Cats' D-Line Adapting to 'Fast, Aggressive' Defense

The Kentucky defensive front, with several contributors returning, could be among the strong parts of the UK defense in 2026. Following Wednesday’s practice, Kentucky defensive line coach Anwar Stewart talked about his group and the defense as a whole.

“It’s dog days right now. We’re just grinding,” Stewart said. “(We’re) mentally tough. Coach (Will) Stein, he’s really pushing us as a staff and as a football team. It’s been great.”

Stewart likes that his group is fighting through the heat of summer while practicing.

“It’s been hot, which is awesome,” Stewart said. “Guys are sweating and getting after each other.”

The Cats are growing a bit restless, although Stewart believes they are not yet ready to face outside competition.

“We’re kind of almost tired of hitting each other,” Stewart said. “We’re ready to hit somebody else, maybe. Not quite there yet but the guys are really working.”

Stein is known as an offensive coach, having most recently served as the offensive coordinator at Oregon. Now, as a head coach, Stein must also focus on the defense. Stewart was asked how he interacted with the defense.

“He pushes it, he challenges us,” Stewart said. “He always comes in our meetings. He’s very smart. He will talk coverages. He’s a head coach and he knows ball. He knows what’s going on. He pushes us every day to be the best version of ourselves so that we can push our young men to be their best.”

Stewart likes the enthusiasm that Stein brings to the team and to each meeting and practice.

“A lot of energy. He’s on the microphone (during practice),” Stewart said. “The guys are all bought in. We’re just working each and every day.”

Just like his players, Stewart is adapting to a new scheme and a new style under Stein and defensive coordinator Jay Bateman. He was asked the difference between this year’s UK defense and that of the previous staff.

“This is a very aggressive, up the field defense,” Stewart said. “The guys love it. It fits every one of them. I think (Mi’Quise Humphrey-Grace) and Jaden Williams, it has really, really fit what they do. They’ve been playing really fast.”

Stewart believes that Bateman’s defensive scheme will allow the Kentucky defense to be more versatile.

“It’s fast, it’s physical. We can play fast, we can slow it down,” he said. “We could jump in and out of different defenses, different fronts. It’s very diverse and the guys are really taking on the challenge of learning it.

Stewart also likes what he has seen from some of his interior linemen as well.

“We’ve still got some big boys in the middle, with (Jamarrion) Harkless and (Dominic) Wiseman, and big (Kalen Edwards),” Stewart said. “It’s a great defense.”

The Cats defensive line figures to be one of the strengths of the defense, and Stewart is liking what he’s seeing from his unit so far this fall.