Spring Spotlight: Defensive Line

[Matt Dillon]

Preparations for the 2026 college football season are underway at the Joe Craft Football Training Facility. In a few short weeks, cleats will be hitting the grass practice fields and/or the turf at the Nutter Field House as Kentucky head coach Will Stein gets set to begin his first spring practice as the leader of a program. There will be a lot of new for the Wildcats in 2026 but the defensive line will be led by a very familiar face.

Former Kentucky defensive end Anwar Stewart is now in year nine on staff and his seventh consecutive years as the defensive line coach in Lexington. The 50-year-old was the only position coach retained by Stein. UK went to the transfer portal to address some defensive line needs this offseason but retention in this room was important. The Cats return some big pieces who will be expected to lead the way in the trenches this season.

Spring Spotlight: Defensive Line - On3

[Jaxcat]

When I looked at the KSR article, I thought surely they missed some folks. Otherwise, we're going to be really thin at DL. Further into the article it explained that they omitted several players who may end up at Edge/flex types of DL purposely. Glad I read the whole thing.

I would expect the DL to be more disruptive and creative than previously. With 4 down, I believe you can stunt more, shoot gaps more, concentrate on the DL making plays instead of just absorbing bodies. If I were a DL on the team, I would be very excited to have a new scheme which wants and expects more from the DL than holding up blockers so others can make the tackle.