Led by likely future NFL first rounder Deone Walker, the defensive line room at Kentucky is packed with upperclassmen from Keeshawn Silver to Tre’vonn Rybka.
In fact, it’s the experience and bond of this group that is ramping up the confidence of returning players and helping the new ones adjust.
“We actually have a close bond in the D-line room, you know, group chats,” freshman Kendrick Gilbert said. “When we out on the field, we really try to help each other get better and it’s really no selfishness in that room.”
The defensive line holds friendly skee-ball competitions and visits the home of junior defensive edge Kahlil Saunders for food, continuing to build the friendships that translate to the football field.
“We was just having comradery last night,” veteran Octavious Oxendine said. “The D-line, we all came over (to) the house, had Rotel, cooked up a good dinner and stuff. It’s fun, we’re like a big ole family here, it’s a band full of brothers.”
Oxendine himself is a name with higher expectations going into the season, playing with added weight this year for the first time since returning from injury. With a few extra pounds he added strength, power and girth to his tool bag, according to defensive coordinator Brad White.
“There’s a couple of plays that he made in practice today specifically in some situational things that you’re like, ‘Ok, that’s the Ox we need right there’,” White said. “That can help change a game and that can close out a game. We need him to play like that.”
Outside of improving physically, returning from serious injury has also helped shape the mindset of the North Hardin graduate.
“It’s just something in life that you can’t shy away from, you gotta kind of embrace the trials and tribulations that God gives you,” he said. “I feel like it made me stronger as a person… just a minor setback.”
Between the sheer dominance of players like Walker and Silver, the perspective of Oxendine and the tight-knit bond the D-line has created, it’s likely that this could be the most consistent position group throughout the entire season.
The line will get its first taste of live action on Saturday, August 31, at Kroger Field against the Southern Miss Golden Eagles. That game is set to kick off at 7:45 p.m. ET and will air live on the SEC Network.
