Offensive line tries to find cohesion in 2014
April 3, 2014
By Matt Overing | UK football beat writer
UK’s young offensive line found little consistency in 2013.
The Cats gave up an SEC-worst 37 sacks last season. And regardless of where blame is placed, improvement is needed.
Three players started each game for the Cats on the line: Junior Darrian Miller at left tackle, senior Kevin Mitchell at right guard and sophomore Jordan Swindle at right tackle.
At center, freshman Jon Toth started the second game of the year and never let go of the position.
Left guard was the most volatile position last season. Junior Teven Eatmon-Nared earned the first start of the year. Junior Max Godby received two starts. In the other nine games, it was sophomore Zach West earning the most playing time.
With Mitchell gone, Swindle said he hopes the unit plays together in 2014.
“We want to play more as a unit,” Swindle said. “As a group, we’re trying to eliminate the really bad mistakes and just play better as a whole.”
Freshman Ramsey Meyers redshirted last season and is expected to take Mitchell’s spot.
“Ramsey is coming in for Mitchell. I think he’s coming in and melding better than I expected,” Swindle said. “He’s coming along quick. He’s soaking in what I’m saying and he’s really improving.”
UK signed four offensive linemen in the 2014 class: Josh Krok (McKinley High School, Niles, Ohio), Jarrett LaRubbio (Lakota East High School, Middletown, Ohio), Nick Richardson (Westerville Central High School, Westerville, Ohio) and Jervontius Stallings (Spain Park High School, Hoover, Ala.).
Swindle said he wants to be the leader of the group.
“I’m trying to be that person that they can look to when they need someone,” Swindle said.
Toth has impressed Swindle early in spring practice.
“There’s glimmers of brilliance from all of them,” Swindle said. “But I’d say Jon, I saw him get after some people today, knock them down.”
Wednesday was the first day in pads for the team, and there were skirmishes at the beginning of practice. Swindle was right in the middle of it all.
“First day in pads, it’s football,” Swindle said. “That happens to me a lot, but that’s not because of who I’m going against. It’s football. I get angry. I always try to play physical.”
