2020 UK OL
Seniors
Drake Jackson
Luke Fortner
Landon Young
Juniors
Austin Dotson
Darian Kinnard
Naasir Watkins
Sophomores
Quintin Wilson
Kenneth Horsey
Nick Lewis
Redshirt freshmen
Eli. Cox
Jake Pope
True freshmen
Deonte Buford
Joshua Jones
John Young
probably 1 more
I believe Kinnard is a future NFL RT. We already know Jackson and Landon Young are all-conference type talents, although I believe the best days of their UK careers still lie ahead. Both could push for early round consideration in the 2021 NFL draft, although I am not buying current gossip that either will leave UK for the next draft as juniors.
The biggest overachiever on our OL has been Fortner, who has had a very solid season. Fortner has a great frame. With another offseason in the gym, Fortner should be even better in 2020.
Wilson, Horsey, Dotson, and Lewis are interesting players who have not yet had opportuniies for significant playing time. For some of them, that will begin to change in 2020. Horsey and Dotson should be in the spring competition to replace Logan Stenberg next season. Wilson, a high upside player from Cincinnati, is the heir-apparent for Jackson’s starting job in 2021. Lewis is a boom or bust type of LT prospect with a huge frame and very long arms.
John Young, who looks like a future LT starter, is the best OL verbal so far in our 2020 class. Joshua Jones, who holds LSU and UT offers, is the most underrated. Deondre Buford is a legitimate Power 5 talent with a big upside, but his future position on our OL (OT or OG) is not clear yet. One more commitment is probably coming, and RJ Adams is the first prospect to watch. If Adams signs with UK, he could work his way into the August competition to replace Stenberg at LG.