Darian Kinnard earns high praise heading into next season

With Landon Young, Logan Stenberg and Drake Jackson heading to the NFL, the Big Blue Wall continues continues to prepare offensive linemen for the next level of football.

Behind the offensive line, the Kentucky Wildcats set numerous rushing records as well as leading he program to a new echelon among SEC powers. Thankfully, recruiting has been so strong that no drop-off on the horizon.

Looking into the 2021 football season, Darian Kinnard has been ranked as one of the top five tackles in the country according to 247 Sports. He is joined on this list by Ohio State’s Thayer Munford, Alabama’s Evan Neal, Georgia’s Jamaree Salyer, and Northwestern’s Peter Skoronski.

That is a huge honor for Kinnard, who is sure to be showered with preseason praise going into 2021, including being labeled the best run-blocking tackle next season.

We have yet to see what new offensive coordinator Liam Coen has planned for this offense, but you have to think that Kinnard is a huge part of the scheme that will feature a quarterback to be named later and running back Chris Rodriguez.

Kinnard may be the anchor of the Big Blue Wall in 2021, but he is not alone. This group continues to grow in talent and depth, and it has become a primary strength of the Wildcats year in and year out.

Stay tuned for more preseason honors and predictions for Kinnard and all other Wildcats on the roster. This may be a special season.