Spring practice means there are starting jobs up for grabs across the country, and the SEC is no different. We continue our team-by-team look at the conference’s top position battles with Kentucky.
1. Linebacker: The Wildcats were already thin at linebacker with the departures of Josh Forrest, Ryan Flannigan and Khalid Henderson this offseason, but they got even thinner when starter Jason Hatcher was arrested and subsequently dismissed from the team last month. That means the position is truly wide open this spring. Both Josh Allen and Jordan Jones saw limited action last year as freshman and should take on a bigger role this season. However, it wouldn’t be surprising to see a pair of transfers – Courtney Love (Nebraska) and De’Niro Laster (Minnesota) – win starting jobs before the first game. Love is already penciled in as the starting middle linebacker, and though Laster has been working with the second group this spring, the coaches have been impressed with his ability to get to the quarterback.
2. Left tackle: The good news is Kentucky only has to replace one starter on offense from a year ago. The bad news is that starter was left tackle Jordan Swindle. Between Swindle and Darrian Miller, the starter before him, the left tackle position has been locked down ever since Mark Stoops arrived in Lexington. That’s not the case this spring. The natural replacement would be Swindle’s backup from last year, Cole Mosier. The former walk-on has experience, and he’s been running with the first-team offense in practice so far. But don’t count out junior-college transfer Tate Leavitt. Ranked No. 33 in the ESPN JC50, Leavitt had offers from the likes of Alabama, Auburn and Oklahoma, and some believe he’ll eventually overtake Mosier. Also, it’s rare to see a true freshman start on the offensive line, but ESPN 300 offensive tackle Landon Young might be in the mix when he arrives this summer.
3. Quarterback: Drew Barker should be the guy. He took over for Patrick Towles late last season, causing Towles to transfer, and though he struggled in the season finale against Louisville, the expectations remain high for the former ESPN 300 quarterback. Barker was a major recruiting coup for Stoops and the Kentucky staff, and they’re hoping he can fulfill his potential this coming season. But ... the Wildcats signed junior-college transfer Stephen Johnson in December with every intention of having him push Barker for the starting job. He was sought out by new offensive coordinators Eddie Gran and Darin Hinshaw, so obviously he fits what they want to do on offense. And while his strength was a concern, he’s already put on 15 pounds since he first arrived on campus. Barker is still likely to win the job, but he’s going to have to earn it.
