Kentucky OT Darian Kinnard is an Outland Trophy Semifinalist

Darian Kinnard is one of the best blockers in America. Now the pride and joy of Kentucky’s Big Blue Wall is up for one of college football’s oldest and most prestigious honors.

Kinnard is one of six semifinalists for the Outland Trophy, given each year since 1946 to the nation’s top interior lineman. Only the Maxwell Award and Heisman Trophy are older than the Outland Trophy. The All-America Committee of the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA) selected the semifinalists from nominations by the entire membership. If Kinnard brings home the hardware, he’ll be only the second Wildcat to take home the honor. Bob Gain won the Outland Trophy in 1950.

Kinnard, a 6-foot-5, 338-pound mountain from Knoxville, Tennessee, has played in 43 career games with 36 consecutive starts at right tackle for Kentucky’s offensive line. Last week was one of his most dominant performances to date, earning SEC Player of the Week honors. A Midseason All-American, he is the only Power Five tackle who ranks among the nation’s top 10 in both run- and pass-blocking as evaluated by Pro Football Focus.

Unfortunately, this award is given to an offensive OR defensive lineman. Georgia’s Jordan Davis is one of the semifinalists. He could rob a bank, never play a snap of football again and still run away with the Outland Trophy. Hell, the defensive lineman may even get invited to New York for the Heisman Trophy ceremony.

Even though Davis is a virtual lock, the nod to Kinnard is out of respect. Hopefully they respect him enough to invite the Wildcat to the award ceremony this December at the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta. The list of six semifinalists will shrink to three finalists Nov. 23.