre Buford (starter at Cincinnati), RJ Adams (multi-transfer), Josh Jones (med retire)

Class of 2021: Jager Burton, David Wohlabaugh (starter at Syracuse), Paul Rodriguez (med retire)

Class of 2022: Kiyaunta Goodwin (transfer + ?), Grant Bingham (portal +…

— Adam Luckett (@AdamLuckettKSR) July 31, 2024

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