Kentucky D-Line Stronger Than Ever

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With spring practice officially behind us CatsPause.com takes a position-by-position look at the UK football roster. Today we'll look at the defensive line. Check out part one of the series about the offensive line.



Probable starters if season opened today: DE Farrington Huguenin (6-4, 272, Sr.), NG Melvin Lewis (6-4, 342, Sr.), DT C.J. Johnson (6-3, 297, Sr.)

Spring standout: Melvin Lewis was something of an afterthought in Mark Stoops' first recruiting class at Kentucky, joining the class after signing day in 2013 and then arriving late to preseason camp. Defensive coordinator D.J. Eliot described Lewis as "just a big kid, but not a very good player" upon arriving in Lexington. After redshirting in 2013 and starting all 12 games in 2014 Lewis has shed that label. "Nothing was given to him, and he didn't walk in here a good player," Eliot said. "He's a guy that may be the most improved player on our team from when he came in to where he's at now."

Other returning defensive linemen: DT Tymere Dubose (6-5, 307, RFr.), NG Matt Elam (6-7, 360, So.), NG Jacob Hyde (6-2, 333, So.), DT Regie Meant (6-4, 306, So.), DE Adrian Middleton (6-3, 294, RFr.), DT Zane Williams (6-4, 277, Jr.)

Newcomer to watch: Three-star junior-college transfer Courtney Miggins (6-5, 285, Jr.) was one of the few bright spots late in the 2015 recruiting cycle for Kentucky and will be counted on to play immediately this fall. Miggins could likely help at either the end or tackle spot. The staff is high on senior Farrington Huguenin, who has been blocked by Za'Darius Smith the last two years, but Miggins' could push Huguenin for a starting spot if he arrives on campus in proper condition.

Other 2015 signees: DE Kengera Daniel* (6-5, 250, Fr.), DT Javon Provitt (6-3, 305, Fr.)
*Enrolled early, participated in spring practice

Question mark: Former five-star recruit Matt Elam's quest to cut weight continues, but he was down to 360 pounds this spring. He hopes to be closer to 340 pounds in time for the season. At that weight Elam would likely build on his 10 tackles in 12 games as a freshman and would be able to play more snaps in relief of Lewis. There's no doubting Elam's talent, but how successful he is in changing his body will be key to cashing in on that recruiting hype.

Fall outlook: Replacing Za'Darius Smith remains a significant concern for the Wildcats, but the defensive line appears to be one of the team's strengths this fall, especially at the interior line positions. Lewis, Johnson, Elam and Meant provide a SEC-caliber rotation at the tackle spots, and if Miggins backs up his recruiting ranking the line could be even better. How Huguenin plays in an expanded role may be the x-factor for the unit. "We’ve got four or five guys in there that have that opportunity to be what we need," defensive line coach Jimmy Brumbaugh said.

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