Keeshawn Silver is continuing to make strides at Kentucky

Former North Carolina defensive tackle Keeshawn Silver was a notable transfer portal addition for Kentucky last offseason. The former five-star recruit struggled to find playing time in his first two seasons in Chapel Hill but became a starter in year one at Kentucky.

After playing 291 snaps and earning 11 starting assignments last year, Silver is looking to take the next step for the Wildcats as a redshirt junior. The Rocky Mount (N.C.) High product is down to 317 pounds. Defensive line coach Anwar Stewart would like to see Silver drop some more pounds, but that might not be possible due to how big he is. For now, Kentucky wants to see the defensive tackle take the commitment to be great step in his individual development.

“Now it’s just about the weight room, it’s about film, it’s about coming early, leaving late, and just stressing me,” Stewart said. “Stressing my GA (graduate assistant). ‘Hey coach, let’s watch film’.”

“Keeshawn did some really good things for us. He’s a big, strong athletic kid.”

Deone Walker is the star for the Kentucky defensive line, but the positional unit returns numerous high-quality complementary pieces in 2024. Keeshawn Silver is one of those, and the ceiling is still extremely high for the former ballyhooed recruit. Now the veteran needs to take the next step.

Expect Silver to play a big role in the trenches for Kentucky this fall after a solid year one.

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