Kentucky Wildcats Football Position Preview: Defensive Line
By Jason Marcum
Oct 22, 2011; Lexington, KY, USA; Kentucky Wildcats defensive tackle Donte Rumph (99) celebrates after a play during the game against the Jacksonville State Gamecocks at Commonwealth Stadium. Kentucky defeated Jacksonville State 38-14. Mandatory Credit: Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports
DT Donte Rumph
Rumph’s best game at UK came late last year when he was named SEC lineman of the week after Kentucky’s 34-3 win against Samford. Rumph totaled five tackles (four solos) with a sack (minus-7 yards) and caused a fumble. In the second quarter, Rumph recorded a sack and knocked out the football, which Tristian Johnson returned 25 yards for a touchdown. The Wildcats defense limited Samford to minus-2 yards rushing on 27 attempts and recorded five sacks of Bulldog quarterbacks. Samford had 102 total offensive yards for the game.
Rumph finished the 2012 season with 36 tackles, four sacks and six tackles for loss. Kentucky was without Rumph for most of the spring practices, but is now fully healthy and ready for the upcoming season.
Rumph is due for a big senior season as he thrives under former Florida State Defensive Coordinator Mark Stoops, who has coached plenty of NFL-caliber lineman, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see NFL scouts begin to take notice of Rumph as the 2013 season progresses. Expect Rumph to get around 50 tackles, 7-10 TFLs, and 4-6 sacks this year, and be an All-SEC honorable mention.