Eli Cox (UK Athletics Photo)
ESPN/SEC Network analyst Cole Cubelic is a former collegiate offensive linemen who deeply appreciated what former UK coach John Schlarman did to build the Big Blue Wall. The UK offensive line has not been the same since Schlarman’s death but Cubelic believes there are “reasons for confidence” about the unit going into this season.
Cubelic thinks bringing Eric Wolford back to coach the offensive line after he bolted for Alabama two years ago was a positive move.
“With the overall talent in the room, they have the opportunity to have a group that is solid,” Cubelic said. “I have seen some Kentucky lines overachieve and be great. I have seen some underachieve.”
Returning Eli Cox at center and Marques Cox at left tackle gives UK a strong nucleus in the line.
“Marques Cox was solid all last season. Eli Cox has played a lot of football and has the brainpower to handle all the calls up front and I think (offensive coordinator) Bush (Hamdan) will put most of that on him and take it off the quarterback,” Cubelic said. “(Guard) Jager Burton played a lot last year and is a finisher, grinder who gets after you. (Guard) Dylan Ray has got a mean streak I like.”
Tennessee transfer Gerald Mincey could be the key.
“At times he did not want to play right tackles at Tennessee. He has the ability and talent to help this team,” Cubelic said. “(Florida transfer) Jalen Farmer is a good backup right tackle.
“They just don’t have a lot of depth but there are reasons for optimism with the line. It’s just that we don’t know exactly how much optimism but there are reasons to feel pretty good about things.”
One Response
Our starters are going to be very very good and we do finally have a little more depth which should help out a lot. One thing we can’t have is injuries. We need to rotate the line so everyone is fresh injuries usually occur when a player is tired. I would take our starting line over anyone else because of experience. Cox and Cox have been playing college football since most of the guys they are going up against were in middle school. We should have a big advantage because of that. Also Jager Burton will be his third year starting. Mincey started a lot of games at Tennessee who had a great offensive line and he’s in his 5th year of college football. Dylan Ray surprised me, he’s a head hunter and should be much improved starting all last year. Jalen Farmer could start for any other team in the SEC. We also have some guys who have been around for a couple of years. I thought Ben Christman would start last year but he got injured and that let Dylan Ray get a ton of experience. Christman was one of the best offensive lineman coming out of high school. I think by the middle of the year he starts showing his worth. We have some young guys too that should get some reps. We need to destroy the teams we should beat to get all these guys up to par. A big problem has been we play everyone close so the backups don’t get enough playing time. That should change this year. I can’t wait for Southern Miss. That game isn’t a gimme game but it needs too be. They are a good team year in year out. I will know what to expect by halftime of that game.