Kentucky Offensive Line Named to Joe Moore Midseason Honor Roll
The Kentucky offensive line has been named to the midseason honor roll for the Joe Moore Award, recognizing the most outstanding offensive line unit in college football, it was announced Wednesday.
Behind Kentucky’s talented “Big Blue Wall,” running back CJ Baxter ranks second in rushing touchdowns (8) and fifth in the Southeastern Conference in total rushing yards (484).
Offensive line coach Cutter Leftwich, assistant offensive line coach Dallas Warmack, senior offensive line analyst Adam Kleffner and graduate assistant coach Paul Rodriguez, have helped the Wildcats average 5.12 per carry, total 1,091 rushing yards and score 13 rushing touchdowns while allowing just 12 sacks.
All totaled, the Big Blue Wall has combined to play in 194 career games with 115 combined starts. Senior left tackle Lance Heard, on the Outland Trophy watch list, has started in 42 career games with 31 starts, while fifth-year right guard Tegra Tshabola has started in 35 of 49 career games. Center Coleton Price, on the Rimington Trophy watch list, has appeared in 38 games with 36 starting nods and senior left guard Olaus Alinen has appeared in 38 career games with six starts. Senior right tackle Malachi Wood has seen action in 27 career games and has 10 starts.
Against South Alabama, the Big Blue Wall opened holes to the tune of 390 net rushing yards and a trio of backs all eclipsed the 100-rushing total for the second time in program history. Pro Football Focus named three Wildcats to its College Team of the Week – Heard, Price and Tshabola. Heard also was chosen SEC Offensive Lineman of the Week for his performance in the win at South Carolina.
The UK O-line has helped power the Wildcats to a 5-1 record and a No. 15/17 national ranking.
After the semifinalists and finalists have been selected, a vote will be held to select the 2026 recipient of the Joe Moore Award by a voting body of 200-plus members. This voting body includes all of the current offensive line coaches at the Division I/FBS level, as well as former players, coaches, colleagues of Coach Moore and select media members.
In addition to reviewing game tape every week of the season, the Joe Moore Award voting committee will later go through each of the finalists’ season-long highlight reels and multiple back-to-back quarters of game film.
The Joe Moore Award is named after Joe Moore, widely regarded as one of the best offensive line coaches in college football history, most notably for his work at Notre Dame and the University of Pittsburgh. Coach Moore sent 52 players onto the NFL, including Bill Fralic, Mark May, Russ Grimm, Jimbo Covert and others. The Joe Moore Award trophy, crafted by legendary sports sculptor Jerry McKenna, is the largest trophy in college football, standing at a height of 6 feet and weighing in at 800 pounds. The perpetual trophy is made available for display by the winning university until the conclusion of the following college football season.
Find out more at joemooreaward.com and follow the Joe Moore Award on Twitter (@joemooreaward), Instagram (@joemooreaward), and Facebook (facebook.com/JoeMooreAward).
Kentucky returns to action Oct. 17 when the Wildcats travel to Oklahoma for the first time since 1980. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. ET and the game will be televised on SEC Network.
