3 Kentucky football defensive linemen expected to miss most, if not all, of 2024 season

The Kentucky football team opened preseason camp this week with most of the players expected to be counted on in the two-deep depth chart available.

But one position continues to be affected by long-term injuries.

Defensive linemen Josaih Hayes, Tavion Gadson and Darrion Henry-Young will all miss an extended period of time, Stoops announced at his Friday news conference. Stoops clarified those injuries, as well as one to freshman cornerback Quavo Marshall, could be season-ending.

Both Hayes and Gadson play nose guard, adding questions about the depth behind projected starter Keeshawn Silver.

Linemen Deone Walker, Tre’vonn Rybka and Kahlil Saunders could play some nose guard in addition to their normal responsibilities at tackle or end. UK also added junior-college transfer Dennious Jackson, who is listed at 6-foot-5 and 335 pounds on the roster, as a late addition to the 2024 recruiting class this summer.

UK was Jackson’s only FBS scholarship offer.

“He’s a guy we needed to add for that very reason,” Stoops said of Jackson. “We just felt like we took some hits at that specific position. Even as we want to be physical, get through camp, he’s a big body that we needed.”

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