Kentucky Football: 5 reasons to be optimistic about 2019 season

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ORLANDO, FL – JANUARY 01: Josh Allen #41 of the Kentucky Wildcats get ready prior to the VRBO Citrus Bowl against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Camping World Stadium on January 1, 2019 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

3. The defensive line is deep and that’s a big deal

This team is losing the best defender they have seen in decades and that is not at all an exaggeration. Linebacker Josh Allen was the center of an overall extremely strong defense for the Wildcats. However, now he is headed for the NFL and this team has quite a bit to do in terms of filling his shoes.

What they don’t have to worry about though is filling the holes on the defensive line left by Tymere Dubose and Adrian Middleton — both seniors who are headed to the NFL Draft.

Mark Stoops used what is called the platoon system, meaning that there was a lot of shared playing time for the Wildcat defense last season. Each position had at least two guys that saw regular playing time and that ideal will help this team fill those two holes left by Dubose and Middleton.

With Josh Paschal returning from his cancer diagnosis and likely moving to defensive end. His abilities will be big in replacing Josh Allen- the afore mentioned star of the defense and leader of the team in sack totals. That being said, while you are getting excited about Kentucky football — go read Paschal’s story because it will get you all the more excited.

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