Jon Hale Looks at Next Year's UK Defensive Line

[akaukswoosh]

http://www.courier-journal.com/stor...7/uk-position-review-defensive-line/76917346/

LEXINGTON, Ky. -- With the 2015 regular season finished, it’s time to take a position-by-position look at the Kentucky football roster. The Courier-Journal's position report card series continues with the defensive line...

Returning starters: There will be no shortage of turnover on the Kentucky defensive line in 2016 as the Wildcats only return two part-time starters. Sophomore nose guard Matt Elam started four games in 2015 after Melvin Lewis went down with a season-ending leg injury and totaled 23 tackles with one-half tackle for loss in 12 games. Sophomore defensive tackle Regie Meant opened the 2015 season as a starter, but lost his starting job to breakout star C.J. Johnson while injured before returning to the starting lineup in certain 4-3 packages late in the season. Meant totaled 31 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss and one sack in 10 games.

 

[canebreak]

Basically rebuilding from an awful year. We will struggle to win five games next year. Maybe one SEC win next year

 

[Mr Schwump]

Entering spring '16 this bunch is far from a SEC unit. They are likely to get at least one and possibly 2 JUCOs that could help but as of now it's hard to feel good about them. Worst still is the 3 HS guys will almost definitely have to play and it's doubtful any are anywhere near ready to contribute.

 

[UKCatNnc]

Dismal. That is how it sounds to me. However, as a Wildcat fan, I always have high hopes. Go Cats!!

 

[vhcat70]

Unfair to call Elam part time starter. Once Lewis went down, he was full time. Which is what he'd be next year nayway but instead has a lot more experience.

 

[qwesley]

Perhaps the worst DL in the classic BCS conferences. Need some miracles there.

 

[gobigblue812_rivals29381]

Time for some young guys to make some progress.

 

[truebluewildcat_rivals34254]

staff needs to bring in about 3 jucos and/or transfers just for the sake of depth and having enough able bodies to rotate throughout the game...Elam is sucking air after a series...he alone needs two guys to rotate with...

Add LB to the list...losing 4 Srs from that group...might want to grab a juco/transfer at that position as well...

 

[TotesMcGotes]

call me naive, but I think Elam turns a corner this offseason and he shows us why he was a 5 star recruit next season. He realizes now it takes more than sheer size to play in the SEC, but size is most def required. I think he puts that size to work and has a great offseason and season in 2016

 

[Rhavic]

I think Kentucky just needs a new defensive system. Having the DB corps that Kentucky has (and everybody here should agree that it is good, it was ranked 31st in the country this year, and we rolled out 3 true freshman starters), it gives UK the chance to change things up in the front. Ways to generate a pass rush without blitzing every single play.

If Kentucky isn't going to beat them by talent, beat them by size (Elam), and numbers.