Anwar Stewart, left, with former UK teammates Dennis Johnson and Anthony White. (Larry Vaught Photo)
Make no mistake that I am a bit biased when it comes to Kentucky defensive line coach Anwar Stewart.
I knew him when he played at Kentucky from 1996 to 1996 under coaches Bill Curry and Hal Mumme. One of his teammates was Anthony White, a former UK all-SEC running back who I do a radio show with each Sunday morning in Lexington on WLAP (630 AM).
I was happy when Stewart came back to UK as a student assistant and defensive assistant under Mark Stoops from 2017-18. He left for one year at Appalachian State before Stoops brought him back in 2020.
Kentucky’s defensive line play has been solid and produced Quinton Bohanna who now plays for the Dallas Cowboys, Marquan McCall who plays for the Carolina Panthers and Phil Hoskins who played for the Panthers also and is now on the team’s practice squad.
Stewart was also instrumental in the recruitment of star freshman defensive lineman Deone Walker, who earned all-SEC honors and freshman all-American honors.
The Lexington Herald Leader’s Jon Hale reported this week that Stewart had a new contract that would pay him $350,000 in 2023 and $375,000 in 2024.
Kentucky defensive coordinator Brad White has put together one of the SEC’s better defenses in recent years and Stewart’s unit has had a major role in that success.
“I really like coach Stewart,” said Boyle County defensive lineman Tommy Ziesmer, who will sign with UK next week. “He’s a big reason I am going to Kentucky. I know he will push me to make me the best player I can be.”
