To team in the Southeastern Conference ran the ball better than the Kentucky Wildcats in 2019 and that in large part was due to their outstanding offensive line.
In particular, Kentucky’s interior offensive line consisted of all-conference performers and in 2020, bring back two starters and have promising young talent to replace NFL Draft pick and four-year starter at offensive guard Logan Stenberg.
Here is a more in-depth look at Kentucky’s offensive guards and centers for 2020.
Drake Jackson (#52) prepares to snap to Terry Wilson (#3) Photo Brandon Turner.
Center: Drake Jackson #52
Class: Senior
Height/Weight: 6-2, 310 lbs.
Hometown/High School: Versailles Ky., Woodford County
247 Recruit Rankings: 4-star, No. 2 Center in 2016
Central Kentucky native Drake Jackson will put the finishing touches on a remarkable college career in 2020. Jackson is entering his third season as the Wildcats starter and has not missed a game start 2017.
Last year, he was named First-Team All-SEC by AP, helped Kentucky set single-season school records with 3,624 rushing yards, 36 rushing touchdowns, and 6.3 yards per carry and co-SEC Lineman of the Week after his outstanding performance against Vanderbilt.
He is likely to be among the first centers taken in the 2021 NFL Draft and with a strong senior season, he can further solidify his draft stock while also helping guide Kentucky to another winning season.
Quintin Wilson recruiting poster from 2017. Photo via Quintin Wilson on Twitter.
Center: Quinton Wilson #60
Class: Redshirt Sophomore
Height/Weight: 6-1, 309 lbs.
Hometown/High School: Cincinnati, Ohio, Turpin
247 Recruit Rankings: 3-star, No. 12 Center in 2018
Quinton Wilson is entering what will likely be his final season as Kentucky’s backup center. After sitting behind Drake Jackson the last two seasons, Wilson is set for one more year of learning before taking the keys to the starting gig.
In 2019, Wilson appeared in five games and took home Dean’s List honors in the Fall Semester. He also took home Dean’s List Honors in the Fall of 2018 while appearing in the Wildcats 56-10 victory over Louisville.
Tyler Couch head shot. Photo: UK Athletics
Center: Tyler Couch #62
Class: Junior
Height/Weight: 6-1, 268 lbs.
Hometown/High School: Paintsville Ky., Paintsville
247 Recruit Rankings: Unranked
Tyler Couch enters his Junior season as a walk-on at Kentucky. Couch is the son of the late All-SEC defensive tackle Joey Couch and chose the Wildcats over Centre College and Georgetown College.
He made his collegiate debut last season in UK’s 50-7 victory over U-T Martin.
Sawyer Carrier at LCHS. (Photo courtesy of Megan Renner and LCHS Quarterback Club)
Center: Sawyer Carrier #72
Class: Sophomore
Height/Weight: 6-5, 303 lbs.
Hometown/High School: Stanford Ky., Lincoln County
247 Recruit Rankings: Unranked
Stanford, Kentucky native Sawyer Carrier will enter his second season as a preferred walk-on with the Wildcats.
He played both tight end and defensive end in high school but is playing the center position at the college level. Carrier will look to make his Wildcat debut in 2020.
University of Kentucky linemen Darian Kinnard, left, and Luke Fortner on the field during Kentucky’s 38-24 win over Toledo Saturday, Aug. 31, 2019 at Kroger Field in Lexington, Ky. Photo by Brian Simms Lexington Hearld-Leader
OG: Luke Fortner #79
Class: Senior
Height/Weight: 6-6, 305 lbs.
Hometown/High School: Sylvania, Ohio, Sylvania Northview
247 Recruit Rankings: 3-star, No. 115 Offensive Tackle in 2016
While listed as an offensive tackle, Luke Fortner started all 13 games at right guard for the Wildcats last season and figures to stay inside in 2020.
Fortner had a stellar Junior campaign as he did not miss a single assignment, allowed only one sack, and had committed just one penalty in 646 plays.
He will look to build off his standout season with another strong year in 2020 and perhaps sneak onto NFL Draft boards.
Kenneth Horsey (#68) (Vicky Graff Photo)
OG: Kenneth Horsey #68
Class: Redshirt Sophomore
Height/Weight: 6-3, 292 lbs.
Hometown/High School: Sanford, Fla., Sanford Seminole
247 Recruit Rankings: 3-star, No. 53 Offensive Guard in 2018
Kenneth Horsey is expected to be the lone new starter on Kentucky’s offensive line in 2020 as Logan Stenberg is now a Detroit Lion.
Horsey, who survived open-heart surgery, redshirted in 2018 and appeared in five games last season, including in the Wildcats Belk Bowl victory over Virginia Tech.
He will look to fill the big shoes of Stenberg and keep Kentucky’s offensive line ranked among the best in the nation.
R.J. Adams. Photo via R.J. Adams on Twitter.
OG R.J. Adams #TBD
Class: Freshman
Height/Weight: 6-3, 325 lbs.
Hometown/High School: Woodbridge, Va., Woodbridge
247 Recruit Rankings: 3-star, No. 26 Offensive Guard in 2020
R.J. Adams will be the lone true freshman among Kentucky’s interior offensive lineman. The Virginia native originally committed to Penn State but later flipped his commitment to the Wildcats and figures to be a future starter in Lexington.
Adams was named All-American offensive lineman in High School and played in the Under Armour All-America game back in January.
Eli Cox. Photo: Eli Cox on Twitter.
OG: Eli Cox #75
Class: Redshirt Freshman
Height/Weight: 6-4, 306 lbs.
Hometown/High School: Nicholasville, Ky., West Jessamine
247 Recruit Rankings: 3-star, No. 73 Offensive Guard in 2019
Eli Cox enters his second season with the Wildcats, looking for playing time. The Nicholasville native played in just one game as a true freshman last season to preserve a redshirt year.
Cox figures to likely backup Fortner at left guard and is in line to take the starting job in 2021 with Fortner in his final college season.
OG: Ryan Bryant #74
Class: Sophomore
Height/Weight: 6-4, 290 lbs.
Hometown/High School: Ashland Ky., Paul Blazer
247 Recruit Rankings: Unranked
Ryan Bryant enters his second season as a walk-on with the Wildcats.
Bryant was a two-sport star at Paul Blazer High School, excelling both on the gridiron and basketball court. He will provide Kentucky with further offensive line depth in 2020.
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