When you think of Kentucky football at it's height under Mark Stoops, you think of the Big Blue Wall. New offensive coordinate Joe Sloan talked about building an offensive "powerhouse" at Kentucky during his intro presser. But every single Wildcats fan knows that starts with the Big Blue Wall, not the quarterback room.
That is why LSU transfer lineman Carius Curne is such a critical name to watch right now.
#TRENDING Kentucky is reportedly a school to watch for former four-star, top-100 offensive lineman Carius Curne,
— THE Kentucky Report (@thekyreport) December 19, 2025
He played 305 snaps in just seven games last year at LSU. #bbn pic.twitter.com/vRiih0SB8M
Curne isn't just a "body." He was the No. 1 player in Arkansas coming out of high school, a top-100 national recruit who flipped from the Razorbacks to LSU. He is 6-foot-4, 320 pounds, and possesses the kind of freakish athleticism that allowed him to play defensive tackle and throw the shot put in high school.
Most importantly, he has real SEC experience. Curne logged 305 snaps in just seven games last season for LSU, stepping in at left tackle when injuries hit the Tigers. That is trial by fire against SEC defensive ends.
Landing Carius Curne would calm a lot of nerves about the Big Blue Wall
The timing of his entry into the portal is massive for Kentucky. Jalen Farmer, the rock of Kentucky’s line who started all 12 games and allowed only one sack, just declared early for the NFL Draft. That leaves a gaping hole in the middle of the line.
New offensive line coach Cutter Leftwich has a room full of big frames, guys like Evan Wibberley, Jason Ekperuoh, and Hayes Johnson, but they are unproven. Relying on redshirt freshmen to protect your quarterback in the SEC is a dangerous gamble.
That is where Curne comes in. He has already lived the grind. He understands the speed of the game. He offers position versatility, having played tackle at LSU and guard/tackle in high school. He could slide in as a stabilizing piece while the staff develops the younger talent.
If Sloan and Stein want to play fast and score big, the first huge "recruitment" they win this winter might not be a skill guy. It might be convincing Carius Curne to rebuild the Big Blue Wall in Lexington.