By Joshua Huff

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UK football has been stuck in the cellar of the Southeastern Conference for the past five seasons. A position no team wants, UK looks to ascend the cellar steps this upcoming season with a mixture of new talent and familiar faces. With an incoming recruiting class ranked 23rd in the country  and returning talented skill players, the combination allows for a breath of optimism. However, numerous questions are being raised as to whether that will transfer to success on the field.

One aspect of the game that will not be questioned will be the return of a rejuvenated and experienced offensive line. The Cats offensive line will return four out of five starters from last season – sophomore center Jon Toth, junior right tackle Jordan Swindle, junior left guard Zach West and senior left tackle Darrian Miller.

The lines of communication will feed through Toth, a freshman All-SEC center last season. Toth returns to the center position after a successful offseason where he drastically improved his physicality and technical skills. He enters this season with a full offseason at center and the extra work paid off as Toth gained nearly 30 pounds and increased his endurance. Taking notice is offensive coordinator Neal Brown, who said that Toth was the most improved player during the spring camp.

“He’s doing a much better job,” Brown said. “He’ll be able to hold that line and get movement at the point of attack, which is important.”

Also impressed is his offensive line coach, John Schlarman.

“He’s had a tremendous offseason,” Schlarman said. “He had never played center until last year, plus he was learning a new offense. But he’s so smart. He’s done a great job early on putting us in a great position from that center position. He’s put on 25 pounds of muscle and still maintained his speed. So, I would have to say he’s the first name that comes to mind when I say most improved player.”

Leading the unit is the outspoken Swindle. Standing at six feet, seven inches and at 306 pounds, Swindle plays a position that is vital for the run game, an emphasis this season with an unproven quarterback but a deep backfield. Swindle looks to continue his success and has worked hard this offseason to hone his skill.

“Compared to spring of 2013 it’s been night and day,” Schlarman said of Swindle’s improvement. “It’s like two different guys, two different players. He’s taking his game to another level. On and off the field he’s becoming a leader for us, and could probably be thrown in there for the leader of the team.”

The biggest question mark on the line will be the play of West, who started all but three games last season despite undergoing shoulder surgery in the offseason. West suffered through a rough year on the left side of the ball, especially against faster and stronger defensive linemen.

“His (West) biggest issue last year was lateral movement,” Brown said. “When defensive linemen would move and he matched up against a defensive end he had issues.”

Stoops and Brown have been impressed with West’s improvement this offseason, believing that his consistency will be much improved this season.

Miller, a two-year starter at left tackle, is the blindside protector for the quarterback, a position that usually pits him against the opposing team’s best pass rusher. Miller has started every game the past two seasons after earning playing time during his freshman season, but is suspended for the season opener, where Swindle will move to left tackle and freshman Kyle Meadows will move to right tackle.

As they enter the season the offense will look to the experienced offensive line to bare the brunt of a tough in-conference schedule and carry a group of young but talented recruits out of the SEC cellar.

Schlarman believes his guys are up to the task.

“We have a lot more confidence as a whole unit, offensive unit,” Schlarman said. “Just having a year under our belts now, obviously there is less hesitation and doubt in their mind, assignment wise and technique wise. The second year is always better.  Our next objective is to get prepared and go out there and prove it on Saturdays.”