The defensive line will have to have a big year for the Wildcats to have a successful season. “Recover” is the operative word for the unit after losing projected starter Mister Cobble to academics and losing 2009 leader Corey Peters to the NFL draft. The Cats do return most of their talent at defensive end though, and a renewed emphasis has been put on speed and attacking the offensive line. With the lack of playing experience though, the unit is average to below-average per SEC standards. If a couple of guys can grow up quickly, the defensive line could go from a potential weak link to an area of strength for the Wildcats.
The Wall
#55 – DeQuinn Evans – SR – 6’3 / 255 – Los Angeles, CA
Evans is the real deal and one f the best defensive ends in the SEC. He plays with a mean streak and specializes in using hi speed to go after the QB. He will be in his second year out of JUCO and will be entering his final year at Kentucky. After a good performance last season, Evans can vault himself into elite status if he can get to the QB more consistently.
#53 – Ricky Lumpkin – SR – 6’4 / 305 – Clarksville, TN
The story on Lumpkin will be the same everywhere you read it. He has lots of potential, and he plays well, but struggles to stay healthy. After a full season last year, Lumpkin played in a rotation of players and proved to be a capable guy against the run and pass. This year he won’t be able to play in the shadows of Corey Peters though, and he will be the one drawing the double teams. His experience will be an asset in a group full of young guys.
#98 – Mark Crawford – JR – 6’1 / 300 – Indianapolis, IN
He’s not necessarily the starter yet, but played well this spring and exited atop the depth chart. Crawford is a lot like Myron Pryor in that he’s got a low center of gravity and holds up well against the run because he’s hard to move. Where Crawford needs to work is pass rushing. At this point, there looks to be a pretty regular rotation at defensive tackle and just because a guy starts doesn’t mean he’ll play the whole game.
#94 – Taylor Wyndham – SO – 6’4 / 240 – Swansea, SC
Another guy that hasn’t locked up a starting spot yet, I put Wyndham here only because he was on the SEC All-Freshman team last year and he showed some real promise when he got some reps. He’s fast, but a little light for the defensive end position and will need to recover from injury if he hopes to nail down a starting job. Like tackle, defensive end will likely see a regular rotation of players too.
The Contenders
#96 – Collins Ukwu – SO – 6’5 / 250 – La Vergne, TN
As Wyndham’s main competition at defensive end, Ukwu is a little heavier and might hold up better against the run. He was considered a project player when he signed as a 200-pound defensive end and he should be ready to really contribute this year. Expect to see him on the field quite a bit even if he isn’t starting.
#92 – Shane McCord – SR – 6’2 / 290 – Hartwell, GA
McCord will be right in the mix of things at defensive tackle and will be competing for one of the starting spots. He’ll nee to prove he can play the run and pass equally well to beat out Crawford and the youngsters though. McCord provides a veteran presence to go along with Lumpkin and he will have to be ready to play at all times this year (if he doesn’t win a starting job) because he figures to be relied heavily upon in the DT rotation.
The Supporting Cast
#51 – Tristian Johnson – FR – 6’1 / 260 – LaGrange, GA
Johnson exited spring listed as the backup to DeQuin Evans at weak-side defensive end. He’s the shortest defensive end on the roster, but has speed and quickness to aid him in getting by the blockers. He should see the field on special teams at the very least, and should also log minutes on defense.
#95 – Patrick Ligon – FR – 6’4 / 240 – Germantown, TN
Ligon is a coaches son and plays like one. He’s not the best athlete at the position, but plays with a non-stop motor and quietly had a solid spring. Like Johnson, he should see the field as part of the rotation at defensive end and figures to play on special teams as well.
#45 – Antwane Glenn – JR – 6’3 / 260 – Pacolet, SC
Glenn will need to step up now if he hopes to ever earn a letter with Kentucky. He’s played in only five games during his first two years at Kentucky and is light for a defensive tackle at 260 pounds. With so much talent behind him, falling behind the freshmen might not be something he can recover from.
The Newcomers
#90 – Justin Henderson – FR – 6’3 / 240 – Bamberg, SC
Enrolling in January and participating in spring practices was a big step in Henderson getting to play this fall. The defensive end group isn’t overly deep, so playing as a freshman is a distinct possibility for him.
#60 – Nermin Delic – FR – 6’5 / 260 – Dalton, Ga
There was some discussion as to whether Delic fit in better as a tight end or defensive end, but based on the coaches’ praise early in camp, it looks like he’s found a home on defense. Like Henderson, he may end up playing as a freshman because of limited depth at DE.
#99 – Donte Rumph – FR – 6’3 / 265 – St. Matthews, SC
I highly doubt Rumph only weighs 265 based on pictures of him from fan day. After attempting for two long years, he successfully enrolled at UK and will help offset the loss of Mister Cobble this season. If he is in playing shape, it’s hard to see him not getting on the field this fall.
#93 – Elliott Porter – FR – 6’3 / 290 – Waggaman, LA
Porter picked Kentucky after being spurned by LSU. He’s gained admittance to UK and will begin practicing immediately. He should add more depth to the defensive tackle position and if he has been working hard his summer he could see the field right away.
#91 – Brice Laughlin – FR – 6’3 / 280 – Summerville, SC
It’s not exactly clear if coaches plan on using Laughlin as a defensive end or defensive tackle this year but the consensus seems to be that his long-term future is at DT. Adding Porter hurts his chances to play right away, but there’s still an outside chance he sees the field this season.
#50 – Mike Douglas – FR – 6’4 / 225 – Largo, FL
Douglas is an athletic specimen and will eventually be a pass-rushing terror for SEC offenses. He has great speed for a guy as big as he is and his reported 4.6 forty yard dash time would put him in front of some teams’ wide receivers. He will probably sit out this year with a redshirt, but it’s not beyond the realm of possibility that he sees the field.
#61 – Alvin Davis – FR – 6’4 / 225 – Jesup, GA
Davis is a project player, but an athletic one. He is being developed as a defensive end and will fill a similar role to Douglas as a pass-rusher. He is likely to redshirt this year as he physically prepares for life in SEC football.
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