Darian Kinnard picked up another preseason All-American honor Wednesday. (UK Athletics Photo)
When Darian Kinnard decided to return to Kentucky for his senior season in 2021 rather than head to the NFL, it was a huge bonus for coach Mark Stoops. Preseason honors continue to show not only how much Kinnard should help the Wildcats again but also how much respect the offensive lineman has.
He was an All-American right tackle last season and despite shifting to left tackle this year, he continues to earn more national accolades.
The latest came from Phil Steele’s College Football Preview when the magazine announced he had been named a second-team All-American. He had previously been named a first-team preseason All-American by Athlon Sports and the Walter Camp Foundation where he was one of five offensive lineman selected for the first team.
If that’s not enough, the 6-5, 335-pound Kinnard was graded as the top run-blocking tackle for 2021 by Pro Football Focus.
He has played in 33 games and started the last 26 straight games. He was graded at 88 percent in 10 games last season with 40 knockdown blocks and 138 blocks at the point of attack.
Kinnard earned several All-American honors last year and was a candidate for the Outland Trophy given to the nation’s top interior lineman. Pro Football Focus ranked Kinnard as the No. 41 overall player in college football in 2020.
Kinnard is already being projected by many as a first-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft and no one at UK would disagree with that projection.
Kinnard could also be helping put UK in line for continued success. His preseason honors come at a perfect time to boost UK’s recruiting and recently one of the top recruits, Ryan Baer of Ohio, had a chance to meet Kinnard on campus.
