Bush Hamdan believes Kentucky's Big Blue Wall will return in 2025

Kentucky offensive line, defensive line, trenches — Kentucky in the trenches at spring practice, via Aaron Perkins, KSR

Kentucky has been at its best under Mark Stoops when the offensive line led the way. From 2016-21, an argument could clearly be made that the Wildcats has a consistent top-five offensive line room in college football. That position helped build a true identity in Lexington.

To say that the program has been missing that over the last three seasons would be an understatement. A top goal for the coaching staff has been to re-establish that Big Blue Wall standard. Stoops made building that room with big-ticket portal additions a priority in the offseason. The head coach then doubled-down by giving oft-criticized offensive line coach Eric Wolford a raise and contract extension in the offseason.

Kentucky is all-in and determined to fix the Big Blue Wall.

Offensive coordinator Bush Hamdan is buying the offseason progress. At the Lexington Kickoff Luncheon at Kroger Field on Monday afternoon, the play-caller and quarterbacks coach said that Kentucky’s new offensive line has led the team throughout the summer and is ready for a big season.

“This offensive line is going to remind us of the great offensive lines we’ve had here,” Hamdan told Tom Leach during an interview at the luncheon.

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Those are some strong words from the second-year play-caller. Kentucky was a finalist multiple times for the Joe Moore Award that recognizes the top offensive line in college football not that long ago. That kind of success simply has not been the case over the last three seasons as the Cats have fielded some of the worst offensive lines in the SEC. Kentucky rebuilt that room in the offseason with three transfers expected to be plug-and-play additions at left tackle, left guard, and right tackle. Returnees Jager Burton and Jalen Farmer will join Shiyazh Pete, Joshua Braun, and Alex Wollschlaeger in the starting lineup. Mark Stoops also shared confidence about the total group on Monday.

“I feel better about the depth,” Stoops said about the offensive line on Monday. “Certainly, you feel like you have eight guys that could start.”

Kentucky has spent a lot of money to fix the offensive line. This was a non-negotiable for the program after the 2024 season. The coaches seem to believe that this just might end up becoming the most improved position group in the SEC.