Football
Darian Kinnard Named to Reese’s Senior Bowl All-America Team

Darian Kinnard Named to Reese’s Senior Bowl All-America Team

by Susan Lax

The postseason awards keep rolling in for Kentucky senior offensive tackle Darian Kinnard as he has been named to the third annual Reese’s Senior Bowl All-America Team, announced today by the organization.

The 29 Reese’s Bowl All-Americans are made up of college seniors uniquely selected based on the Reese’s Senior Bowl’s scouting staffs thorough a two-year evaluation process. The process consists of tape study, live game exposures, objective data, football character, personal character and trusted feedback from National Football League front office personnel.

Kinnard, a 6-foot-5, 338-pound mountain from Knoxville, Tennessee, is one of three Wildcats to accept an invitation to the Reese’s Senior Bowl set for Feb. 5, 2022 in Mobile, Alabama. Senior safety Yusuf Corker and senior defensive end Joshua Paschal have also accepted invitations.

Kinnard led the team this season at the right tackle position with 30 knockdown blocks. He also allowed only one quarterback sack in more than 350 pass plays. The first-team All-Southeastern Conference selection by Pro Football Focus and the league coaches, was a semifinalist for both the 2021 Rotary Lombardi Award, given to an offensive or defensive lineman who combines outstanding performance on the field with the character and discipline of NFL Hall of Fame coach Vince Lombardi, and the Outland Trophy, given to the nation’s most outstanding interior lineman. In addition, he earned first-team All-SEC honors by the league’s coaches and Pro Football Focus.

Under Kinnard’s leadership on the offensive line, the Wildcats’ offense is averaging 431.1 total yards per game, including 206.1 on the ground, and is averaging 6.57 yards per play, which would set a new school record for a season. According to PFF, UK leads the SEC in rushing yards before contact, averaging 2.6 yards per attempt.

Postseason Awards for Kinnard:
First-Team All-America (Reese’s Senior Bowl, CBS Sports)
First-Team All-SEC (PFF, Coaches)
2021 SEC Jacobs Blocking Trophy
 
Kentucky (9-3, 5-3 SEC) is headed to Orlando, Fla., for a school-record sixth straight bowl appearance. The No. 22 Wildcats have accepted a bid to play in the Vrbo Citrus Bowl and will face No. 15 Iowa Jan. 1 in Camping World Stadium. Kickoff is slated for 1 p.m. ET on ABC, ESPN Radio and the UK Sports Radio Network.
 
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