Lexington, Ky – August 15, 2024 – Tim Letcher
During spring practice, the Kentucky defensive line was so thin due to injuries that the Cats could not have a traditional spring game. The numbers simply weren’t there for head coach Mark Stoops and his staff to hold such a contest.
After a summer to get healthy and a couple of weeks of fall camp, the defensive line seems to be coming along well, according to UK defensive coordinator Brad White.
“You can see the communication. So much is about communication and energy, so when guys are talking, when they’re flying around, they can go to their teammates to celebrate the good things they do, they’re there coaching them on the things they’ve done wrong. You feel the communication come off the sideline, so the guys on the side are getting mental reps because they are engaged.”
The defensive line has a number of veterans, including Deone Walker, Octavious Oxendine and Keeshawn Silver. Those players have been mentoring a group of young talent that includes redshirt freshman Kendrick Gilbert. The Indianapolis native spoke on Thursday about how that group has helped his progress.
“I would really say just taking their advice and really just sitting down and learning from those guys,” Gilbert said. “Having experienced guys like Deone, Keeshawn, Oxendine, you can really learn a lot. Being hurt last December, I kind of missed football, I was sitting back trying to learn from those guys.”
Gilbert said that the defensive line group is very tight and that they are all helping one another.
“We actually have a close bond in the D-line room,” Gilbert said. “Group chats and when we’re out on the field, we really try to help each other get better. There’s no selfishness in the group. Coach Stew is really great with us, teaching us life lessons as well.”
Gilbert, who had offseason shoulder surgery, will likely be counted upon to contribute this season, with Josaih Hayes and Tavion Gadson still in the healing process.
“With Josaih Hayes and Tayveon Gadsden out, I had to come in. It’s been hard but kind of getting my strength back, putting weight on, I’ve been getting better. Now I’m trying to stack those days.”
One of the things that Gilbert has been fighting is putting on weight that he lost during his injury.
“When I had shoulder surgery, I probably dropped 20, almost 30 pounds,” Gilbert said. “So right now, I’m back up to 270, trying to get to 275. Putting that muscle mass on has helped me a lot.”
Another player who has gotten back to an ideal weight this summer is Oxendine. White likes what he sees from the veteran so far in fall camp.
“You’ve seen the added weight show up,” White said. “You’ve seen the strength that it brings, the power, the girth that it brings. He’s back to where he needs to be to function at a high level and where he was functioning before the LSU game in ’21. There’s a couple of plays in practice that he made today, specifically, in some situational things that were like, oh that’s the Ox we need right there. That can help change a game, that can close out a game, we need that.”
The defensive line continues to improve and get health during fall camp. A mix of veterans and young talent should help the Cats during the 2024 season.
