'Connected' Offensive Line Unit Continues to Make Progress
Kentucky offensive line coach Cutter Leftwich has worked with his unit through the spring and summer, and now has the group in fall camp, preparing for the 2026 season. The Cats have been able to get in pads recently, and Leftwich likes how the team has reacted to that.
“Good. I think you see the physicality. You can do a lot nowadays with walk-throughs and stuff in the summer, but (with pads on) you see the physicality,” Leftwich said. “You really get to see how guys’ bodies have changed throughout the summer. We put pads on, you see guys being able to go out there and play really physical football, but also not losing the details that we’ve really installed throughout the summer and the first couple of days of camp.”
Leftwich knows that there will be miscues during the fall, but he wants his players to learn from their mistakes.
“There’s some here and there, but I think the one thing about the group that we have is they’re really sharp mentally,” Leftwich said. “There are mistakes every day, we’re going to make a mistake here and there but continue to build and to challenge those guys to have that one-play focus. We made a mistake, what’s you’re response going to be? Not letting that one play turn into two.”
Leftwich thinks this particular group of guys has a special bond.
“I think the one thing about our unit is that we’re really close,” Leftwich said. “Off the field, those guys hang around each other. They’re a very connected unit. I think it starts with our connection off the field and that’s showing up on the field with the different lineups we’ve been able to play with.”
Leftwich was asked what he thinks his unit does best and how the players can learn from each other.
“I think that’s through repetition,” Leftwich said. “I think that’s being able to talk and be able to watch film together. Being able to see the game with one set of eyes. I think that’s just through practice and what we have to do every single day. I think we started that process in the spring and (is) continuing, to be able to find out what we do best.”
While several offensive lineman have been vocal during practices, Leftwich believes that center Coleton Price is the leader of the group.
“Coleton Price has been able to lead this unit since he got here,” Leftwich said. “You hear his voice and (he) continues to push guys like Lance (Heard) and Mal (Malachi Wood).”
The UK offensive line looks to be one of the strengths of the team, with both talented and experienced players contributing to the cause.
