Football
The “Big Blue Wall” Is Key For Kentucky Football’s Goals In 2023
Published
2 years agoon

After years of having good offensive line play, including one of the best in the country in 2021, Kentucky’s offensive line had built a reputation for their consistency. However, the Big Blue Wall was taken for granted.
After losing three offensive linemen to the NFL, there was a glaring lack of experience going into the 2022 season and it was the Wildcat’s biggest weakness on the field. At the end of the season, they had allowed 47 sacks, which was the worst of any Power Five team and the third worst in the FBS.
As soon as the season ended, Mark Stoops and Co. prioritized rehauling the Big Blue Wall to the standard they had become accustomed to and brought in five transfers. After practice on Saturday, Offensive Coordinator Liam Coen was asked about how the Offensive Line has progressed so far, and says they are “getting there”.
“I think we’re getting there,” Coen said. “Extremely hard to tell with two practices without pads on. Do feel good about the guys that came in, simplifying protection and run schemes, so we can get really good at the things we want to major in. Then just have wrinkles.”
When talking about Quarterback Devin Leary, Coen says a lot of his success will hinder on the performance of the Offensive Line, saying “If we can keep him upright, we’ve got a chance.”
Coen’s emphasis on protection and run schemes has him confident in the direction of the Offensive Line just under a month out from the start of the 2023 season. Coach Stoops called QB Devin Leary a "very natural leader."
Coach Coen said Leary is "throwing the ball even better than he did this Spring and he feels extremely strong."
The Offensive Line will be KEY in protecting him this year. The OL is looking to get back to where it was…— Wyatt Huff (@Wildcat_wave) August 6, 2023
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Kentucky defensive tackle Deone Walker has been selected No. 109 by the Buffalo Bills in the fourth round of the 2025 NFL Draft. Round 4, pick 7 the @BuffaloBills select @deonewalker0.
📺 #NFLDraft2025 on NFL Network pic.twitter.com/nJ5JuitCAa— Kentucky Football (@UKFootball) April 26, 2025
Walker stands at 6-foot-7 and 331 pounds, making the former Wildcat one of the biggest defensive lineman not only in the draft, but in the history of the NFL.
Since earning a starting spot as a true freshman, to now exploding with excitement when he heard his name called, Walker’s unique blend of mobility and enthusiasm will cement him as one of the most beloved Kentucky players in program history.
Earning All-SEC honors and letting his disruptive play become the Wildcats’ identity, Walker will now cause terror for defensive coordinator Bobby Babich to go alongside his former teammate Maxwell Hairston, who was selected by the Bills in the first round. LETS GET ITTTTTTTT😝😝😝— MadMax ¹ᵏ (@MHairston22) April 26, 2025
Ray Davis also welcomed BBN to Bills Mafia moments after the selection. UK fans welcome to the mafia 🫡🫡— Re'Mahn Davis (@Ray_Davis07) April 26, 2025
The main worry about Walker not only has been his back injury that he played with all of last season, but what technique he’ll be able to play due to his stature that’s unlike any other.
However, even the NFL admitted that Walker could dominate the league.
Kentucky DT Deone Walker could be a difference maker in the trenches 💪@deonewalker0 | @UKFootball
📺: 2025 #NFLDraft – April 24-26 on NFLN/ESPN/ABC
📱: Stream on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/MnxJnxEsfp— NFL (@NFL) April 15, 2025
Before the draft, Walker visited with the Buffalo Bills, who emphasized interior pressure heavily last season, which is right up his alley. He’s been evaluated as one that can be a high-level backup or a potential starter as the season goes on.
The Bills are taking a swing with Walker, but many who watched him every Saturday at Kroger Field will tell you that this is a home-run pick.
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Kentucky cornerback Maxwell Hairston has officially started the next chapter of his career, selected No. 30 by the Buffalo Bills in the late first round.
At 6-foot-1 and 186 pounds, Hairston has come a long way since signing with the Wildcats as a 3-star prospect out of Michigan in 2021.
Although he missed five games this past season due to injury, Hairston was still selected to Second-Team All-SEC with 19 tackles, two forced fumbles, an interception and four deflections.
“Mad Max” took a huge jump in the draft boards after running the fastest 40-yard dash among cornerbacks in Indianapolis, completing the drill in just 4.28 seconds.
At 21 years old, Hairston brings a level of experience from the toughest conference in college football, the SEC, to go along with elite speed and length to make him a potential starter for defensive coordinator Bobby Babich.
As one of the few invited to the NFL Draft, Big Blue Nation had a good look at Hairston with his family before his name was called.
Ready to hear our guy's name called.
📺 #NFLDraft2025 on @nflnetwork pic.twitter.com/Nlv0gG1oxp— Kentucky Football (@UKFootball) April 25, 2025
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell called the former Wildcats’ name just before the night ended, making the West Bloomfield native’s dreams come true.
WELCOME TO BUFFALO, MAXWELL!!#NFLDraft | #BillsMafia pic.twitter.com/ao5F6Ui8LB— Buffalo Bills (@BuffaloBills) April 25, 2025
Ray Davis went to social media to share his excitement to have a familiar face in the locker room. Mannnnnn they got them UK boys out in Buffalo now 💙🤲🏾 @MHairston22 pic.twitter.com/dRBkrWqUZY— Re'Mahn Davis (@Ray_Davis07) April 25, 2025
The National Football League shared an emotional video of Hairston embracing his father after the Bills drafted him.
Maxwell Hairston embraces his father after being drafted by the Bills.#NFLDraft pic.twitter.com/uAWwhSjirO— NFL (@NFL) April 25, 2025
Time will tell how Hairston’s role will pan out in the league, but rest assured, “Mad Max” will go down as one of the best defensive players in the Mark Stoops era.
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Football
Running Back Revamp: Kentucky Adds Former Oklahoma, New Mexico State Transfer
Published
3 days agoon
April 23, 2025The Wildcats bolstered their backfield with the addition of former Oklahoma and New Mexico State running back Seth McGowan on April 20, per KSR’s Nick Roush. Kentucky has its guy.
Former Oklahoma and New Mexico State running back Seth McGowan is transferring to Kentucky. https://t.co/rdHERDHkhP pic.twitter.com/zOgmZTFYxX— Nick Roush (@RoushKSR) April 20, 2025
Standing at 5-foot-11 and 215 pounds, McGowan brings size and downhill power to Kentucky’s offense. Coming off a productive season at New Mexico State, he rushed for 823 yards and three touchdowns while adding 23 receptions for 277 yards and three more scores through the air.
A former four-star recruit in the class of 2019, McGowan originally signed with Oklahoma and logged 370 rushing yards, three touchdowns and 201 receiving yards with one touchdown during his lone season with the Sooners.
On May 7, 2021, McGowan was removed from Oklahoma following his involvement in a legal case in which he was arrested and charged with robbery, conspiracy to commit robbery and assault and battery with a dangerous weapon. The charges were ultimately dismissed, but he pleaded guilty to larceny from a person at nighttime in December of that year.
After a stint at NAIA school Texas College in 2022, where he did not see game action, McGowan continued his path back to Division I football, playing six games with Butler Community College before transferring to New Mexico State for the 2024 season.
Now, with his past behind him, McGowan has a chance to turn the page and contribute in a major way to the Wildcats’ offense.
Running backs coach Jay Boulware, who helped Oklahoma sign McGowan out of high school, likely played a role in bringing him to Kentucky, where he is expected to have one year of eligibility remaining.
Along with Nebraska transfer Dante Dowdell, McGowan could be a part of a versatile and punishing backfield tandem for the Wildcats. While Dowdell brings a physical, downhill rushing style, McGowan’s ability to contribute in both the run and pass game adds a dynamic layer to offensive coordinator Bush Hamdan’s pro-style system, which emphasizes balance and explosive playmaking.
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