2025 Kentucky Position Previews: Defensive Line

Kentucky’s fall camp is off and running. Before the Cats officially begin the 2025 season, KSR is taking a closer look at the roster and analyzing each position group. Personnel, storylines, questions, and one bold prediction will be included.

Next up is a position where Kentucky is hoping to reload in 2025.

Position Preview: Quarterback, Running Back, Wide Receiver, Tight End, Offensive Line

Expected Starters

David Gusta (6-3, 317, RSr.)

The Washington State transfer was one of the highest-ranked interior defensive line transfers to become available this offseason and was a big recruiting win for the Wildcats. Gusta emerged as a productive interior pass rusher last season and gives the defensive line some interior positional flexibility.

Squatty defensive tackle with a thick lower base who plays with good pad level. Can torque body to split double teams in run game and pass rush. Should bring two-way value to Kentucky’s defensive front.

Kahlil Saunders (6-5, 293, RSr.)

This veteran is now in year five with the Kentucky program after playing 200-plus defensive snaps three seasons in a row. The Huntsville (Ala.) Grissom product has recorded 48 tackles and nine tackles for loss during his collegiate career. Saunders can play multiple spots along Kentucky’s front and is expected to have a big role this season.

Versatile lineman who can play inside as a three-technique or as a 3-4 defensive end. Should set a career-high in snaps this season.

Mi’Quise Humphrey-Grace (6-4, 270, RJr.)

One of Kentucky’s biggest transfer portal additions came from the FCS. Humphrey-Grace played high school football at Cincinnati (Ohio) Princeton before beginning his college football journey at South Dakota. The defensive end earned All-American honors after recording 17 tackles for loss and 9.5 sacks in 2024.

A 4-3 defensive end who should hold up well in Kentucky’s odd front. Put true two-way value with playmaking against the run and pass on tape.

Kentucky’s Defensive Line Room

Anwar Stewart is now in his sixth season as the defensive line coach at his alma mater. The 49-year-old has 12 total scholarship players in his room with a good blend of experience and young talent as Kentucky continually recruits this position well.

Josaih Hayes (6-3, 322, 6th)

Hayes was a massive SEC traditional footprint recruiting win in the 2020 high school cycle and now the former four-star recruit is back for year six on campus. The nose tackle has played 822 career snaps but redshirted in 2024 after suffering an Achilles injury. Kentucky will need the Mississippi native to be an anchor in the middle of their odd front and to take some snaps at nose tackle off David Gusta.

Jaden Williams (6-4, 295, RJr.)

Kentucky’s third transfer addition on the defensive line came from the Mountain West where Williams spent three seasons at Wyoming. The Southern California native recorded 20 tackles over 12 games for the Cowboys last season and will provide immediate depth at defensive tackle.

Tavion Gadson (6-5, 298, RSo.)

The former Florida State commit has had issues staying healthy during his first two seasons on campus but the program remains high on his potential. The Savannah (Ga.) Jenkins product gives UK a nice blend of size, mass, and athleticism along with some positional versatility.

Austin Ramsey (6-4, 303, RSo.)

The former offensive line recruit moved to Kentucky’s defensive line room in the middle of the season in 2024 to provide some nose tackle depth. Now the class of 2023 recruit is staying there. Ramsey will give UK more interior depth.

Jerod Smith II (6-4, 275, So.)

The Corbin (Ky.) High product was a huge recruiting win for Kentucky in the 2024 high school cycle as the blue-chip prospect flipped from Michigan. Smith played sparingly as a true freshman but projects to be a rotation player for UK at defensive end in year two.

Brian Robinson (6-5, 265, RFr.)

Robinson was a massive blue-chip recruiting win for Kentucky, but the talented young prospect took a redshirt season in year one. It sounds like another development year is needed for the Youngstown native.

Javeon Campbell (6-5, 246, Fr.)

Frankfort (Ky.) Western Hills product recorded 63 tackles, 20 tackles for loss, and 16 sacks as a senior. Had committable offers from Alabama, Auburn, Miami, and Ohio State. Campbell has the size and frame to play multiple positions along Kentucky’s defensive front. Must add mass and play strength to hold up as a run defender in the SEC but there is an extremely high upside.

Kalen Edwards (6-4, 328, Fr.)

The former Auburn commit ended up signing with Kentucky and was on campus for spring practice. Edwards gives this room another big body to use at nose tackle. A redshirt year is likely but Edwards projects to join the interior defensive rotation sooner rather than later.

Nic “Happy” Smith (6-5, 290, Fr.)

The Loganville (Ga.) Walnut Grove defensive lineman is a true developmental prospect. Owns a unique bundle of physical traits that include size, length, and a frame that will hold more weight. Smith could play multiple positions along Kentucky’s three-down front but needs technique work and time in a strength and conditioning program. Recorded 98 tackles, 19 tackles for loss, and six sacks as a junior and senior.

Big Question: How do the transfers fit?

The additions to the offensive line got most of the attention during the winter transfer portal window, but Kentucky was also busy rebuilding in the defensive line room this offseason. Deone Walker (540), Tre’vonn Rybka (418), Octavious Oxendine (371), and Keeshawn Silver (312) are no longer on the roster after playing over 300 snaps last season. There was a ton of snap volume to fill.

Expect the three transfer additions to fill a ton of it.

Washington State transfer David Gusta played 579 snaps last season and became one of the most productive interior pass rushers in college football. South Dakota transfer Mi’Quise Humphrey-Grace was one of the best defensive players in the FCS and played 730 snaps during a deep playoff run. Jaden Williams was a rotation defensive tackle at Wyoming who played 305 snaps and will fill a similar role at Kentucky.

The Wildcats will ask a ton from this group. Gusta and Humphrey-Grace will be asked to play big roles and become two of the better players on defense. The Cats are asking a lot of the new additions.

Top Storyline: How the former blue-chip recruiting wins perform

Josaih Hayes, Jerod Smith II, and Brian Robinson were each big recruiting high school recruiting wins for the Kentucky program. Expectations were high for each player. Hayes is entering his last ride and Smith and Robinson will be looking to secure a role in 2025.

Kentucky has their starters entrenched but a defensive line is only as good as its rotation.

After missing most of last season with an Achilles injury, Hayes will be asked to be a pillar for this Kentucky defense at nose tackle. Smith should become the top backup to Mi’Quise Humphrey-Grace at defensive end. Robinson was a ballyhooed recruit who is still looking for a long-term positional home.

The Cats need high-quality depth and for some young pieces to emerge and become future starters. These three players will play a part in all of that.

Bold Prediction: David Gusta and Mi’Quise Humphrey-Grace become stalwarts

Kentucky’s offensive line transactions in the transfer portal will be discussed all season but this program also made some big moves in the defensive line. The Cats won some competitive recruitments for defensive line help. Now it’s time to see if they get return on investment.

Everyone will be pleased with the results by the end of the season.

David Gusta will emerge as one of the best defensive tackles in the SEC and Mi’Quise Grace-Humphrey will have a very strong debut. Each will be a draft pick down the road. Kentucky will hit big on its biggest portal additions on defense.