Ranking the 2026 Kentucky football position groups on confidence level

We have wrapped up our position group previews for the 2026 Kentucky Wildcats. Now, we will rank each unit based on confidence level for the upcoming season. This is not only based on overall confidence level, but also on the expectation that the respective unit will improve from last season. The Will Stein era is upon us and the Wildcats will look a lot different than what we have been accustomed to.

1. Offensive Line

That is right, the big blue wall should be a back to good form this season and rightfully so, as Coach Stein made it a priority to overhaul this group in year one. Kentucky is led up front by three experienced veterans in left tackle Lance Heard, center Coleton Price and right guard Tegra Tshabola; all three guys have played over 1,000 snaps in their careers. After that, I expect the starting roles to be filled out by left guard Olaus Alinen and right tackle Mark Robinson. This is a physically imposing offensive line, as all five projected starters weigh over 300 pounds and all are towering at 6'5 or more despite Price who is listed at 6'3; the position group lacks depth but the projected starters are a monumental upgrade for Kentucky.

2. Safety

The safety room is led by returning star Ty Bryant and Florida Gators transfer Jordan Castell. This is another position that lacks some depth, but that is the transfer portal era in a nutshell. Bryant and Castell form one of the most experienced tandems at safety in the country. Bryant is coming off a career season in which he earned second team All-SEC honors by the coaches and is looking to build off that momentum.

3. Tight End

This is a position group of strength that has multiple skillsets that are critical for Coach Stein's offense. Willie Rodriguez is a do-it-all tight end that is in for a massive season. Mikkel Skinner has ideal athleticism as a move tight end that can be used in multiple ways and Henry Boyer is that traditional blocking tight end that plays with physicality. At Oregon last season, Kenyon Sadiq and Jamari Johnson both had over 500 receiving yards so I expect this unit to be heavily involved in the passing game.

4. Quarterback

The days of Kentucky not having a high level signal caller are behind us. I don't expect Kenny Minchey to be in New York for the Heisman ceremony, but this room will take an obvious leap and the bar is not hard to clear. Every quarterback Coach Stein has helped develop have completed over 70% of their passes, thrown for over 3,500 yards and 30-plus touchdowns; two of his quarterbacks were Heisman finalists. Coach Stein does an exceptional job at developing his quarterbacks and crafting an offense to fit their strengths; I believe Kentucky will have their first 3,000 yard passer since Mike Hartline in 2010, if Minchey stays healthy.

5. Edge

The edge defender room could arguably be a little higher on this list. This unit on paper lacks a game wrecker, but it is loaded with depth and players that can win in different ways. Mi'Quise Humphrey-Grace is a big-bodied power rusher and Antonio O'Berry wins with his long arms. Lorenzo Cowan and CJ Works can both bend the edge, and at some point Sam Greene will return from injury and add to the rotation.

6. Defensive Tackle

This defensive tackle unit is one of the deeper position groups on the team, and could have a game wrecker emerge in Tavion Gadson. Gadson and LSU transfer Ahmad Breaux both have the ability to win as pass rushing three techniques. Jamarrion Harkless and Kalen Edwards have true nose tackle body types to clog the run game. Two Seniors in Jaden Williams and Dominic Wisman can provide some depth to this group as well.

7. Wide Receiver

The wide receiver room is flying under-the-radar with multiple unknowns that are full of potential. Nic Anderson can be a difference maker on the outside if he can stay healthy and return to his true freshman form we saw at Oklahoma. DJ Miller returns off a promising freshman campaign, he has earned the trust of the coaching staff and could be the leading pass catcher for the Wildcats this fall. Kenny Darby could become a true freshman phenom from the slot as a guy that is dangerous with the ball in his hands.

8. Linebacker

Kentucky has a group of about linebackers that have a good amount of upside despite some inexperience. Grant Godfrey is returning and expected to take on a much larger role than he did last season. Elijah "Bo" Barnes has tremendous upside transferring over from Texas where he spent his redshirt freshman season, but as a former top overall linebacker recruit the expectations are high. Antwan Smith and Tavion Wallace will rotate in at times, all four players are young with potential.

9. Running Back

Running back is the one room that has a large range of outcomes from boom to bust, as a lot of that will depend on the health of CJ Baxter and Jovantae Barnes. Baxter and Barnes have shown flashes but have a lengthy injury history. Jason Patterson and former safety Martels Carter will provide depth at the position. The good thing about this group is the offensive line can make life a lot easier if they live up to their potential.

10. Cornerback

Terhyon Nichols and Hasaan Sykes are the top two outside corners on the defense, they will be asked a lot of them this fall. As will slot corners Aaron Gates and Jaden Smith, but I think there is a higher confidence level among the slot corners with the skillsets they bring to the table. This group will be sent through a gauntlet of talented wide receivers on the schedule: Alabama's Ryan Coleman-Williams, Texas A&M's Mario Craver, Oklahoma's Isaiah Sategna, Tennessee's Braylon Staley, Louisville's Tre Richardson along with teams like LSU and Florida who have multiple players that can create separation. A tall task is ahead for this group, but the aggressive style of defense we expect from defensive coordinator Jay Bateman can still find ways to create problems for opposing offenses.

This article originally appeared on UK Wildcats Wire: Kentucky football position group ranking by confidence level