Every college football team needs depth of the line of scrimmage. SEC coaches talk constantly about the need for bodies in the trenches. A young Kentucky player is emerging to make sure that the Wildcats have some key depth this season in a non-glamorous position on defense.
Purdue transfer Jamarrion Harkless and South Alabama transfer Dominic Wiseman were both added to the roster in January to give Kentucky some answers at nose tackle/one-technique defensive tackle. A returning player is quietly putting himself in position to also eat some snaps at this key position over a long season.
Kalen Edwards has made a splash this offseason.
“Kalen had a really good offseason. He’s probably lost 15-20 pounds. Gained some muscle. Kind of walks around with his shirt off now. I’m like, ‘Whoa, you’re not there yet.’ You know, that type of thing. Just a really good kid from Dyersburg, Tennessee. Good country kid. Does everything right. Just love him, and he’s just working hard. Only thing he does is works hard,” Kentucky defensive line coach Anwar Stewart said on Wednesday. “He comes to work every day. He’s always early, always late. Leaves late. And all the guys love him.”
“He’s making a lot of plays for us right now and we’re really excited about him.”
The former Auburn commit is now in year two at Kentucky after being retained by the new football staff in Lexington. Edwards gives the defense a big body to use at nose tackle. That’s important since there is a lack of true depth at the position. The Dyersburg (Tenn.) High product played 32 snaps last season and will have an increased role this fall.
Multiple players and coaches continue to speak highly of Edwards. His overall size stands out on the practice field and the weight room. Edwards likely won’t get much attention during the season but his importance to this team is very high. Kentucky needs him to eat blocks and record snaps. The young player has made strides this offseason and that has put him in position to play. The consistent work has caught the coaching staff’s attention.
“I think Big K is a super worker who has changed his body and is going to be a really good player in this front,” defensive coordinator Jay Bateman said on media day.