Frederick Douglass product Jager Burton will make his first start for UK Saturday. (Vicky Graff Photo)
Redshirt freshmen Jager Burton and David Wohlabaugh both figured to play in Kentucky’s offensive line this season. However, I am not sure anyone figured both would be starting in UK’s opening game Saturday night against Miami of Ohio.
Burton will start in place of injured Kenneth Horsey, a returning starter, at left guard. Wohlabaugh won the job at left tackle open by the departure of Dare Rosenthal off last year’s team.
“I am excited about those guys playing and they have earned it,” first-year offensive line coach Zach Yenser said. “I have got a lot of confidence in both of them. Smart guys, tough guys. They know the offense.”
Yenser said both took advantage of opportunities they had and both have also had reps on the right side of the line.
Yenser said it helps that both are intelligent football players.
“Guys do a good job in the classroom but there is also football intelligence and watching film and being able to digest everything,” the UK offensive line coach said. “They have done a good job with that.”
Wohlabaugh’s father is a former NFL player and the UK redshirt freshman’s brother plays at Duke. Yenser said growing up around football has helped Wohlabaugh.
“It (offensive line) is the toughest position to play as a young guy. You have to be a man, especially in this league,” Yenser said. “His background certainly does not hurt. I felt like through the whole process he became the most consistent (tackle) and we have a lot of confidence in him. He’s good in the run game and athletically he’s getting smarter with (pass) protection.”
Yenser said Burton and Wohlabaugh have one edge — going against UK’s defensive front daily.
“Our defense gets us prepared for a lot of things. Our guys have seen a lot of things (during the preseason),” Yenser said.
He says UK has ways to help “protect” the two new starters if needed.
“We will see how the game goes but we have answers for everything (Miami might do),” Yenser said.
