Lexington, Ky – August 17, 2024 – Tim Letcher
There has been much discussion about the Kentucky football offense and new offensive coordinator Bush Hamdan this year. Discussion about the no-huddle, ability to play with tempo offense that Hamdan likes to employ.
As Hamdan, and nearly every other offensive coordinator in the game would tell the public, it all starts up front. Having a solid offensive line is the key to making the offense run with efficiency and success.
Kentucky has experience on the offensive line this season, led by returning center Eli Cox. After Saturday’s second scrimmage of fall camp, Cox was asked how he sees the offensive line coming together.
“I would say we’re off to a great start,” Cox said. “We’ve had a really solid camp. We always strive to improve on different things. There’s so many different situations you work on this late in camp that I think we’re trying to iron out the details on.”
Cox likes the depth and the talent in the group.
“I think we have a really talented group. I think this is one of the deeper offensive lines we’ve had in a long time,” he said. “We brought in some key transfers and we have some key guys coming back. I’m excited with where we are. I think the main thing is getting reps and getting into game shape. That’s not something you can do every day in practice, just for the wear and tear on guys playing football.”
The Cats do have some new faces on the line, specifically transfers Jalen Farmer and Gerald Mincey. How has Cox seen the new players acclimate themselves to their new school and a new system?
“I think it speaks a lot to them,” Cox said. “They’re both really professional guys. I think the relationships we’ve built and the camaraderie we’ve had between those guys has been huge. I’m really glad we have those guys here.”
Cox believes that, with a number of new guys contributing, playing together and working with each other is very important.
“It’s all about just getting reps together. We have new guys who transferred in playing guard, playing tackle,” Cox said. “Just getting those reps, working the chemistry and the communication, knowing how I relay calls to them. Getting reps and knowing how guys fit on different combination blocks, knowing what each guy is seeing. Just that chemistry you need with all five guys, you just need reps at it. I think we’ve done a really good job through summer OTAs, spring ball and fall camp building that cohesion as a group and I think it will continue to get better.”
As for new quarterback Brock Vandagriff, Cox likes what he has seen from the Georgia transfer.
“I’ve had the opportunity to play center for three different quarterbacks who play the game in different way and all bring different attributes,” Cox said. “Will (Levis) was just big, strong presence, strong leader, big runner. Devin (Leary) was just a nice guy who had great touch on the ball, he’s a different quarterback than Will. Brock is his own guy. He brings some physicality, some running aspect. He’s working on growing that leadership role. This is his first time being that starting guy going into week one. He’s done a good job of building on that role and building relationships with the guys.”
It all starts up front for the Cats, and Cox likes where his unit is with just two weeks until the season opener against Southern Miss.
