Kentucky has a Top 3 Offensive Line according to CBS Sports

Kentucky Football developed a reputation for strong offensive line play under the late, great John Schlarman during the Mark Stoops era. The Big Blue Wall crumbled a bit in recent years, but Will Stein made rebuilding it a priority when he took over in December. Those efforts have not gone unnoticed. CBS Sports’ Blake Brockermeyer ranked the top ten offensive lines going into the 2026 season. Kentucky not only made that list but is in the top three, coming in third behind Georgia and Ohio State. I hear those teams are pretty good. Brockermeyer loves the unit’s upside, which could pave the way for Kenny Minchey and the Cats in Stein’s first season. Even though most of the line was built from the transfer portal, he started his praise with a returning player: junior Malachi Wood, whom he expects to start at right tackle. “Kentucky has quietly assembled a talented roster, led by an offensive line that should be one of the Wildcats’ strengths this season,” Brockermeyer wrote. “Malachi Wood is a massive, yet nimble right tackle with nearly 400 career snaps. He has tremendous upside and an opportunity to emerge as one of the SEC’s breakout offensive linemen this season.” Former LSU Tiger and Tennessee Voluneteer Lance Heard is the most ballyhooed addition, ranked No. 31 in ESPN’s latest portal rankings. Brockermeyer may be even higher on senior center Coleton Price, who started 30 games at Baylor and only allowed one sack last season. “Lance Heard arrives from Tennessee to protect the blind side. He brings more than 1,800 career snaps along with immense potential, but he needs to become more consistent and play with greater strain to maximize his talent. Coleton Price transfers in from Baylor with more than 2,200 career snaps and is one of my favorite centers in the country. He provides consistency in both the run and pass game and was an outstanding addition for the Wildcats.” Even though he played right guard at Ohio State, Brockermeyer has senior Tegra Tshabola penciled in at left guard. He complete the line with Alabama transfer Olaus Alinen, who played in 32 games at Alabama in a backup capacity. “Ohio State transfer Tegra Tshabola is expected to start at left guard. He brings a massive frame and nearly 1,500 career snaps. Tshabola is a strong run blocker who can struggle with speed and quickness in pass protection, but his experience in big games should provide a steady presence on the interior. Olaus Alinen gets his first opportunity to play a significant role after spending his career as a backup at Alabama. His versatility allows him to play tackle if needed, and I expect him to be a valuable addition up front.” From there, it’s a bit of a mystery, Brockermeyer writing simply, “Kentucky has very little proven depth behind its starting five.” If Tshabola starts at right guard, redshirt sophomore Aba Selm, junior college transfer Jordan Knox, and Tennessee transfer Max Anderson could compete at left guard. UTEP transfer Mark Robinson is expected to challenge Wood at right tackle. There is plenty for Cutter Leftwich to figure out, but it’s pretty cool to see Kentucky’s offensive line ranked in the top three when the unit has been cause of concern the last few seasons.