SEC Post Signing Day Position Rankings: Kentucky Offensive Line
In 2016, Kentucky Football finished the season with two 1,000 yard rushers in Benny Snell and Boom Williams.
Last week, ESPN did some work to rank each position group going into the season. National Signing Day presented each school with a few game-changers on the Offensive Line. Sam Khan Jr. at ESPN ranked the Kentucky Football Offensive Line as the ninth best in the SEC.
Leading the pack, as expected, is Alabama. The Crimson Tide return three of the five starters from last season. Nick Saban also added two highly touted recruits in five-star Alex Leatherwood, and top-ranked Junior College tackle, Elliot Baker.
Following Alabama, the rest of the top ten included LSU, Auburn, Missouri, Arkansas, Florida, Ole Miss, Texas A&M, Kentucky, and Tennessee.
Replacing The Centerpiece
Part of the reason that Kentucky is not higher on this list is because of the departure of All-SEC Center, Jon Toth. As Kentucky’s anchor up front, Toth was a mauler. With ruthless hands and true grit and athleticism, Toth will be a hot commodity during the draft.
Right Guard, Ramsey Meyers also called it quits in 2016. Meyers split time with Bunchy Stallings last season.
Replacing a player like Jon Toth will definitely not be easy. Some have looked for Bunchy Stallings to step in after spending much of the season at Guard. Others might vouch for redshirt freshman Drake Jackson to get the nod up front. Jackson, a Woodford County High School (KY) alumni was a highly touted 4-star recruit that won over the hearts of many division one coaches. Jackson, an Army All-American, has spent a year learning the system and looks to compete for the starting job at center in the spring.
Drake was ranked as the No. 2 center prospect in his class. Here are some highlights of Drake as he finished in the Final 5 of The Opening offensive lineman in 2015. The video shows Jackson, competing against the top five defensive line prospects in the country.
2017 Outlook
Next season should show no regression in the run game. Benny Snell returns as does speedster Sihiem King. Both backs can pack a punch and hit the home run ball at any time. Whoever gets the nod at Center will have some very big shoes to fill. Cats fans can look for Jon Toth’s name to be called early on in this summers NFL Draft.
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The rest of the offensive line projects to have some great experience and youth. Landon Young, Cole Mosier, Nick Haynes, George Asafo-Adjei, Kyle Meadows, Bunchy Stallings, Tate Leavitt, Logan Stenburg, and Drake Jackson Make up the competition on the line for the Spring. It will be a fun group to watch. Don’t sleep on 2017 recruit Austin Dotson. The Belfry High School (KY) Tackle should turn some heads.