Lance Heard Named to Outland Trophy Preseason Watch List
Senior offensive lineman Lance Heard has been named to the preseason watch list for the Outland Trophy, given to the nation’s top interior lineman.
Heard, a 6-foot-6, 325-pound offensive lineman from Bonita, Louisiana, transferred to Kentucky after two seasons at Tennessee (2024-25) and one season at LSU (2023), and enters the 2026 season as one of the Wildcats’ key additions on the Big Blue Wall. He has played 35 career games and made 24 starts. Heard has seen action on more than 1,700 snaps and allowed just three sacks overall. He was named to the All-Southeastern Conference Third Team after making all 12 starts at left tackle for the Volunteers in 2025.
Heard already has earned preseason honors from the media contingent at SEC Media Days (second team), as well as Athlon Sports (second team) and Phil Steele (third team).
The semifinalists for the Outland Trophy will be announced on Nov. 18, followed by a joint announcement with ESPN of the three finalists on Nov. 24. The 81st recipient of the Outland Trophy will be announced on The Home Depot College Football Awards, live on ESPN in December. The official presentation to the winner will be made at the Outland Trophy Awards Dinner sponsored by Werner Enterprises and produced by the Greater Omaha Sports Committee in Omaha, Nebraska, on Jan. 27, 2027.
The football season will kickoff in one month, as Kentucky will host Youngstown State Sept. 5 at 1 p.m. ET in Kroger Field on SEC Network+.
Primary inventory single-game tickets for all Kentucky home games are now on sale online through Ticketmaster and UKFootballTix.com.
For fans planning to attend multiple games this fall, season tickets continue to offer the best value and guarantee access to all home games at Kroger Field. Season tickets remain available, including fewer than 110 seats remaining in the brand-new North Upper Level Chairback sections.
Fans also may purchase 3-, 4- and 5-game mini-pack options, providing flexibility while securing seats for some of the season’s most anticipated matchups.
