No Hard Feelings for Eric Wolford from Former Kentucky Offensive Linemen

Eric Wolford’s abrupt departure from the University of Kentucky ruffled some feathers at the Joe Craft Football Training Facility. This week the former offensive line coach was still taking strays from Mark Stoops. “That was a hell of a group a year ago. I could’ve coached them,” the head coach joked.

While there may be animosity in Lexington, future pros at the NFL Combine share no ill-will to their former position coach.

“I was surprised, but he’s a great guy,” said offensive tackle Dare Rosenthal.

“I didn’t know he actually left until a couple days after at the Senior Bowl. I felt a little upset about it, but at the end of the day, everything’s business,” added Darian Kinnard. “College is a business, NFL is a business. He got offered more money to go somewhere else and at the end of the day, his family comes first. It makes sense. We all have a job, we all are doing a job to take care of our family and if you get paid more to do it somewhere else, then do it.”

Wolford transitioned from Kentucky to Alabama in the middle of a recruiting trip. Even though he moved on to receive a raise in Tuscaloosa, he still keeps in contact with the players he coached at Kentucky.

“I don’t know the exact details of all that,” said Luke Fortner. “I heard there was a pay-raise involve, so I kind of stay out of the politics of that one. But Coach Wolford and I are still close. We talk. He helped me get to this point and I’m very thankful for him.”

Yenser Receives Stamp of Approval

Fortner is one of the few former Wildcats who remained in Lexington to train for the NFL Draft. Still working to complete his MBA, he regularly runs into the new guy at the Joe Craft Football Training Facility. Fortner has enjoyed his time with Zach Yenser and has heard nothing but good things from Yenser’s former NFL colleagues.

“I’ve talked to Zach Yenser a lot. Great guy. The guys all love him. They’ve all had good reviews of him and he seems to be a guy who has similar values to Coach Schlarman.” Fortner added, “I’ve heard some good reviews from coaches around here, saying how good of an offensive line coach he is as well.”

In addition to Yenser, Kentucky also added Drake Jackson to the staff as the offensive line’s graduate assistant. During his time at Kentucky, coaching always felt like a natural fit. Even though he was not on the sidelines last season, he played a role in easing Fortner into his old position at center. Now he’ll be tasked to do the same with Eli Cox.

“He’s been helping me out a lot. He’s been coaching me up. I had big shoes to fill. I hope I came close,” said Fortner. “He’s going to be a great offensive line coach. I’m really excited for him.”