Kentucky Football 2015 Signing Class: Defensive Linemen [UPDATED]

[UPDATE TWO] It's being reported that Alvonte Bell has also signed with Kentucky. He was Joker's best recruit in his final class, and if memory serves, Mark Stoops wanted to keep him but Bell did not qualify. Yet another nice pick-up to finish out the defensive line group. Bell makes the fourth Mississippi JUCO defender since Mark Stoops has come on board (Za'Darius Smith and AJ Stamps too), but Jimmy Brumbaugh definitely has something to do with it as well given his previous employment among their ranks.

[UPDATE ONE] Today's last signee comes from JUCO defensive tackle Courtney Miggins. He hails from Pearl River CC in Mississippi. He reportedly chose UK over Mississippi State, but UK's immediate need for defensive linemen probably gave UK an edge in the end. All the sites list him as 6'5'', and two say he's now around 280 pounds. Coming in with that size is incredibly important. I haven't had the time to learn much about him, but those measurements and the immediate need at defensive end, leads me to think he'll be an immediate contributor. Subsequently, that lessens the pressure for Kengera Daniel to play early, and decreases the impact if Lloyd Tubman isn't able to return to the team.

The Kentucky Wildcats took two defensive linemen in the 2015 class. It's a small class, but insulating UK somewhat is taking five defensive linemen in 2014, and another four defensive linemen in 2013. The number of 2015 defensive linemen was likely meant to be larger, but losing tackle Davon Hamilton and defensive end Jason Strowbridge very late in the cycle changed matters. I wouldn't be surprised to see UK take a transfer - JUCO or FBS - to supplement this position in the next two or three years to even the roster out at in this group.

Kengera Daniel is a promising prospect who I think transitions to defensive end after spending time in UK's strength and conditioning program. He had a number of flattering offers, and also drew interest from several perennial Top 10 programs. Coming out of high school he already has great measurables at 6'5'' 250 pounds, even if those numbers tend to be a little inflated. Daniel enrolled early, and will almost certainly benefit from an early semester on campus. I initially thought Daniel would redshirt this season, but his early enrollment and depth at defensive end has caused me to reconsider. Farrington Huguenin likely inherits Za'Darius Smith's starting job, but after that there are question marks (i.e. Lloyd Tubman and Tymere Dubose). UK could probably move defensive tackles Regie Meant, Cory Johnson, or Adrian Middleton in a pinch, but the odds of Daniel playing early have probably increased since his October commitment. If he can beat out one or two guys, he'll likely find himself second string.

Javon Provitt has one of the more impressive highlight tapes of any of UK's signees in this class. Provitt will also arrive on campus this summer with good measurements for an incoming freshman. It's unlikely that Provitt will do anything but redshirt this season. His highlight tape shows him playing nose tackle, and UK already has two good ones at that position with Matt Elam and Melvin Lewis. A redshirt season would be good for Provitt to work on his technique, specifically his pad level which can never get as high in college as it does in his highlight tape. Still, his obvious athleticism for someone his size is impressive, and I'll be interested to see if he eventually cross-trains at defensive tackle in the seasons ahead.