Offensive tackle Jeremy Flax appreciates that Zach Yenser does not yell and scream at players

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Jeremy Flax (77) has been UK's No. 1 left tackle during spring practice. (Vicky Graff Photo)

He knows the criticism/questions are not personal but junior offensive tackle Jeremy Flax hears and sees the concern about what the Kentucky offense is going to do at tackle this season after losing Darian Kinnard and Dare Rosenthal off last year’s 10-win team.

“For me, it motivates me a lot. I see stuff and try not to pay attention to the negatives,” Flax said. “I try to use it as motivation to live up to the standards of the Big Blue Wall. I feel like I am progressing a lot physically and mentally. The game has slowed down. I have been in the gym losing weight. I feel I am in a good spot.”

Flax played in only one game in 2020 after coming to UK from Independence Community College. Last year the Detroit native played in 11 of 13 games and he’s No. 1 at left tackle in spring practice.

However, Flax made a very insightful comment about the value of new offensive line coach Zach Yenser. He takes over after Eric Wolford, who left for Alabama, coached the O-line in 2021 following the death of beloved offensive line coach John Schlarman in 2020.

Flax said the coaching change this year has helped him “keep off the field things off the field and stay focused” on what he needs to do. He said Yenser is more his style of coach.

“He is used to working with older adults (in the NFL). He does not yell and scream at you,” Flax said. “If you do mess up he is not going to shun you. He makes you feel like you can get it back.”

Not exactly a ringing endorsement for Wolford and may show why there was no despair over Wolford leaving — and maybe why the offensive line coach never bothered to say farewell to his players.

Flax was a four-star recruit who picked UK over Auburn after his one year at community college. 247Sports had him ranked as the eighth-best junior college recruit available when he chose Kentucky.

Flax said new offensive coordinator Rich Scangarello has basically the same offense as former offensive coordinator Liam Coen — just with different blocking wrinkles.

He was used at right tackle last season but says the move to left tackle has gone smoothly thanks to Yenser and new graduate assistant Drake Jackson, a three-year starter at center for UK under Schlarman.

“There’s great chemistry with him from playing with him,” Flax said.

Then another zinger toward Wolford.

“I am actually learning how to take proper notes and write down stuff the right way,” Flax, who hopes to drop his weight from 330 pounds to 315 before next season, said. “I want to get so far in the playbook that I can call out plays like a quarterback. I want to know everything before I do it.”

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