Almost every pre-season preview of the Wildcats football team has pointed out that the offensive line unit could be a weakness for Kentucky. The argument (which is legit) is that any team would struggle to replace four starters across the line, like Kentucky will have to do this season. That being considered, the Wildcat offensive line will be returning arguably their best player from last year and a host of talented young guys that have plenty of experience and starts among them even if they weren’t full time starters last season. The O-Line could very well make or break the offensive gameplan for Kentucky.
Offensive Line
The Headliners
LT: #66 – Chandler Burden – JR – 6’4 / 291 – Blue Ash, OH
It would be too early to declare Burden the starter at left tackle at this point. While the battle for the job is ongoing, it will be tough for anyone to beat out Burden because of his speed and athleticism after switching from defensive end this spring. He has the size and tenacity for the position, if he can get the nuances of blocking the defenses best pass rusher down he could be next in a line of great blind-side tackles at Kentucky.
LG: #70 – Stuart Hines – JR – 6’4 / 291 – Bowling Green, KY
Few people thought Hines would be the stand out he is now when he came to Kentucky from Bowling Green high school in 2007. After playing in 12 games as a redshirt freshman, he stepped into a full-time starting role last season and is the team’s only returning starter this year. Hines is one of the most underrated players on Kentucky’ team and if he can improve on last season’s performance he could find himself as an All-SEC candidate if not an All-American.
C: #69 – Matt Smith – SO – 6’4 / 288 – Louisville, KY
A guy that could have been categorized as an “ATH” when coming out of high school at St. X in Louisville, Smith had a solid career on the offensive and defensive sides of the ball. After a redshirt season and a year in the rotation backing up Jorge Gonzalez, Smith is primed to take over a starting role in his sophomore season. Similar to Burden, Smith does not have the center job locked up yet. At this point though, it looks like the job is his to lose.
RG: #67 – Larry Warford – SO – 6’3 / 329 – Richmond, KY
The first thing you have to say about Warford is that he’s a big guy. He will step into the lineup replacing last year’s starter Christian Johnson, but it shouldn’t be a huge adjustment. Last season Warford saw plenty of time on the field while playing in ten games and was even voted to the SEC All-Freshman team. He’ll take over full-time this year and use his size to open holes for the running backs and keep the quarterback’s jersey clean.
RT: #75 – Brad Durham – SR – 6’4 / 321 – Mt. Vernon, KY
Despite Hines being the only returning starter, Durham is actually the team’s most experienced lineman. He’s played in all 39 games over his first three years and has actually starter seven games at right tackle. This will be his first season as a full-time starter but his experience should make him a leader on the unit. At right tackle, his primary job will be plowing the way for the running backs and he should have all the tools to do so.
The supporting cast:
#52 – Billy Joe Murphy – JR – 6’6 / 294 – Gamaliel, KY
Heading into his junior year, Murphy has played in 20 games and started three at tackle. He will be the top competition for Chandler Burden at the left tackle position. He has imposing size at 6’6, but he hasn’t been able to break through yet. This summer might be his last chance to establish himself as a starter.
#63 – Jake Lanefski – JR – 6’4 / 292 – Mobile, AL
Possibly the most versatile player on the team, Lanefski returns this season after missing most of last season to injury. He’ll be in the mix to start at center this season and will compete with Smith and Davis for the job. Lanefski played at several different positions and is expected to contribute heavily to the rotation at guard and center if he doesn’t win the starting job at center.
#77 – Marcus Davis – SR – 6’1 / 283 – Union, KY
The only walk-on that has a real chance to break into the starting lineup is Davis. He is one of the smaller linemen on the roster, but has experience and is reliable. He’ll be in the discussion at center, but winning the job might be a long shot. Davis should figure into the rotation at center and/or guard if he does not win the starting role.
#79 Kevin Mitchell – FR – 6’6 / 326 – Winston, GA
The title of biggest man on the team goes to Mitchell. He is listed as a guard on the depth chart and figures to backup Hines or Warford while potentially getting some snaps to relieve the starters from time to time.
#74 – Trevino Woods – SO – 6’5 / 290 – Athens, GA
Expected to be one of the top backups at tackle, Woods has not seen the field in his first two years. He is the one of the lightest tackles on the roster at this point, but his speed and athleticism will be an asset to him in pass protection. He’s only an injury or two from being a regular contributor.
#59 – Dave Ulinski – SO – 6’5 / 321 – Louisville, KY
One of the true wild cards in the offensive line unit is Ulinski. He has the size and talent to make a serious play for almost any position, but he’s had to battle the old concussion recently. If he can stay healthy, Ulinski should have a bright future with the team and will figure prominently into the rotation along the offensive line at guard or tackle.
#56 – Sam Simpson – FR – 6’4 / 275 – Lexington, KY
Lexington’s own Sam Simpson will have the opportunity to compete for the starting center job this fall. He was cross-trained at guard this spring and could also find himself at either guard position if he doesn’t win the center job. He figures to be in the mix to see playing time regardless of position.
#58 – Sean Stackhouse – SO – 6’4 / 265 – Jacksonville, FL
Stackhouse came to Kentucky as a tight end, but was switched over to the offensive line shortly after arriving on campus. There have been rumors of him switching back to tight end, but that seems unlikely with the depth built at the position over the past few classes. Stackhouse could see the field as a special teams contributor, but is unlikely to contend for the starting job.
#72 – Ryan Wallace – SO – 6’5 / 250 – Bowling Green, KY
Wallace was switched over to the offensive line after spring and joins Stackhouse as a converted tight end. He