Mark Stoops sees growth, depth with offensive line: “I like that group.”

Offensive line play simply hasn’t been strong enough for Kentucky in recent years, the Big Blue Wall held together with duct tape and glue with depth, discipline and talent holding back the unit. A coaching change was made with assistant Eric Wolford returning while also adding the likes of Jalen Farmer, Gerald Mincey and Anfernee Crease to expedite the rebuild. Factor in key returning veterans — Eli Cox, Courtland Ford and Marques Cox being the headliners — along with the development of young talent, and you can see the vision there.

No news has been good news throughout fall camp, offensive line play typically best when gone unnoticed. The alternative is sacks and tackles for loss, playmakers unable to make plays. And we’ve heard of plenty of that.

Point being, the man in charge likes what he’s seen up to this point.

“I definitely feel like there’s growth,” Mark Stoops said of the offensive line on Monday. “I feel like there’s more depth than we’ve had, they’re more physical, just like you’d expect. We need to continue to work, but I like that group and I like the growth.”

That confidence aligns with that of Eli Cox this weekend to wrap up Kentucky’s second and final scrimmage of fall camp. He shared similar thoughts, praising his unit’s depth and development going back to the spring.

“I think we have a really talented group. This is one of the deeper offensive line rooms we’ve had in a long time,” Cox said. “We brought in some key transfers and we have some key guys coming back, as you all know. I’m very excited with where we are.”

It may have been a controversial departure and return for Coach Wolford, but Cox is pleased with their work together, as well. That transition has inspired plenty of confidence in the room — much-needed considering where things have been.

“I’m happy with the work we put in with Coach Wolf since he got here in the spring, and the reps that we’ve been able to bank,” he said. “I’m very confident this group going into the year.”

That’s what you like to hear going into the season opener on August 31.

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