Kenneth Horsey Returns to His Rightful Place on the Big Blue Wall

On3 imageby:Nick Roush01/05/23

RoushKSR

The Big Blue Wall received some big news Thursday afternoon when Kenneth Horsey announced he will use his COVID-19 waiver for one more year of eligibility at the University of Kentucky. The return of No. 68 for a Super Senior season is a big deal for the Kentucky offensive line that is trying to rediscover its identity amid years of change and turnover. Keeping Kenneth Horsey in the fold is a step in the right direction.

Kenneth Horsey Returns to Guard

The last 14 games we’ve seen Kenneth Horsey in a Kentucky football uniform, he’s been playing out of position. Dare Rosenthal‘s premature departure forced Horsey to slide to left tackle in the Citrus Bowl, and after a swing and a miss with Tyler Steen in the transfer portal, he stayed there throughout the 2022 season.

Horsey was fine at the position, but it’s not one he could play at the next level. It also forced Jager Burton to play a year too soon. It’s not a knock on the Lexington kid’s talent or potential; most offensive linemen need at least two years before working their way into the starting lineup. The results were a disjointed offensive line operation that struggled to protect the passer, allowing 46 sacks (t-126 in FBS) this fall.

This year Kentucky quickly found a left tackle in the transfer portal, Marques Cox. Even though he will be new to the Big Blue Wall, the Northern Illinois transfer has played 36 games at the position. After suffering a season-ending injury in a game at Kentucky last fall, he’ll be healthy enough to get integrated with the rebuilt offensive line this spring.

Experience and Leadership Matters

The most experienced Kentucky offensive lineman on the roster, Horsey has played in 38 games and has tallied 33 starts. He has been a part of some of the best offensive lines in school history, and one of the worst. He’s one of the last holdovers from the John Schlarman era. Kenneth Horsey’s mere presence provides confidence that the hard-nosed mentality of the Big Blue Wall can in fact return.

It probably comes through in his interviews, but if you can’t tell, he’s an excellent communicator. Now back inside, he’ll be in constant contact with the center and new left tackle. The biggest problem the 2022 offensive line faced wasn’t the blitz, it was common twists and stunts that weren’t properly communicated between one another.

In addition to what he provides in the trenches, he will be one of the oldest heads in the building next year. As the team wraps up warm-ups before every game, they meet in the end zone for one final big huddle. Kash Daniel and Josh Paschal used to be the guys in the middle of that huddle. This year Kenneth Horsey was the one speaking to the team. Keeping that guy around for another year can only be considered a positive.

Current Projected Starting Offensive Line

  • LT: Marques Cox (Super Senior)
  • LG: Kenneth Horsey (Super)
  • C: Eli Cox (Redshirt Senior)
  • RG: Jager Burton (Redshirt Sophomore) or Tanner Bowles (Redshirt Senior)
  • RT: Jeremy Flax (Redshirt Senior)

Is there a Consensus All-American offensive tackle or an NFL All-Rookie center in this group? Probably not, but you can see a pathway to success for the Big Blue Wall. Horsey and Cox can fortify the left side of the offensive line. As for the other three positions, there’s no guarantee that every returner will improve. Tanner Bowles provides some insurance in case that doesn’t happen at the interior offensive line positions. Kentucky could use some more of that insurance at right tackle by finding another body in the transfer portal.

The Big Blue Wall fell far short of expectations in 2022 thanks to coaching changes and a convoluted offense. For the first time in a long time, there will be a constant leading the way with Zach Yenser and Drake Jackson returning to the OL room for a second season. It’s their job to ensure these former four-star recruits and experienced blockers play like it in 2023.

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2024-03-28