(Vicky Graff Photo)
Kentucky’s offensive line did not live up to the Big Blue Wall standards last season, one reason UK had “only” a seven-win season when it had much higher expectations.
New offensive coordinator Liam Coen and second-year offensive line coach Zach Yenser are re-tooling the line this season with position moves and new players.
One major move being tried is moving Eli Cox back to guard after he played center last season and moving Jager Burton from guard to center, a position he’s never played.
Tuesday Burton impressed Coen with his play in practice.
“The last three days — today I don’t know if you’d say it was the best of the three — but his previous two were really good,” Coen said about Burton. “If I was taking one positive out of the last couple of practices really, it was Jager.
“In terms of getting better, the snaps, comfort level, playing that position, making the calls, he took a huge step over the last few days.”
Burton’s improvement could be one reason the offense was more effective running the ball Tuesday — two days after head coach Mark Stoops blasted his team for its lackadaisical practice efforts.
Running back Ray Davis, a Vanderbilt transfer, appreciates what Burton is doing.
“It’s very hard to play center. I praise Jager a lot for stepping in and taking that position — coming in and playing center is a huge deal,” Davis said. “I respect him a lot. I don’t think I could play that position.
“I got a lot of respect for him and he hasn’t complained one bit. He’s accepted the challenge and that’s a guy I want to go to war with every day.”
2 Responses
Coen knows his coaching. He knows you build a line one position at a time with the Center position being key. Last season I think KY had the horses but they just weren’t pulling the plow effectively. Hopefully we can get it together in "23.
Pieces are coming together I think