Kentucky has had an offensive line problem for the last three seasons. That inefficiency in the trenches has played a big role in three consecutive disappointing seasons. Mark Stoops knew this problem had to get fixed for the Wildcats to get back on track. The program went into the transfer portal to address the entire […]
Kentucky has had an offensive line problem for the last three seasons. That inefficiency in the trenches has played a big role in three consecutive disappointing seasons. Mark Stoops knew this problem had to get fixed for the Wildcats to get back on track. The program went into the transfer portal to address the entire unit.
Joshua Braun (Arkansas), Shiyazh Pete (New Mexico State), and Alex Wollschlaeger (Bowling Green) will join returnees Jager Burton and Jalen Farmer in the starting lineup. That first unit was established during spring practice and has not changed in the months since. But what about depth? That is something we’re all still trying to find out.
Stoops feels good about where Kentucky is at entering the season.
“Right now I feel like we have eight that can play winning football at the level that we need them to play. And we’re working on nine and ten,” Stoops said at the Greater Louisville UK Alumni 2025 Wildcat Kickoff Luncheon at Churchill Downs on Monday. “That’s a good thing. We have some versatility with the eight to bounce some guys around. So that’s good. That’s better than we were a year ago.”
“Last year I felt like we were at five and then we got an injury or two and all of a sudden we were in bad shape. And we played that way.”
Starting right tackle Gerald Mincey missed multiple starts. The same was true for Burton. Kentucky had massive issues throughout the season because of it. Stoops feels like the Big Blue Wall could be in better shape in 2025 because of personnel additions plus in-house development.
Malachi Wood had to step in and start five games at right tackle unexpectedly as a redshirt freshman. That experience gained should increase his value as a swing tackle in 2025. Evan Wibberley started 15 consecutive games at center for WKU before entering the transfer portal. The Northern Kentucky native gives the Wildcats insurance in case the experiment with Burton in the pivot does not go well. Aba Selm was an in-state recruiting win who received snaps with the second unit his entire true freshman season. Now the redshirt freshman is in position to provide depth at guard.
Kentucky is attempting to develop some other young players in the offensive line room but the head coach feels good about this unit’s first eight. Much is riding on this group entering the season as UK looks to get back to its ground-and-pound offensive philosophy. The offensive line must be able to consistently reset the line of scrimmage and play winning football even if an injury or two arrives.
Category: General Sports
