Kentucky's offensive line showing more aggression compared to last season

Following Saturday’s closed scrimmage, Kentucky football outside linebacker JJ Weaver was surprisingly blunt with his assessment of last year’s offensive line.

“Last year we didn’t really have no good competition, being honest,” Weaver told reporters.

While this is hardly news to anyone that followed the Wildcats during the 2022 season, hearing Weaver say it out loud is the confirmation everyone needed — even the players knew how bad the offensive line was. That version of the Big Blue Wall was made up of pillows instead of bricks. But head coach Mark Stoops went into the offseason with the intention to address that issue and brought in a fresh group of linemen that more closely resembles the reputation that the late John Schlarman created many years ago.

“You see them getting better and better every day, but I think the biggest thing that stands out to me is how well they work with (offensive line) Coach (Zach) Yenser,” Quarterback Devin Leary said about the offensive line on Saturday. “They constantly want to meet with him, they constantly pick his brain and ask what they could do better. And then really they just learn off of each other. You’ve got guys like Eli Cox, (Kenneth) Horsey, even Marques Cox, they’ve played a ton of snaps but you see them relaying what they’ve learned or certain reps to younger guys, which is really cool to see.

Last year’s Big Blue Wall could hardly even be considered a Power 5 offensive line. The Wildcats gave up an average of 3.5 sacks per game, which ranked 121 out of 131 in the nation and worst in the Southeastern Conference. Future second-round NFL Draft pick Will Levis was banged up for the majority of the season, in part due to a lack of protection in the pocket. Not even Chris Rodriguez could power through to the next level of defense at the same rate he did in 2021.

But as Stoops does, he retooled through the transfer portal. Mainstays such as Eli Cox, Horsey, and Jeremy Flax returned, as did redshirt sophomore Jager Burton, and in came the likes of Marques Cox (Northern Illinois), Tanner Bowles (Alabama), Ben Christman (Ohio State), Dylan Ray (West Virginia), and Courtland Ford (Southern California). What was once considered to be a thin room with a lack of talent is now deep with plenty of rotatable options.

“Man, they so aggressive now. I’m loving it,” Weaver said. “They’re driving the d-line off the ball every play, so that’s good. Showing they’re getting better, and back to being the Big Blue Wall that we need.“

In particular, Marques Cox and Burton were praised by their teammates. Weaver is embracing the challenge of battling against Cox at left tackle while Leary was complimentary of Burton’s ability to pick up the center position so quickly. Roles are being defined.

There are plenty of positives to talk about with that position group right now with the season opener just three weeks away.

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